THE GAS WORKS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12631, 19 October 1905, Page 7

THE GAS WORKS.

THE MANAGERSHIP QUESTION

At last night's meeting of tiie Borough Council the Lighting Committee submitted the following report :- 13th October. Present. The Mayor and Crs. Bell, Cohen, Liffiton, and WH--1 ams. To the Council.—The committee met as above to consider various matters in connection with Mr. Smithies' resignation, and beg to maky thy* following recommendations, i.e., that Mr. .^Smithies be allowed leave of abrequired, in consideration o( his giving casual supervision during the erection of the retorts, the bal-f-.jico of the material for which are not expected tq arrive for some time. Also that until the receipt of the applications for permanent managership, Mr. Gumbley bo in charge of the gas works temporarily.

The Mayor said that at the 'ast. meeting seA reral Councillors had expressed the AA-ish that Mr. Smithies should remain in the employ of the Council till the iicav retorts \vrv:e placed in position. Part of the retort,? Hal come to hand, but an impo-.Fa.)t portion would not arrive for some vvosks. He Avished leave of absence from the present time, and in cousi-Ural ion of this he AA'Ould supervise, the erection of the retorts when the tiMe arrived. So far as the temporary manngfi'&hi'p avos concerned, Mr. Bignell said ho had it from Mr. Smithies that Sir. GunvJ'sy, Avith occasional assist-nice' from Mr. Smithies, Avas quite capable of carrying on for a short time. Mr. Purser: Is Mr. Smithies in tlit) employ of the Council iioaa"? Tho Mayor: Yes, till the end of the month, but he says that if he is giva*i leave of absence now he will supervise the erection of the retorts when tho timo comes.

Cr. Williams said be understood that' Mr. Smithies would .supervise Mi Gumbley's work. He had said he had so much interest in the AA-orks that he would Jike to see the retorts put up The Council should give him authorityso that he could not ba shown the gat? when visiting the AA-orks. ( Tho Mayor: That is my reason fot saying AA'e should appoint Mr. Smithies consulting engineer before M^jthov manager is appointed. This woflH<)}iviato any heart-burning. *It 1. Smithies were appointed consulting engineer ho would ahA-ays have the right t>> go through the works. Cr. Purser: I think what you say is altogether • wrong. Mr. Smithies is a good man and a clever gas engineer. But aa'o might get another gjod and clever man. Mr. Smithies vvoi'.kl not like another man jto come and tell him what.to do, and the man we got nighfe not either. I think it is altogether wrong. Cr. Battle considered it was to Mr. Smithies' credit that he had offered tc? look after the retorts, and hi; thought Mr. Smithies' offer shoul 1 h;s acci'pfod Avith thanks.

Cr. Liffiton objected to the words "casual" supervision. Cr. Cohen said his reason for having the Avord "casual" inserted.''was . that otherAA-ise Mr. Smithies would be held responsible for fhe works, even though he was absent from Wanganui. Ho considered that Mr. Smithies should bo appointed consulting engineer, explaining that by "consulting" engineer he understood one who would'only give advio3 AA'hen consulted.

After further discussion, Cr. Will hams suggested that Mr. Smithies should be asked whether he would be willing to act as supervisor. Mr. Smithies said he would be glad to do anything in his power for the benefit of the Council, but he Avouidriot accept responsibility for anythi.ig that might happen during his absence. Of course, Avhen a neiy man was ap-pointed-he might not like to be interfered AA Tith. Then the Council could rescind anything they now did in the matter. Mr. Smitfiies went on to explain that it was necessary that Target mains should bo laid in certain part* of tho town, and he recommended that this should be done at or-ce.

The report, with the substitution of tho word "necessary" for "casual, ' was then adopted. Cr. Cohen then moved, and it was resolved, "That Mr. Smithies' offer t*; supervise and inspect the operations of tho gas works at times convenient to himself, pending the appointment of a permanent gas manager, be accepted with thanks."