Wanted—A Competent County Engineer.

Northland Age, 11 October 1904, Page 2

Wanted —A Competent County Engineer.

1 TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I find in the columns of your paper a report of a proposal to appoint a Cierk of Works for the County. With your kind permission I. would make a few remarks-, such as I hear amongst ratepayers when discussing the proposal. There enquiry seems to be: is this proposal in the right direction? Does it promise better superintendence ? or greater economy? or neither ? They seem to think the latter, but clearly it will add to the cost of management, which should be kept down as non-productive in itself. At present, collection of rates and gum licenses, &c., at the new percentage*>inust cost close on £270 ; clerk’s salary &70; making £340 roughly, and the proposed new Clerk of Works would bring it up to £4OO or moie. Considering this large sum, and the threatened disruption of the County owing to dissatisfaction with present working, is it not time to try and adopt some better methods ? The above £4OO is extravagant, and the work is only perfunctorily done. At present we have no qualified engineer, and the proposed “Clerk of Works ” will not give us one. If an engineer were widely advertised for, one could he got to do the whole of the collecting and office work, as well as the superintendence of roads, for much less than present cost, and the work would be done better. The ratepayers are each year losing a considerable sum of money through non-collection of gum licenses, etc. Then why not the County Council call for tenders through the press of the colony, and for about £2OO per annum get better sendees and an engineer to boot?—I am, &c., A RATEPAYER.