THE COUNTY ENGINEERSHIP.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8045, 6 February 1906, Page 3

THE COUNTY ENGINEERSHIP.

ORDER OUT OF CHAOS. At Ihe monthly meeting nt tinTiiranaki County Council on Monday the Engineer question again came uj> tor discussion. Cr Adlam moved that the resolution passed re appointing Mr Orbell as Engineer to the Moa Riding be rescinded, Ho thought it much niorcj convenient for the Council to only have one man for the whole eouutv, who would always be available. He considered -the resolution appointing Mr Orbell had been rushed through at a previous meeting, lie bad no axe lo grind in the matter. When applications were called for the position, Mr Orhell's application would be lully considered. Cr Hill seconded.

Cr Ilopsoti opposed the motion, It seemed to biiii the only reason it was brought forward was because the Council had had the impudence lo appoint a man while Cr Adlam was absent. If he wauled a say in the 'appointment, he should have been present. He pointed out that Cr Adlam had previously been in favor of separate engineers.

Cr Stevens strongly objected to the rescinding of the resolution; there was too much, rescinding in the Council. They were like a'lot of schoolchildren and it was no wonder the newspapers commented. The way business was conducted made hint almost ashamed lo own lie was a County Councillor. " For my own part," lie said "I am sick of it! That is the straight tip." There had been enough talk about this to do £10,001) worth of work.

A division was then taken, and Ihe motion carried on the casting vote of the Chairman. —Ayes : Crs Adlam, Hill, Andrews and the Chairman. Noes; Crs Julian, Hopson, Brown and Stevens.

Cr Hopson then moved " That the resolution passed at the Council meeting on Jauuary Bth to appoint an engineer to do all the engineering work for the Council when required, be rescinded." He thought the Council should not bind itself to any one man for the position, but should be iu a position lo engage any engineer it preferred for dillicult works.

| The Chairman opposed the motion. It seemed to him more convenient for 1 the Council lo keep to one'engineer, who would soon be able to get a knowledge of the requirements of the whole district. The system of getting reports from different engineers would not he economical. As lo the suggestion thrown out that the Council should have a permanent engineer, he did not think they could afford to pay a salary of £:)00 to £-100 as there was not sufficient work to keep such an ollieer employed. The per cent they paid at present on new work to the engineer, did not amount lo anything like the amount they would have to pay in salary to a permanent cugmeer. And if they continued with separate engineers, the best ventures could not be obtained, in his opinion.

Cr. Stevens seconded the motion, and expressed himself quite in accord with Cr Hopson.

Cr. Adlam said he believed more use could be made of the bridge carpenters for practical work. For many of the small works an engineer's .services were not required, especially for ordinary wcrk.

Cr. Hill thought the Council could not do better than stick to one man. and said there was no doubt Mr Skinner had given every satisfaction in the pasl.

The motion was lost, the position now being that I lie Council will appoint ait engine r for tbe whole county. Applica ions for the position were on the table, but owing to pressure of busiiHvs. i onsidcration of (he conditions and applications was held over until the spe-ial meeting to be lieid on Mondiv next