COUNCIL AND ENGINEER.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 479, 3 July 1912, Page 5

COUNCIL AND ENGINEER.

A SETTLEMENT DESIRABLE.

SALARIED ENGINEER WANTED.

, Th% relations existing between th 9 engineer in charge of the improvements being carried oat at Te Kuiti, Mr L. G. P. Spencer, and the present Borough Council have not been of a satisfactory nature for some time. When the scheme of improvements inaugurated by the first Council was decided upon, and loans raised for th« purpose of carrying out the work, an argeement was entered into between Mb Spencer and the Council, whereby the engineer was to control the expenditure of the loan money, and receive a commission thereon of five per cent. For a considerable time friction has existed betweeri the Works Committee and the engineer, and the position was discussed at the meeting of the Council held on Monday night. When the question of approaching the rate* payers with a view to raising the extra £12,500 to complete the works was raised Cr Forsyth said although he was in favour of raising the extra amount he could not support the proposal unless on the understanding that the present agreement with Mr Spencer was terminated, and a salaried engineer' appointed for,, the borough. He was strongly of opinion the arrangement with Mr Spencer was a very bad thing for the Council. There had been nothing but friction for a considerable time, and his opinion was that the interests of the borough had been neglected. The speaker instanced various streets and said the residents were wading thrdugh mud, and were complaining to councillors. Concern- - s ing the crasher Cr Forsyth said the situation was a disgrace to all concerned, and a regular comic opera business.' If Porter and Co. had not done their duty and fulfilled the contract the engineer should have right on, to the Matter and settled it. The plant was lying idle for months pending the strengthening of the bridge. The engineer knew the crusher would have .to go over the bridge and should have had it ready _ when the crusher arrived. The crusher was. now on the ground, and was a disgraceful affair. Cr Tammadge "An abortion." v Continuing, Cr Forstyh said the screen was not working right, and the holes in the binna from which the carts were loaded were too Small. It took half an hour to load a cart and the metal had to be worked out with a crow bar. He was in favour of progress and good streets, but would oppose further expenditure under existing conditions. ' _ Cr Falwasser ' said he was not aware of the details of the various matters mentioned, but it was very evident the Council and engineer had not been working amicably. He tnought it would be better for all concerned if the connection was severed. He thought Mr Spencer would welcome the idea. The Council should certainly have a full report from an engineer with respect to. the work for which the loan was intended. ~ Cr Young said the Council was like a ship without, a rudder. They bad reached a certain stage under great difficulties. He was quite prepared to go before the ratepayers with a new policy. They had done a lot of work and it would be ridiculous to spoil the ship for the sake of a barrel of tar. He must support the loan otherwise the object to which the work, had been directed would be defeated. Any engineer could % fall short in his estimates, particularly on a rising market, and he did,not blame anybody for, a shortage occurring. They were not heavily burdened with rates even with the extra £12,500 which milat be raised 'to carry out the work?. The Council should meet Mr Spencer and come to i a termination with him. Cr Lusk said he did not go bo far as some to blame the engineer. The work under Mr Spencer would* be completed shortly, and they, should start afresh. He considered the original agreement a mistake. There was, he thought, no particular hurry for the next few months as the weather w«uld not permit of work being carried out astisfactorily. The question of what salary to offer, and the time would re quire to be considered. Cr Floyd aaid an end should be put to bickering. They should profit by past mistakes and appoint a borough engineer. He considered it advisable to make an appointment at an early date iii order to obtain an estimate for loan purposes. At present they only had their own calculations. Everything should be got ready to start work as soon as the weather permitted. The rates were not burdensome, and they should stand for progress. Cr Tammadge said they had got to that stage when they must have ■ someone to look after the work. The work was not being done, not because the Council had failed iri its duty. It looked as that an attempt bad been made to block progress. . Cr Forsyth said, as chairman of'the Works Committee, he had to listen to many complaints about matters. The only explanation he could give was that the engineer was hanging matters up. The road from the railway siding took three months tcr get started, and the engineer had to be approached twice about it. There was nothing personal in the matter. As far as onder-estimating was concerned there Was no complaint. It might happen to anybody, or any engineer might make a legitimate ipistake. A man who couldn't make a mistake couldn't make anything. Aa to not being able to afford a salaried engineer the position Was revetted; they couldn't afford I to be without one. There was an estimated surplus of £499 on the.estimates for the year, and a competent engineer could be got for less. He moved that the borough solicitor be instructed to endeavour to arrange with Mr Spencer . to terminate the agreement under which :Mr Spencer is ' working, the borough to pay all comi mission earned, including commission ' on the crashing plant* without prejudice. The mover, continuing, skid

the \crusher was the last straw. Messrs Porter.and Co. told Cr Young and himself (Cr Forsyth) the plant Wonld hut be suitable; he was sure the enginewould not do the work. Mr Spencer must know : it also, as las£ December he advocated-getting another engine to drive the crusher. The speaker was satisfied in his own mind the Council would have to take over the plant and pajr for it. Cr Tammadge seconded the motion

| The Mayor said they should not hastily condemn the plant. A sort of compromise bad been made with the Council that the roller engine should be utilised for crushing. 'He thought they should wait and bear from Porter and Go. When he saw the engine gong only 601b of steam was used, and the engine had a capacity of 180lb. The elevator was too rapid and the hoppers were a disgrace, also the screening arrangements. Gr Forsyth 'said he had no wish to rush matters, but, they must have metal. The river' was too high for gravel to be got, and the main road and other roads bad to be maintained. The motion was put and carried unanimously.