CITY IMPROVEMENTS REPORT BY THE ENGINEER

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 32, 7 February 1913, Page 4

CITY IMPROVEMENTS REPORT BY THE ENGINEER

SCHEME FOR ORIENTAL BAY. The City Engineer (Mr. -W. H. Morton) presented to the City Council last night a number of recommendations as necessary in connection' with the improvement of the city and for the bet* ter carrying out of Various • municipal services. They were as under:— STREET CONSTRUCTION. Of recent years no subject has been more carefully considered by municipal authorities than that of road construction. The old water-bound macadamised , l-oad is now considered quite unsuited' for city traffic, this conclusion having been hastened by the 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 the nuisance and discomfort from dust. In Wellington, owing to climatic conditions and heavy cost pf first-class road metal, I consider it essential that a drastic change should be made in this class of work. Wood pavements are in every way satisfactory, but the cost (18s per super yard) does not allow of sufficient work being done every year with the amount of money available out of revenue. For J streets carrying the heaviest traffic there is no doubt but that wood pavement and mineral asphalte 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, 'stieh as Upper Willis-street, Cuba-street, Victoriastreet, Tinakori<rOad, ■ Molesworth-street, the wider portion of 'Featherston-street, Taranaki-street, Tory-street, Cambridgetermce, and others. The most satisfactory material, having due regard to economy, will, I believe, be found to be tarred macadam. In some cases this material could be laid on the existing rdad 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 desire to refer to Panama-street, Brandon-Btreet, Grey-street, and Allenstreet, which, "except for occasional bleeding' ht surplus tar into 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 tnr. At present the tar is prepared by boiling- for such length- oft 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 thumb methods be usedj but that the tar be reduced to the required condition by removalof the ammonlacal liquor and "a proportion of light oils by distillation. This will permit the tar being 'always brought to the same condition without risk as at pre sent. There should also be provided, a means for drying the metal^ and screening on up-to-date methods, mechanical mixing of concrete and tai' macadam, and also suitable carts for removal of the material to the work without undue loss of heat after, mixing. r A rough estimate of the cost of the necessary plant required is £1800. The improved appearance and cleanliness of the streets would, in my opinion^ fully justify the expenditure 5 I estimate the cost of such work to Tbe Tabout 8s 6d "atld 3s 6d per Buper yard with -and without concrete foundations respediifveJy. ' ► ; ORIENTAL BAY. 1 consider that every effort should be made to push oh with tho completion of Oriental < Bay Esplanade. This place should be one of the most attractive spots of Wellington, and, owing to its central position, would be one of those places most appreciated by citizens and visitors. This place, if occasionally brilliantly lighted, and music provided, would, undoubtedly, be most attractive, and aquatic entertainments might be 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, and it is time that a more 1 strenuous effort be made to complete the 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 j be achieved in a short space of time, rathef * than .in attempting, to. meet the numerous demands of all districts by Work done in piecemeal fashion. WATERWORKS DEPARTMENT * WORKSHOP. I desire agaih> to draw the attention of the council to the necessity, of providing a proper workshop and store, in connection with the- waterworks department at the corporation yard, Clyde,-quay. Since the extension of the. water supply to all outlying district* has beetn completed, the work of testing -fittings has increased . enormously and r without any addition having been made to the workshop and equipment. CORPORATION YARD AND STABLES. The appearance of the corporation yard is most unsightly, owing, principally to tho old ramshackle buildings in use as stables and cartsheds. The stables are unsuitable, take 'up more ground than is neceßßary, and are not of euch a sanitary nature as should be expected by tho municipality. Steps should be' taken as soon as possible to build new stables of modern character, to remove the galvanised fence along the boiln--daries, replacing some with a brick or concrete wall,. and the provision of new cartsheds. The Finance Committee reported on the above as under : — That it has , received the attached report from the City Engineer regarding city improvements, and recommended that the policy and scheme be adopted, and that s the amount required for the new plant' be provided for in next year's estimates. The City Engineer is to eubmit estimate for the works at Oriental Bay, workshops! for waterworks department, and stables at corporation yards. Councillor Shirtcliffe said the council ought to express its appreciation of the thorough manner in which the Engineer had gone into the* various matters contained in the report. Councillor. Smith" said he believed the. Engineer had arrived at a scheme which would be of very great • value to the - city. (Hear, hear.) • ' • The • report of the Committee iWas' adonted. " ' • ' '