THE DRAINAGE BOARD.

Observer, Volume XXIX, Issue 12, 5 December 1908, Page 2

THE DRAINAGE BOARD.

A Plum for Bush

SOME three years ago, the City Council recognised the fact

that they were in need of a competent engineer to overlook the various works that were projected and in progress in the city. They advertised, and 3 since, the position carried with it a salary of £1000 a y«ar, they got many replies. Out of the many applicants, they selected Mr W. E. Bush. This individual was duly installed, and it may be taken for granted that, for the last three years or so, he has been drawing his salary at the rate of £1000 a year.

Some time ago, the Gity Councillors woke up to the fact that the sanitary arrangements of the city were not all that they should- be. Other citizens had recognised the fact long ago ; but the City Council, which has a pleasant habit of indulging in periodical slumbers, had not taken the trouble to deal wisi the question of sanitation, By persistent " ' . . ' "\

agitation, however, the councillors were forced to recognise the fact that the subject of drainage was a pressing one, . and a Drainage Board was set up, consisting of representatives of the City Council, and also of delegates from the various borough councils and suburban road boards.

The question of drainage was a vital one, and it was naturally supposed by ignorant persons that the City Engineer, who was drawing the comfortable salary of £1000 a year, would be able to formulate a scheme by which the city and suburbs would be freed from the present insanitary state of aifairs. Whether Mr Bush was unable to formulate such a scheme or not we do not know, but the fact remains that the City Council, although paying £1000 a year to their engineer, had to bring Mr Midgley Taylor out from Home, and pay him a high fee to explain to them the best way to deal with the drainage question.

At the last meeting of the Drainage Board, it was proposed to appoint Mr Bush engineer to the Board at a salary of £600 a year. Mr L. J. Bagnall, in supporting the proposition, pointed out that Mr Bush "had nractically designed the work." It may be so ; but we feel very much inclined to doubt it. If Mr Bush designed the work, why was it necessary for the City Council to pay Mr Midgley Taylor a fee of £2000 to draw out a scheme ? Are we to suppose that Mr Midgley Taylor was inspired by Mr Bush ? That is the only interpretation that can be put upon Mr Bagnall' s utterance. Mr Bagnall seems to be very much astray in his alleged facts.

The question that is interesting the public is whether the City Engineer is to draw this extra £600 a year for acting as engineer to the Drainage Board. But a more pertinent question underlies this. Mr "W. E. Bush was originally engaged as City Engineer. It is surely clear that his duties should include that of organising a sanitation scheme for the city. If he could not, or would not, organise such a scheme, then he is clearly a superfluity. But, leaving that out of the question altogether, it is not easy to see how the City Engineer is going to fulfil his duties as engineer to the Drainage Board. It might naturally be supposed that;, since he is drawing the substantial salary of £1000 a year, his time would be fully occupied with matters appertaining to the city. If he has spare time, and if that spare time is to bring him in £600 a year, he may consider himself lucky — very lucky, indeed. What the citizens think is a different matter, and is of no account at all. Economy is a negative quantity in this enlightened age.