A COUNTY KNGINEER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 33, 7 February 1903, Page 2

A COUNTY KNGINEER.

TO THE EDITOR, Sin, —Your contemporary, the Herald, gives a leader to the subject of appointing an engineer to manage Taranaki County Kuads and Bridges. Unfortunately, as is usual with them when dealing with local matters, tbey are not accurate as to facta—far from it. First, as to the Maketawa Bridgp, ferough which the traction engine fell. This bridge was designed by a Government road eegineer, and bu'lt ueder his supervision. So where does it come in that by appointing an engineer accidents will be avoided. Nv> notice is aksn of the fact that no accident has occuired on bridges designed by lccal surveyors, though their work has Stood for many yeais and Maketawa Bridge is a new structure. Then as co the information that the Olifton and Stratford Counties have engineers appointed on different terms to the Taranaki County. This also is not the case. Messrs Olirnie and Pairhall for Straiford, and Messrs Mackeyand Obeli for Olifton aro paid ■\ commission on contracts, and survey works, etc, at schedule rates, as is done iiy Taranaki County. Iu all cases they woik under instructions from the i County Chairman. Ai to bxpeniiiture,, j ate. There is 1,0 doubt the expsndituro |of loans, etc., in S'.ratford County exceeds the probable expenditure of j£7ooo for Taranaki by many times. In the first case there are no road boards excepting the Manganui, and in the letter there is no part of Taranaki County not included in a road dist.ric, Stra' l'o;d a greater reason for adopting the Ihrald's so-called ecouo jaical system of management. Whilst oot disagreeing with the advisability of appointing a general head 10 tbecriutty |.'>mployees, it is as well to consiilir •lie matter with reliable data baforotliu ratepayers,- Yours, etc., Ratepayer,