“AN UNPLEASANT SURPRISE.”

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160722, 7 August 1920, Page 7

“AN UNPLEASANT SURPRISE.”

To the Editor. Sir,—The position into which our electrical affairs has drifted is a most deplorable one. It would be comic if it was not such a serious financial affair. Here we have the present glorified scrap heap, commonly known as the tramway plant, standing us in £50,000, the proposed steam station at least another £IOO,OOO, and behind it all agi ultimate hydro development of the Wangaehu river of at least £200,000, together with about £50,000 to reticulate the area and provide all the incidental gear to handle a high tension system. This makes about half a million of the ratepayers’ money. Whose is the guiding hand in this allimportant matter? Is it the engineer, who one year stoutly advocates the duplication of the present gas plant, and who next time condemns gas and who must have a steam station; who for one year says the “present power house site is a good one; easy of access to the railway, and close to the river for the purpose of getting a supply of circulating water,” and “where good foundations can be secured,” and who next time says the old site is no good, and who must get on to a site on the water front? Is it the Council in all its glory, who sit in judgment, aided by all the knowledge that they themselves don’t possess upon this subject, judiciously mixed with a multitude of conflicting advices, or is this matter just left to Providence? Is it any wonder that we get “unpleasant surprises?” There one thing definitely certain, however, and that is that ’under no circumstances should the Council look for advice and help from the representatives of any firm of contractors. It is the very height of stnpidity. Under no circumstances can contractors and ratepayers have anything in common when it comes to the spending of money, and for that reason the special meeting of the Council to be held on Saturday is no place to expect the ratepayers’ interests to be looked after. Why _ does the Council not appoint an eminent consulting engineer like Mr Fred Black, 41 Ballance Street, Wellington, to straighten out the troubles they are in? I am prepared to say that no more than two of the Council are satisfied with the way the electrical department is shaping. Why do they not vote according to their convictions at the Council table?—l am, etc., D. J. REARDON. P.S.—Now, Mr Editor, no foot notes, please. If any of the above parties feel aggrieved "let them come out into the open, and between us, I feel that a lot of daylight will be let on to the subject, and incidentally a sum of money of about £75,000 will be saved to the ratepayers.—D. J. R.