PAPAKURA WATER SUPPLY.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 625, 19 April 1921, Page 4

PAPAKURA WATER SUPPLY.

PROGRESS REPORT. At last night's meeting of the Papakura Town Board, the Board’s engineers, Messrs Gannon and Worley, reported upon the progress of the water supply scheme as follows: Tie work done to the 31s March comprises (1) Construction! of dam at headworks, with cement shed; (2) reticulation in the following Opaheke road, Chapel street, Onsloir’i road, King Edward street, Railway street. Total length of pipes 3859 ft. Work done from April 1 to April 14 consisted of the reticulation of the following streets: Wellington, Cook and Elliott Streets; total length of pipes 5354 ft. This makes the total length of pipes laid to date 9 )13ft. The reticulation work commenced on March 14, so good progress has been made. The work is being carried out at a very reasonable cost. The average cost of laying pipes, including excavation, joining, laying, filling and ramming works out at fid per lineal foot. The average cost of excavation works out at Is 6d per cubic yard and the average cost of filling in and ramming at 9d per cubic yard./ These figures speak for themselves. A contract was let at Morrinsville recently for trenching alone at 2s 3d per cubic yard. The work proposed f,or the next fortnight consists of the reticulation of the following streets:— East (from Union Street to Cole’s Crescent), Wood Street, Green Street and part of union Street.—The report was received.

They also reported that in accordance with instructions they had mapped out a reticualtion scheme for the outlying portions of the district not included in the former scheme. This would

Mr Campbell stated that the position was entirely unsatisfactory. The residents understood and the Roard understood that when the £28,000 loan for water supply was placed before the ratepayers every house in the district would be supplied. Such was not the case now and if every house was to be supplied, a loan of another £4OOO was necessary. He claimed the Board had been misled.

The chairman explained that when the scheme was mapped out the money would have completed the work, but rising costs had caused the scheme to be modified.

Mr Campbell maintained that the engineer had allowed for increased cost, of materials.

Mr Rea explained that at the time there was a tendency for prices tso fall but instead they rose still higher. They were beginning to fall now.

Mr McLennan said other local

bodies were similarly situated. The chairman said the whole area could not be done for the money. He was sorry but they would have to do whatever they could.

Mr Campbell said there was considerable feeling over the matter. The letter was received.