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Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2714, 3 December 1889, Page 2

Tickuß was another subject dealt with at the fiame time by tha Piako County Council, aud that was with reference to the engineering service U ntlur the existing system, nil public works undertaken by the County Councils of Waikato and Piako are entrusted to civil engineers, who prepare the plans and specifications

and supervise tin; works, for wliicli llioy are paid by commission on the contract cost. There has been a feeling of dissatisfaction amongst some councillors against this system as an expensive one, and it was proposed at the meeting of the Piako Council to appoint an enfi'innor at a iixud annual salary, who shall devoto his whole time to, and carry out, all the necessary public works in the count}'. The proposal could bo extended with greater advantage to all the counties in the Waikato group. In place of each maintaining a separate engineering stuff, would it not bo better, and more economical, for all the councils to amalgamate and croate a sort of Public Works Department under one competent head, who would carry out all the necessary professional duties from a central office for the whole of the combined districts? Each corporate body would pay in proportion the expenses of the engineering department, and would, in nur opinion, be able to secure high professional skill, as well as carry out important works in a inanuor that wolud blend agreeably with the requirements of the country as a whole. We write this advisedly, and meroly offer the suggestion for consideration.