The Telephone. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, WEDNESDAY, JULY 2.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 172, 2 July 1884, Page 2

The Telephone. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, WEDNESDAY, JULY 2.

For some time past it has been apparent, even to the most wilfully blind, that our public bodies of .the Borough Council and Harbor Board had not been singularly happy in their selection of a servant to undertake the not over arduous or irksome duties of Engineer and Valuator to both these bodies. It has on several occasions been caustically remarked that his abilities and usefulness have frequently been shown to be in a direct reverse ratio to his unjustifiable demands upon the public exchequer, and there is little doubt but what, if it were not for that wholesome and commendable reluctance to disturb the established order of things which restrains most members from interfering with things while they run at all smoothly, matters would long ere this have come to an open rupture. But as the last hair is reputed to have broken the camels back, so the insulting manner in which he treated the Board last night brought matters to a climax, and that long suffering body gave vent to the strongest expressions of disatisfaction and disapproval in condemnation of their mercenary servants conduct. But whilst the members chaffed and fumed at the affront put upon them by their servant not condescending to remain in attendance on the Board, few if any at first seemed to realise the reasons which had prompted such a mode of procedure. The Board’s solicitor’s clear explanation as to the results of opening the very artfully endorsed envelope containing the valuation of Messrs. Common, Shelton and Co.’s premises let in the required ray of light and made all things clear. There is no room for doubt but what the action of the Engineer was not intended in the slightest degree as an affront to the Board, but was rather a wily and artful move whereby he hoped to entrap that body into rendering itself liable for the payment of this exorbitant and perfectly unjust demand of £36. The letter had been hurriedly handed to the Clerk, and the artful writer immediately withdrew so as to be out of the way of questioning, and had not the Secretary when handing the missive to the unsuspecting Chairman called his Worship’s attention to the ominous words “ fees, /’jS,” the envelope would undoubtedly have been opened without any hesitation. Well might Member Joyce and others call it sharp practice, and Member Smith stigmatise it as a case of “ stand and deliver,” and we can only regret that Member Tutchen did not renew his motion for a vote of censure; but no doubt the Board will yet so mark its sense of the matter as to prevent a future recurrence of the like nature. In order to enable our readers to fully understand the position which the Engineer occupies, and to dispel certain false impressions which have gained currency as to his scope of duties, we give a copy of the conditions under which his engagement was made, which are as follows:—“Wanted a Borough Engineer, Valuator, and Harbor Board Engineer, all of which duties are to be performed by the same person, who will be allowed to engage in private practice.” It was also understood that the Board's work should always have precedence to any private practice, and that the latter was in no way to interfere or obstruct his public duties. In the face of this it is plain that the Board had no shadow of right to accede to the Engineer’s demands in the late case, and to have voted the /■j. ss. of ratepayer’s money which has already been paid him for valuing Mr, Adair’s store. The work clearly comes within the scope of those duties for which he receives a liberal salary, but which he apparently looks upon as a sort of retaining fee, and members have justly laid themselves open to the charge of literally giving away the public money. As the question is still sub judicew refrain from some further remarks until it is seen how the matter is disposed of next week, when it again comes before the Board.