TAPUAE BITTERNESS REVIVED.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 9 May 1907, Page 4

TAPUAE BITTERNESS REVIVED.

"WiIKK A MAX CALLS ME A LtAli." Tiie Tajmao tunnel and road deviation contract which for so many months supplied materia! for debate'in the Tarauaki County Council meetings, sank into forgctfuhiess suddenly, to iie as suddenly revived on Monday. The discussion, too, savored of the old-time warmth. Councillors Adlani and Andrews questioned the specification concerning the "batter" of the Tapttae filling, alleging that "one in one" was too steep and un° safe. They complained, too, that the earth was spreading so that it was burying the lower timbers of the old bridge, which it was proposed to remove, and they reckoned this earth would entirely do away with any chance of shifting the structure.

Mr Skinner, the engineer, explained the position, and asked Cr. Andrews what he proposed to do-shift the bridge? Cr, Andrew's: Xo.

Mr. Skinner: Then what course would you adopt? Cr. Andrews: [ don't know.

The engineer: Well, what are you talking about? Vou don't understand what you're talking about. The chairman objected to the inann;>r ol Ihe (pieslious. -you've placed (his work in (he hands of an engineer, and why don't you let him canv it out? 'I hen if it's wrong, put the em-ineer (jut." "

Thi' engineer said lie intended putlni" lliillsclf out. ||i- wouldn't spend another year like I lie one for any money. (V. Andrews complained (he lillle tunnel was blocked ii( the top. The engineer (ienied this llatlv.

Cr. Andrews contradicted, mid said he was Him; of his ground, because ho had viewed the place that .lay. lie requested leave to ask another question-. Mr. Skinner: Yon ueen't bother. I decline to answer it. When yon call me a liar at the Council table,' it's time to put my foot down.

In answer to Cr. Adlam. the engineer said he anticipated no difficulty in removing the old bridge. Cr. Andrews again asked leave to put. a question to the engineer, lie questioned the engineer's right to refuse an answer. Were councillors to see stupid things being done, and say nothing about it If

The chairman advised Cr. Andrews to leave the mutter with the engineer, and not interfere.

Cr. Andrews: And if we lose the whole tliing.whu's going to pay—the engineer? Xo, the Council will have to pay. I want to ask .Mr. Skinner Mr. Skinner: Do you think it right, Mr. Chairman, that when 1 answer a question courteously, as I alwavs do, [ should always get the lie direct./ The chairman: No, I do not. K the Council is not satislicd with the engineer they should dispense with his services. Cr. Stevens thought it was a peculiar tiling that the engineer got hearty support from only the Moa riding members, who had worked hard for his appointment. He considered "the other jokers had not done half as much."'

A motion by Cr. Adlam, imposing certain instructions on the engineer, was negatived, and the incident closed.