LOCAL WORKS AND BOARD POLICY

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 31, 13 August 1952, Page 5

LOCAL WORKS AND BOARD POLICY

(To the Editor) Sir, I must , challenge a statement which appeared in the issue of the 'Taupo Times" for August 6, in ^which you state that under the present system of supervising* the works programme of the Taupo Town Board, a considerable saving has been effected. Surely this is a very short sighted view ? I realise that the present system of supervision is the considered policy of the Taupo Town Board and I would criticise that policy as being very short sighted, particularly at a time when the Town Board can not afford to *adopt short term policie^. Taupo is a town that is growing very quickly, as all will agree, and one can look forward to the not far fd;istant future when the Taupo area will be the "playground of the Pacific" as stated by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr Bodkin. The probable growth in tourist traffic when coupled with the development of Ithe Wairakei Geo-thermal Project, of hydro-elec-tric schemes on the upper Waikato, the expansion of forestry activities and the development of farm land in this area, means that we can expect Taupo to grow at an even iaster rate than has been experienced to date. It is evident even now that Taupo is growing faster than the necessary services can be provided or are likely to be provided if the present rates of progress aremaintained. We still have no electricity supply, no water supply, no sewerage and storm-water drainage systems, no garbage collections, no sealed streets, no footpaths, no transport system for shoppers, and only limited recreational and playground facilities, and apart from the provision of electric power, no evidence is to be seen of anv attempts to plan for the provfsion of these facilities. The residents of Taupo are entitled to all of th^se facilities and it is only to be expeeted that*new residents will also expect these facilities to be provided. The financing of these public works is a matter for decision by the ratepayers but fchere is no reason why the works can not be designed in advance. By employing a full-time professional engineer the Taupo Town Board, could, I feel sure, effect considerable saving. Such a person /could not only design the necessary public works, but could also ensure that any necessary maintainance work contributed to the successful carrying out of these works at a later date. For example when blocked culverts have to be lifted and cleared, they could be replaced on such a line and grade that they would later fit in with an overall drainage system also while streets are being maintained the work could be so planned that it would contribute to the necessary re-alignment and preparation of the sub-grade for later sealing. All rate-payers will feel grateful to Mr Story for the work he is doing but f doubt that Mr Story .would claim to be technically competent to be able to carry out lully the duties of a professional engineer. The Town Board has engaged the services of a Consulting Engineer to design and build thee Hydro-Electric scheme. These services, I estimate, will cost the ratepayers £4,000 to £5,000 which means that at least £1,000 a year is being paid for engineering 'services whkh are concerned with only part of the necessary public works. Surely it would have been cheaper to have paid £1,000 a year to a full time competent professional engineer who could not only have designed the hydro-electric scheme, but also have designed other public works as well as supervised the necessary maintenanee worfc. Is not Mr Story confusing the difference between a professional engineer and a foreman of works? In effect

it is the duties of thelatter which Mr Story is so willingly and capably carrying out but in thus avoiding the necessity of appointing a Foreman of Works the Town Board must not blind themselves to the necessity of appointing a qualified, competent, professional engineer. Such an appointment will, of course, be necessary in time but by making the appointment now I feel certain the Town Board would save a considerable amount of money. Don't spoil the ship for a ha'porth of tar! I am, etc., "PLANNER."