THE COUNTY ORDER SYSTEM.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1120, 19 October 1883, Page 3

THE COUNTY ORDER SYSTEM.

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir —The naivete and candour ot Cr Pitchos’s defence of tho order system, as reported in your last, are simply charming, that he should wish the Council and the public to think that it was on the poor hardworking contractor or labourer the ha dsbip of tho change contemplated by Cr Macginniss’s motion would fall, is perhaps only mtnrd ; but that tho Council should not know that the boot was’ on the other leg, and that it Was Mr Pitches own interests that were in Jaeger, and which ho wasattemp ing to defend, is certainly suiprising. It was perhaps only natural too that Or Macke Jar should deem it “impossible that the Engineer could be going from one end of .'the County to the other, and that even if he could, the game would not be worth the caudle ” 1 have heard other contractors express the same opinion. Indeed, many of them would be p rfectiy contented if he never visited tho work at all, as long as he signed the vouchers. But it must be evident to all not interested to the contrary, that unless the Engineer visit the wo.ks during their progress, he cannot be in a position to form a correct judgment as to whether the specifications are being adhn ed to or not, and it is manifestly unfa r to the contractor to allow him lo fini.-h a work and then possibly Condemn it, instead of examining it during its progress, and pointing out in time any error or shortcoming that may ex ; st. No doubt tbe Engineer himself would have been much satisfied with the change had the motion been carried, as he would then have that control which he ought to have, and and would feel his responsibility to the ratepayers as well as to the Council, a f elmg which the present system is calculated to destroy. That the Engineer should be like Caesar’s wife, above suspicion, is no doubt desirable. Toat our Councillors should be, if possible, still more immaculate, is also a consummation most devoutly to bo wished ; but in tbe meantime, whilst waiting for tire good time coming, we may be permitted to exercise our right as ratepayers, and respectfully to point out any mistake or shortening we may deem to exist either in our Council or its officers —1 am, etc., Ratepayer.