THE POWER BOARD.

Wairarapa Age, 29 July 1925, Page 5

THE POWER BOARD.

'More critical questions# (To the Editor.) Sir,— The Chairman of the Power Board in his reply to * 1 Interested’s ’ queries is delightfully vague on the main points raised. Regarding the expenditure to be saved by dispensing with the present chief’s services, may I ask what the saving will be? Mr Drcwitt, it is generally conceded, has proved that he is perfectly competent to carry on without the services of a consulting engineer. He is better acouaintcd with local rdquirements and conditions than the new appointee can possibly be. Local knowledge, as stressed by the Chairman, applies more forcibly in Mr Drewitt 's case than in that of the new appointee, who, it would appear, must have the guidance and advice of a consulting engineer. In regard to the appointee’s credentials and qualifications, the Chairman has evaded the question. Certainly members of the Board are elected to carry on the business of the Board in a manner most advantageous to the interests of ratepayers, but, Mr Editor, in my opinion, the ratepayers are justly entitled to know the qualifications of the appointee to a responsible position such as engineer-in-charge. If they arc not at least equal to those of Mr Drcwitt, then the ser- / vices of the latter gentleman should be retained, and the services of the consulting engineer dispensed with, thereby saving £3OO per annum, if economy is the aim cf the Board. Although Mr Climie may have designed the extension scheme, that surely does not necessitate the retention of his services until such extension is completed, more especially as the Board has, on the spot, an engineer competent to supervise and carry out successfully such extension. I have vivid recollections of the huge expenditure involved in repairing flood damage, and anticipated expenditure in raising power house at Kourarau, and it is an open question if such expenditure could not have been obviated. .We have been assured when the original plan was designed and location of power house decided that adequate data regarding flood water height was obtained, but was the possibility of the mud dam giving way considered? May I ask what is the necessity for further extensions at Kouramu, when it is generally understood that the present output is sufficient for a standby and peak load? In view of the fact that Mr Drewitt has given the Board yeoman service during his term of office, it hardly appears to be a square deal to dispense with his services now' that he has so successfully met all conditions and brought the work entrusted to him to such a satisfactory issue. In conclusion, .it would appear to the undersigned a safer plan for the Board to retain the services of a proved officer than to risk the possibility of further liabilities by entrusting the service to an engineer whose worth in the capacity of engineer-in-charge has not been proved, and whose qualifications have not been given publicitv. —I am, etc., SQUARE DEAL. Masterton. ,