STORMY DEBATE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1180, 15 July 1911, Page 6

STORMY DEBATE.

THE AUCKLAND CITY ENGINEER'S DEPARTMENT, THE MAYOR INDIGNANT. "I EXPECT THE LOYALTY OP COUNCILLORS," (By TeJeeraph.-Special Correspondent.! Auckland, July U. The City Council had a stormy session last evening over tho city engineer's department. Tho Mayor presented a report of a meeting of the council held in committee, at which a series of. resolutions were passed to tho effect that tho dual position of city engineer and engineer to tho Drainage Board is unsatisfactory; that tho city works require an engineer of lirstrato qualifications; that it would bo iu the best interest ol all parties if Mr. Hush acted for the Drainage Hoard; and that tho council advertise lor an engineer. There was a storm over an inciuent that occurred prior to the meeting, a deputation of councillors having asted lor delay. Tho Mayor talked auout "a stab in the back," and that if ho hadn't tho confidence of tho council they could get another Mayor, and more to the samo effect, while one or two councillors spoko of " it being uußritish to try and dispose of the engineer without giving him a hearing. A motion for adjournment was moved, tho Mayor was acout to put the motion; when Mr. Bush asked to be allowed to speak.

Mr. Bush said that the decisions arrived at by the meeting in committee came as a complete surpriso to him. He had had no charge brought against him, and in reply to a question put by him to the Mayor after the special meeting, the latter said ho had nothing to bring against him. The Mayor: You are reflecting upon-the chair, Mr. Bush. I cannot allow you to rellect on me in my office. Mr. Bush: I do not wish to reflect upon tho occupant of the chair at all. The Mayor; I think you are doing that now. 1 Mr. Bush: I think that my 'position should bo made fully knownThe Mayor: I think you have already made it fully knoivn in this morning's paper. Mr. Bush: I' gavo the press some information which 1 thought it should have. When I interviewed you after tho committee meeting there was no suggestion that tho findings of the committee were such as I sinco found them to be. I had no idea that they were such as indicated in the press tho following morning. On behalf not only of myself, but of those who may come after mo in this position, as well as of tho officials as a whole, I demand that I should bo given a proper hearing before tho committee's recommendations are passed. (Hear, hear.) Tho Mayor sail' ho regretted that such a discussion had taken place. They knew that the matter had to be decided one way or tho other on his (tho Mayor's) casting vote. Ho had felt heated, and he still felt heated at tho inconsistency of certain councillors who had previously indicated a desire to havo tho matter deferred for further consideration. He would havo to consider whether ho would retain his position after tho manner in which ho had been treated.

Sir. Minnie: No, no. It is only a passing freeze." •

Tho Mayor: While I am in this chair I expect the loyalty of councillors. I do not expect them to support mo in everything, but I do expect loyalty, and if I do not get that I shall vacate the position. After what had been said ho would not bo doing his duty if -he did not indicate that a number of councillors had complaints to make against the engineer's department. It was their duty to bring any complaints forward and to give Mr. Bush an opportunity of meeting them. He protested again against tho attempt to have tho matter disposed of that evening. As to the position of tho drainago engineer, he said that there were many engineers who would be glad to take the position at ,£I2OO a year. Ho resented the imputation made in the press that any attempt was being made to kick Mr. Bush out into unemployment. Tho question was whether it was better for Mr. Bush to remain with the council or with tho Drainago Board. If they were going to allow any factions in the community to influcnco them in tho discharge of their duty, the sooner they got out of public life tho better. (Ecar, hear.) It was idle to pretend that there was not considerable dissatisfaction in certain quarters with the work of the engineer's department. Tho question of the efficiency of the department had been raised, not by the council, but by Mr. Bush and'his friends, and it should be clearedi-up. The motion for adjournment was carried on the Mayor's casting vote. Mr. Bush: May I ask that any charges against myself and my department be put in writing: and delivered to me before the meeting? The Mayor: I think that councillors have a right to bring any complaints that they have before the meeting. - Ton will have every opportunity of meeting them. Mr. Mackav: That is a regular Star Chamber business. The charges should bo formulated. The Me.vnr: Well. I fin not sunrise there is anv objection to the charges being formulated. AN INTERVIEW.

(By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.! Auckland, July 13. In an interview, Mr.-Bush stated that he was not present at the meeting of the council in committee when the matter was discussed. He was, however, in attendance-. at his office, and after tho meeting was• sent for bv the Mayor. 'Mr. Parr then informed him that the council had had a long discussion, and were unanimously of tho opinion that tho dual controF involved by Mr.Bush acting as city and drainage engineer was not satisfactory, and should in the interests of the citv be terminated. The Mayor had added that nothing had been decided as to which position Mr. Bush should hold, but said that in his (the Mayor's) opinion he should devote his time to the completion of the drainage scheme. The engineer delnurred to this, and said that he had come out from England, and had beeu selected from a number of applicants to fill the position of city engineer. Furthermore, as he devoted a great deal of time and labour to the work of the city, and had come to take a very deep interest and pride in the wiork and future of the city, he did not feel prepared to aquiesco in such a proposal. Mr. Bush added: "If.my wishes were to he consulted, however, I would desire from every point of view, and for tho fake of my pipfcssional reputation, to be retained in my original and present position as city engineer. Naturally, however, seeing that I have incurred a large responsibility in connection with the city and suburban drninago scheme, and planned its lay-out, I would desire that, it should be so carried out as. to ensure tho completion of tho scheme according to my original and approved designs." Continuing, Mr. Bush said that so far as his position was concerned, he was prepared to stand by his pa.st record in the service of the city, and ho meutioncd a few of the notable works carried out under his supervision.