IMPROVE THE CITY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1668, 7 February 1913, Page 6

IMPROVE THE CITY.

MR. MORTON'S SCHEME.

WHAT TO DO WITH THE STREETS

Last night the' city engineer (Mr. W. Morton) submitted the following, recommendations for the consideration of: the council "as necessary in connection with the improvement of the city and-for tho hotter carrying out of various municipal services":— '" ■ : Street Improvement. ." "Of recent years no. subject 'has been more carefully considered by municipal authorities than that of road ■ construction. The'old water-bound' macadamised road is.now considered quite unsuited for city traffic, this conclusion having been hastened by tho enormous increase in fast-moving" vehicles ■ propelled by mechanical power. The necessity of some method of construction more permanent and creative of less dust in summer'and mud in winter requires that city streets shall be impervious to .moisture, more easily cleansed, and'of such character as will lessen-' tho nuisance, and discomfort from dust... In Wellington;' owjng' to climatic conditions and heavy cost of first-class road metal,.l consider it essential that a. drastic change should bo made in,this class of .work. .

"Wooj pavements are- in every way satisfactory, but tlio cost, (18s. per super yard) does not' allow of sufficient work being done every year with the amount of money available out ofr revenue. For streets carrying theheayiest traffic tliere is-no doubt but that wood pavement and mineral asphalto will continue to be considered most suitable, notwithstanding the cost. '.-■''

"It is, however, - the , construction of streets, of secondary importance to which I desire to draw attention, such as Upper 'Willis Street, Cuba ■ Sheet, Victoria Street, .Tinnkori lioad, Molesworth Street, the wider portion of Featherstori Street, ,Tarauaki Street, 'Tory Street, Cambridge Terrace,-aritl others.

"The most satisfactory material, having regard to economy, will, I 'believe, •be found to be tarred macadam. In some cases this material could be laid on the existing road surfaces,' but- in ; others, more particularly those • on reclaimed land, should be provided with a cement concrete foundation.

"••"As-instances;,' of successful work of this description! I desiro to refer to Panama Street, Brandon Street, Grey Street, and Allen.Street,- which, except for occasional "bleeding of surplus tarinto the street channels, are quite satisfactory. "To do this work well' requires, however, "that proper plant and- materials are available. Of first importance is'the, quality of'the tar. At present tho tar is prepared,by boiling for such longth of time as may-be considered sufficient by the .man in charge, who generally has .had experience at the work. It\is essential, however, that, no rule, of v thumb methods' be used, r but that the tar be reduced to the required condition' by removal of the ammoniacal ,'liqnor and a proportion of light oils by distillation.' This 'will 'permit' the tar being always brought to the same condition -without risk as at present. •"-. '■' '. .- - "There should also bo provided a means for drying, the nretal. and screening■ on ujvto-date methods, mechanical mixing of concrete and tar,macadam,' and also suitable carts for. Temoval of the material to the work without undue loss of , heat after mixing. 1 "A. rough estimate of the cost of .the necessary plant required is i! 1800. The improved \ appearance and cleanliness of the streets would, in.my opinion, fully justify the expenditure. I estimate; the cost of such work to be about. Bs.- 6d. and 3s. Gd. per super yard with "and without concrete foundations respectively.'

.■■■•'■■ Improvement of Oriental Bay!. "I consider that every effort should be mado to push on with tho completion of the Oriental Bay esplanade. This place should be one of tho most attractive spots of Wellington, and owing to' its central portion would bo one of those places most appreciated by citizens and visitors. This place, if occasionally brilliantly lighted, and music provided,.would undoubtedly bo most attractive, and aquatic entertainments- might bo provided occasionally by the swimming and boating clubs of the city. Up to the present very little money has been available for the completion of this work principally owing to the demands of'; the residential areas, but it is time that a more strenuous effort be made to complete" tho work from the baths to a point opposite the, northern boundary of Town Acre 429. • I would respectfully point out that it is better to concentrate efforts upon a work of some importance and from which a tangible result would be achieved a short space of time, rather than in attempting to meet the' numerous demands of. all districts by work done in piecemeal fashion. '..-..

Waterworks Department Workshop. "I desrire again to draw the attention of the council to. the necessity of providing a proper workshop'.and store iii connection with the Waterworks Department-at the Corporation yard. Clyde Quay. Since ,the -extension of the water supply to alloutlying districts the work- of testing, fittings has increased -enormously and without any addition-having been made to the workshop and' equipment.

:. Corporation Yard and Stabies. "The appearance of the-Corporation yard is unsightly owing principally to the old and ram-shackle buildings in-'use as stables and cart-sheds. The stables are unsuitable, take up more ground than is necessary, and are not of such sanitary nature as should be expected from the municipality. "Steps should bo taken as soon-as .possible to build, new'.stables, of modern character, to remove the galvanised fence along the boundaries, replacing same with a brick or concrete wall, and the provieion of new cart-sheds," Scheme Adopted. The Reserves Committee of the Council recommended that. the policy and scheme should be adopted, and that the amount,required for the new 1 * plant should be provided for in next year's estimates. "The city engineer," added the committee, "is to submit estimates for the works at Oriental Bay, workshoDS for Waterworks Department, and stables at Corporation yards." The committee's recommendation was adopted by the council,, and the councillors commended Sir. Morton ■■ on Jus scheme.. ,' . ...... , , ~._