On Borough Matters Generally.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 7240, 22 August 1902, Page 2

On Borough Matters Generally.

[to the editor. I Sir,—At my publio meeting re municipal matters, in April last, I stated that a Borough Engineer was a luxury to which —taking all things into consideration—we were not yet entitled. I wish' to re-state the fact. The sinecure was instituted in the first place as a scape-goat for a week-knoed Council. There were a few old servants —not the right colour —to be disposed of—and sundry other jobs the Council wanted -Jfjj done by proxy, and a Borough Engineer fitted right in. So far, so good. Personally, I esteem and respect the Engineer; but, I offer the following reasons to suppoat my contention that the office of Borough Engineer is premature and should be abolished:—(l) The £Q per week (minimum) should be spent in a more important direction. It might cover the cost of a decent-sized gas expert. (2) Those in charge of the mechanical workings of a small town should have a greater interest in it than £250 per annum. By this I infer that gineer's tenure of office is duration, and a progressive Boroug-his apt to bo unconsciously sacrificed as a stepping-stone. (3) I further state that a good, reliable, practical Overseer of Iloads, etc., and a good, sound Works Committee, would be a bigger asset to us than a Borough Engineer at the present juncture. There is a small section of the Council who follow the Engineer blindly, and would uphold him if he condemned the Post Office, andjhave fol- '** lowed him right through the piece—yes, even around Taranaki. To those champions I offer the following challenge :—• I will meet them publicly in the Town Hall, and produce figures, facts and performances to support my contention, that a Borough Engineer is unnecessary, and defy them to prove to the contrary, —I am, etc,.

George H. Goodall. August 21sfc 1902.