VI. J. M. SMAIL. 



standing a century of experience, there is an inordinate amount 

 of grand-motherly interest taken by the State in matters of pure 

 Local Government. In using the term " ratepayer " it is intended 

 to be distinct from that of "taxpayer," the former implies a direct 

 service, and the latter an individual who may have very decided 

 opinions as to the value he should receive in return, whereas with 

 the other his opinions may be very hazy. Owing to the grand- 

 motherly interest before mentioned, the local bodies not only in 

 the metropolitan area but in the country districts are relieved of 

 all anxiety in carrying out works connected with water supply 

 and sewerage, fire service, tramways, etc., and have only to con- 

 trol such works as street formation, pavements, minor bridges and 

 drainage, but have to pay in the long run for the whole of these 

 services. 



Even with the modified system of local administration it i& 

 possible that the best return is not obtained for the expenditure^ 

 inasmuch as it is not always the best qualified man who is chosen 

 to carry out local works, and the result is that the local bodies 

 are often plunged into difficulties and law suits. It is not long 

 ago, that two local bodies had to meet very heavy liabilities in 

 connection with defective local works of drainage which, if designed 

 by a competent man, would have fulfilled the purpose for which 

 they were intended and saved the funds expended in law. I think 

 it will be generally conceded that, when a man is sick he naturally 

 would consult a qualified medical man, or if he wishes to go to law 

 to defend his rights he would consult a qualified lawyer, but in a 

 matter pertaining to engineering, and more especially municipal 

 engineering, a large number of aldermen, directly they take their 

 seats, seem to be inspired with the opinion that they are engineers 

 by some heaven born process. Holding such opinions it is obvious 

 that amateur engineering would have full play, and the qualified 

 man would under the circumstances have a most invidious task 

 to perform. Under such circumstances Municipal Engineering 

 would not benefit the ratepayer. 



