The Wairarapa Daily. FRIDAY, MAY 30, 1879.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 172, 30 May 1879, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. FRIDAY, MAY 30, 1879.

With the present Public Works Committee in the Borough of Masterton one thing is perfectly plain, viz,, that Mr A. W. Kenall is the Borough Engineer, that lie must be regarded as such, and that the responsibilities of that office must devolve on his shoulders. We have on more than one occasion expressed an opinion that it was undesirable for hint to take upon himself such duties, but so long as he does undertake them we are quite propared to recognise liim as the great unpaid Engineer of the Masterton Borough, We aro well aware that lie himself will not fight shy of any responsibility appertaining to the ollice, and the only thing which remains to be done is to get him to do his work' as well as possible so long as he continues to hold his present appointment, It is certainly to his credit that at the late Council meeting a proper report on works in progress was presented by him ill his capacity as Chairman of the Public Works Committee. This looked like business, and it was extremely gratifying to us to notice in liini so business-like a trait, It would he very easy to subject to analysis some of the contracts alluded to in the report, but we do not desire to be too particular about plans and specifications, or to pry too closely into the foresight which lias boen displayed in connection with some of them, What we desire to point out is that it would be satisfactory to the public if the Borough Engineer could report to the next meeting of the Council not only on works in progress, but generally on the condition of all the roads in the Borough, It is desirable that it should be known what amount of money is available for the construction of roads and what amount is available for repairs. It is also necessary that it should be declared as to what works are urgent and arc to be accomplished, and what works are of less urgency and are to be postponed. At the late meeting of the Council the Borough Engineer expressed an opinion that the works in hand and those for which tenders are authorised to be called would absorb all the available money, Such information should bo given in the form of a report, and should not be a mere expression of opinion, The settlers on the Upper Plain, for example, say their road is in a dangerous state, It is just as well that they should know for certain whether they can depend upon the Borough to do what is necessary to it, Other roads are spoken of as requiring prompt attention. We do not desire to express any opinion as to the necessity which exists for repairing any particular road, but we think the Borough Engineer should furnish us with an authoritative report or all the roads in Masterton. As tilings are, work of no great urgency is about to be done perhaps in one part of the town, while some other work of absolute importance may be neglected in another part. We have therefore a right to expect from Cr Renall in his nominal capacity of Chairman of the Public Works Committee, and in his actual capacity as Borough Engineer, a fuller report at the next meeting of the Council than the one which he brought before the last one. If he will insist upon doing the work of the Borough, we will raise 110 further objection to him carrying out his desire beyond requiring that the work shall be done thoroughly, and that any information which an ordinary Engineer would furnish should be obtainable through him.. We therefore venture to hope that at the next meeting of the Council Cr Renall will bring down a statement showing, lirst, the amount available for expenditure during the current year; secondly, the proportion of it already pledged for works in hand and works ordered; and lastly, should there be a balance, in what direction it is proposed to expend it. This statement, accompanied by a report of the state of all the principal roads in the Borough, will entitle the Public Works Committee to the thanks of the public, and will possibly secure to that Committee its confidence,