THE ENGINEER'S SIDE.

Thames Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 18480, 26 April 1932, Page 3

THE ENGINEER'S SIDE.

COMPREHENSIVE REPORT. Three Years' Working. AMOUNT OF EXPENDITURE." .COROMANDEL COUNTY. A comprehensive report upon three years' working In the Coromandel County was placed before the Coromandel County Council by the engineer (Mr G. T. Stewart) at the last meeting. The chairman, after the reading of the report, complimented the engineer on tne compi-ehensive nature of his statement which was endorsed by the whole Council. ■ This being the end of the present Council's period of office this report will be to review the activities in which they have been engaged. When first I joined the Council on January 1, 1929, there was much confusion, it was impossible for me to obtain any information, and, as a matter of fact, I was not allowed to attend the meetings. Many surprises awaited the new Council in connection with agreements and monetary liabilities; these matters occupied much of the Councillors' time, in some cases reductions were! allowed and agreements finalised. Councillors should be commended for the persistent and unbiassed consideration of all matters affecting the ratepayers.

There have been some high words but familiarity creates consideration for the other man's angle of vision. Anyhow, after all this setting in order the Council knows exactly where it stands and compared with other counties in New Zealand, its position is particularly good. if the Crown Lands were occupied, the Maoris made to cultivate their lands or else lease them to Europeans, the mud flats reclaimed with rice glass, the barren hills with saltbush, good roads made to open up places where boat services cannot be run, and all this could be done in five years, then Coromandel would be one of the wealthiest counties in New Zealand. This is all apart from gold mining, quarrying, afforestation, and the production of manures. As the ppoulation increases small farmlets will be successful as the climatic conditions are good, and we are only 4' miles from Auckland. This distanco could be covered in two hours with light draught steamers, as used on the American lakes and which are very inexpensive to operate. If this should eventuate there would be no need to lengthen the present" wharf, and it is quite within the bounds of possibility that the creek may be dredged and the boats come right into the town.

Since January 1, 1929, contracts have been prepared for works to the value of £17,500, the bulk of these being small works spread over the whole area and have consequently occupied much time. For some reason certain ratepayers are voicing the opinion that the engineer's services should be dispensed with. I have done a good deal to help this County and have not spared myself in time or expense. As a matter of fact, in addition to the 12i per cent, cut I have refrained from charging out of pocket expenses, to which I am entitled by agreement. I hold receipts for i 63, but there are many other expenses, telephone, board, boat and car fares, which are not included. However, the Society of Civil Engineers schedules the commission at 71 per cent. This is for surveys, plans and supervision; thero

are many other charges which are usually made. Say £17,500 at 11 per cent, this is £1225, which works out at £4OB per annum. Besides these works I have, had greater responsibility with maintenance of roads and bridges, to say nothing of the No. 5 Scheme, which occupies a good deal of time owing to the cumbersome circumstances of its administration; this at a low estimate is worth £l2 a month. In any case, my salary, when expenses are charged against it, represent approximately £250, and on top of this there is the unemployment taxation. I have to supply a motor car (the depreciation has cost £80), and surveying instruments; all my time is occupied by County work, hence I obtain no private practice. I have no other source of income, pension, superannuation or interest. As beforesaid, there is no objection to these drastic reductions, provided they help the other man, and if the assurance is firm that the original salary is forthcoming when Fortune's wheel revolves some more.

The chairman and I visited Auckland twice this month to try to speed up the unemployed gangs promised by the Labour Department. An assurance was given that at least 20 men would be sent on April 12; previously they were to arrive on March 25. All

arrangements were made on both occasions and all camps and equipment are awaiting them; even their tickets were sent to the Labour Department. Several men wanted work and I asked if they were registered. I am sure these men (some of whom were known to nse) were anxious to work and I told them to make up a party of not less than 30 or more than 90, then go to Mr Slaughter and he would give them tickets. I would meet them in Coromandel, give them lunch and would motor them to their camp, where everything would be in readiness. I cannot understand what prevents them; I have spend 10 years under canvas and can honestly say that my camps were very inferior to what is offered at Coroglen or Qpito. However, when their hysteria is over they will no doubt sober down to common sense. There is a lot of interesting and useful work ahead of them. I intend to train a gang for concrete construction and with proper and personal supervision I am sure I can replace our bridges with perma-

nent structures at a practical price; this is the main reason why the Big Bay bridge is held over, I was unavoidably absent from the last meeting Held on March 2i. 1 was in Auckland and while there I discussed the Britannia houseboat; if the Council gives permission the Marine Department will agree. I consulted with Mr Slaughter ro unemployment; it was then he promised to send the men on March 25. Colville. —I examined the quarry bridge and am making inquiries as to its legal position. Timber: Messrs Jackson Bros, have cut the tree into planking and stringers; these are at present charged to the Colville Riding, but should any be taken away for other ridings, Colville will be credited. Coromandel. —Several jobs have been unavoidably held over but will be attended to on the 2Gth inst. Men had to be put on to urgent work. The jobs held over are: Drain at schoolmaster's house; Boswell's mine, Tokatea; Mannion's gravel and gate post; Edward Street, blackberries; Tiki Road, Chapman's drain; McQuoid's Road, one day gravelling. Whangapoua.—A plank has been renewed on the first bridge of the old deviation and a weir of stones and wire netting has been placed across the creek at Coromandel side of hill. Planks for the Red House Bridge will be delivered soon, also new planking for the White Bridge (Trail's bridge) on the old deviation. Cr Bull has made arrangements to accommodato unemployed for the winter months. Unemployed.—On April 8 I accompanied the chairman to Auckland to interview the Labour Department. A good deal of anxiety -was in the air but the Department was doing everything it .could to help the men to take up work; a very humane attitude'was patent and men were being carefully drafted to work to suit their capabilities. We left with the promise that 20 men at least -would be sent on. I immediately returned to Mercury Bay and made all arrangements tor their accommodation which arrangements had to be countermanded at the last moment. All this arranging and re-arranging has occupied much of my time.