OIL ON TROUBLED WATERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 146, 2 July 1901, Page 1

OIL ON TROUBLED WATERS.

(Wairarapa Times.)

Two eminent Engineers, Mr Napier 801 l and Mr Leslie Reynolds, appear to have been indulging in a free fight over the Mastcrton Water and Drainage Works, in the columns of the Otago Daily Times. Mr Napier Bell seems to have claimed tho Mastcrton scheme .as his own scheme, and we are glad of this, for it proves that our scheme is a good one, or so capable an authority would never adopt it as his own offspring. Mr Leslie Reynolds, however, naturally objects to his project being fathered by Mr Napier Bell, and appealed to Mr C. A. Pownall as a witness on liis behalf. Mr Pownall responded with the following very direct and outspoken message publisher! in a letter written by Mr Leslie Reynolds, which appeared in the Uiago Daily Times of t'lie Swt’h tost. To tho Editor. Sir, —I read with surprise a letter from Mr Napier Bell in your issue of this morning, wherein he claims to be the originator and designer of the water and sewerage schemes being carried out by me at Masterton. Mr Bell’s cool assurance is only surpassed by the absolute inaccuracy of his statements, and I hereby publicly defy him to produce any drawings, or oven preliminary sketches, of his own of the sewage treatment works being carried out by me at Masterton ; nor have the Borough Council of Masterton ever received any such details from him.

Mr Bell’s stat aments are in toto incorrect, and, fortunately, tho matter has been easily sifted, as in answer to my wire sent this morning, I have received tho follcyviug

reply:— “Mr Napier Doll’s scheme was not adopted, and the credit ot tho water and drainage scheme now being carried out, in our opinion, entirely belongs to you and to no cue else.

“ C. A. Pownall, 11 Mayor of Masterton.” As far as we cap judge, Mr Napier Bell has not a leg to stand upon with his contention. If, before Mr Leslie Reynolds .arrived on the scene, ho explored the IVaingawa river and reported on the stream, did not Mr John King, ten years earlier, submit a very excellent proposal for a similar water supply ? And if Mr Leslie Reynolds copied Mr Napier Bell, it might also be contended that Mr Napier Bell copied Mr John King. The report of Mr John King and the reports of Mr Napier Bell were no doubt, available for reference in the Council Chambers ; but we believe that Mr Leslie Reynolds depended upon Mr Napier Bell about as much as Mr Napiej Bell depended upon Mr John King. 5 '