COUNCIL DISCREDITED

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 311, 23 March 1928, Page 16

COUNCIL DISCREDITED

CR. PHELAN SAYS SO ADVICE FROM INDEPENDENT ENGINEER WANTED When a discussion on the suggestion to seek advice from an independent engineer took place in the City Council last evening, Cr. Phelan told the council that it had lost the confidence of the ratepayers, a suggestion that was immediately contested, j The fact that the Water Committee, i responsible for administering the i waterworks after they are handed over Iby the Works Committee, has been dissatisfied with the prospects, has been obvious for some time, and last eveing it reported to the council: “After lengthy consideration, your committee desires to report that before it is in a position to make a recommendation on this important question it desires the council to engage an independent engineer for the purpose of supplying the committee with further expert advice on the order of works.” This was accompanied by a further report from the city engineer, in which he pointed out that investigations of Nihotupu lower dam were no further advanced than those concerning Hunua. No survey of the dam site had been made. Any estimate must therefore be tentative, and subject to revision. WATER FROM HUNUA He estimated that six to nine months would be necessary for preliminary surveys at Nihotupu, and two and ahalf years to complete the work after that. Two years would be required for preliminary work at Hunua, and not fewer than four years after that to complete it. Nihotupu should cost £368,000, and Mangatawhiri and Mangatangi £1,214,750. Nihotupu would give only 6,000,000 gallons daily, continuous supply, but the estimate was for a pumping scheme to raise 9,000,000 gallons daily. Hunua would raise 10,000,000 on gravity. In addition the council in committee reported from a special meeting recommending that the council adopt the proposal to obtain water from Hunua Ranges, and that the council authorise the Water Committee to open up negotiations for the purchase of all the properties considered necessary. Cr. J. A. C. Allum said the Water Committee wanted it clearly understood that there was no lack of confidence in the city engineer. The committee did not want another engineer to come in and alter the policy decision. The reason for the appointment would be discussed later. The discussion at this stage was on the council’s report, itself. Cr. E. J. Phelan said he did not agree entirely with the chairman of the committee. He was all right, but lie did not go far enough. The council had to satisfy the ratepayers, and this move would finish by crediting the city engineer. “We can’t get away from the fact that we have lost the confidence of the ratepayers/’ he said, “and the only way to get that back is to get new' blood, which will, in my opinion, confirm our engineer.” This drew fire from Crs. Ellen Melville. S. I. Crookes and A. J. Stallworthy. MISS MELVILLE SATISFIED Cr. Melville said: “I don’t agree that we have lost the confidence of the public. If I thought that I would ■ *nnsider it our duty to resign. We

may have been criticised, but that does not mean that we have lost the confidence of the great bulk of the public. The fact that there is a considerable amount of gossip going on in uninformed quarters does not indicate that we have lost confidence. “If Cr. Phelan thinks as he says it is his duty to resign." (Laughter.) The council adopted its own in-com-mittee recommendation. The recommendation that an engineer be appointed was then dealt with. Cr. Allum said the committee was not satisfied, especially on the question of the time estimated to complete the works. It desired outside assistance, before it was in a position to finally decide its recommendation to the council. The motion was carried.