BOROUGH ENGINEER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1823, 1 August 1906, Page 3

BOROUGH ENGINEER.

APPOINTMENT RECOMMENDED BY COUNCIL.

At tho meeting of tho Borough Oounoil lad ovouing tho question cf tho appointment of au engineer for tho borough was dismissed, Or Sheridan moving the following motion: " That an ongiuoer ho appointed at a salary to bo arranged.” The Mayor raid that as tho subjeot was adjourned from a provious mooting only those who had not spoken previously should do so. Tho ahsont members alone shou'd bo allovvo.l to state their viows. Or Lysnar took exception to tho ruling of the chairman. Either tho thing should bo opened for all to speak or none at all, As far as ho oould see it was a psrfeot fa-co to have tbe slit j-:ct adjourned. Or Sheridan : But you tvoro tho ringloader in tho whole affair. Or Lysusr: What are you frightened of

Or Sheridan : Wo are frightened of longwinded ness, (Laughter) As Or Lysnar proved his right to have tho subject re-opened, Or Bright moved the adjournment of tho Council in ordor to state his views on tho question, ho having been nb>out at tho previous meeting, lie strongly supported tho appointment of an engineer, maintaining that tho works in view domandod that it should bo done. They had a largo borough, tboy wore going iu for an adiquato water supply, and tho pioposal beforo tho Couucil should receive its consent, From tho point of view of revenue there was nothing to fear, and tic wisdom of the appointment was manifest in many ways.

Or Rees seconded tho motion, pointing out that twenty-six years ngo tho Council appointed an engineer, and since that time thoy had gone without one. They required an experienced man to carry out their works. Or Lysnar supportod tho resolution to a’j ..urn tbe Council. He pointed out that Oc E=e9 was mistaken in saying that it was 26 years since they had au ongiuoer. They had had one since, and tho legacy left by tho geutleman mentioned by Mr Rses and also the one ho had in mind was only too evident, Tho first appointment was responsible for tbe Kaiti bridge, and tbe second for the oonstruotion cf Gladstone road, and the latter work could not be in a worse position. As far as he oould see the whole thing had been out and dried,

Or Sheridan : You have no right to say such a thing. It is an insult to tho Ccunoii.

Or Lysnar: Bat it is only too apparent, and you cannot deny it. Tho Mayor : I am very sorry I allowed anyone to speak. It is all Cr Lysnar’s

fault. He asked for the adjournment, as also did Or Miller. Or Lysnar: I did not. Or Sheridan : You did ; you almist pulled mo down when I objected. The disoussion continuing, Or Lysnar referred to the systematic manner in which the borough works had been cirried out, pointing out that Mr Megan had always worked on the most economical and practical lines. They did not require a petmsnsn) engineer at present, having in Messrs Morgan and Little men who wore in every way capable to supervise their work, la tbe case of the Rteluek road bridge and other works they had the county engiueer to prepare the work, and the overseer was competent to carryout all tho supervision required. To appoint an oogineer was only to take' away the expenditure on the reals, They required to conssrvo tbeir funds, as was evident from tbe position takea up in dealing with applications for repairs received that evening. If they appoinled an engineer they would either have to soon discharge him, oc starve their roads. Passing on, Or Lysnar suggested that when the time was opportune tbe Ojuncil should in cor>j unction with the Harbor Board appoint an engineer.

Several Councillors suggested that they did not want to be in any way mixed up with the Harbor Boa d to wbioh Cc Lysner replied, 11 Yes, you a-e all the same push, you treat things in a haphazard way, and Diver give them the consideration they deserve.” Or Colley replied to the remarks of Or Lyaoar, and urged the appointment cf an engineer, There were, he said, many important works in view, and Or Lysnar was Bimply argu’ng agiin.-t himself in opposing tho motion, Whilst thoy were about it they should have a good msn, and they should have him to thamselve'. Tbe Council should not depend on tbe County Engineer for carrying out tbeir works.

The motion to adjiurn the Oounoil was las 3, Cr Lysnar alone voting for it. A vole on the appointment of an ongi neer was then takeD, there beiag e’ght for the motion and two against. Crs Lysnar and Hsrdiog voted against the motion. Cr Sbr-ridan moved that applications should be inviied for tbe position, the salary to be HBSO, and the engagement cf 12 months’ doratioD.

Cr Lysnar urged that the Council should stipulate for three months’ notice oa either side. No man present would dream of entering ioto such a contract in his private business. The Council were, in his opinion, act ing too hastily. Cr Bright thought a year’s engagement was little enough, as a man would have to shift bis family. He objected to Cr Lyenar's remarks that the matter had been cut and dried beforo the meeting. He asked Or Sheridan if bs was aware of bis (Cr Bright’s) opiaion on the question before they met that eveniog. Cc Sheridan : Most ceriaioly not. Cr Lysnar: Weal is the use of saying that. I was told two days ago thai there were seven councillors in favor of tho oppoinlmsnt Cr Sheridan : And who told you '? Or Lysnar: I shall not te’l you ; nevertheless, I was informed to that effeot, and the vote this evening hts proved that I am corrrcfc. The motion was carried, the applicatioos to be in the bands of the Counofi within a period cf six weeks,