CHALLENGE TO CRITICS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4888, 9 October 1925, Page 2

CHALLENGE TO CRITICS.

THAMES COUNTY ENGINEER. INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION. The following letter was received by the Thames County Council from its engineer, Mr J. Higgins, at the monthly meeting yesterday “Reference has been made to the expediency of the work at the Matatoki quarry, and it has been stated that progress has been slow and that had the original scheme as laid down or attempted by a former engineer been continued the result would have been of equal value and the quarry established earlier. When I was appointed nothing had been done for some time, as the council was considerably in doubt as to the scheme then under way, and I was asked to report thereon, and after you received my alternative suggestions an outside engineer was called in to confirm same or otherwise. “In May last the poll fort the additional loan was carried, and I then proceeded to prepare plans for the work. In view of the fact that my scheme differed from the one. previously followed, this meant starting from the beginning, as in any case there was, no data in the office dealing with the work already attempted. Since the date of the poll, therefore, a new scheme has had to be detailed, surveys made, quantities computed, and designs for the general layout completed. At the present time contracts have been let, and plant, materials, etc., will be on the ground in a few weeks. Greater progress might have been made had .the work already done proved of any value. "My critics have been ready to find fault with every phase of the scheme, and have given me less than half the time they appeared willing to concede my predecessor to complete such work, and one might reasonably wonder why so little had been done in December, 1924, when the original loan, was authorised in October, 1923.

“I do not mind comment on •my work, but I think it should be fair and just, and I should not have.my activities prejudiced by previous mismanagement or delay.

A CHALLENGE. . “With a desire to afford my critics an opportunity of ascertaining whether there is any defect in the work I am doing, or the scheme I have advised, or whether there is any ground for complaint ,as to delay in bringing it into operation, I am prepared to submit the matter for investigation by a committee of three cbmpetient. engineers, one to be appointed by myself, one by my critics, and the third by either the Council, Public Works Department, or Main Highways Board, and am prepared to deposit the gumof £lOO provided the said critics or any of them will deposit a like amount within 10 days, the cost of the investigation to be paid out of the deposit of either side found to be at fault.

“In evidence given before the Magistrate’s Court suggestions were made that I was hot competient to value work, which was the subject of the case at issue, and with an attempt to discredit the value of evidence to be given by me it was implied that estimates submitted by me to the Hauraki Plains-Council, whilst its engineer, for road works, etc., were seriously under stated or estimated, and I would like the committee referred to above to include these matters in their investigations and findings. “My motive for making this offer is for the Council’s interest as well as my own, as there is a considerable amount of money to be expended, 'and all doubts as to my capabilities to safeguard the ratepayers’ interests should be set at rent, or, in any case, it should be shown that there is no ground whatever for the vague attacks and innuendo used against me.”

The chairman said he did igbt see that there was anything for the council to do in the matter.

Cr. Cox moved, and Cr. McMahon seconded, that the letter be handed to the Press, with the request that it ■be published in full. Cr. Cribb isaid he did hot know who the critics were, but he thought the engineer should be asked to explain to the council, why metal had» not been available by October, as lie bad assured ratepayers in the hall that it would be. He moved in that direction. Cr. H. Lowe seconded, and the motion was carried.