THE WATERWORKS CONTRACT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2147, 1 August 1907, Page 2

THE WATERWORKS CONTRACT.

DAMAGE TO ROADS.

The Mayor stated at Tuesdays Borough Council meeting that on Saturday lie had an interview with Cr. White, of tho Cook County Council, wlu had been deputed with Cr. Lysnay to wait on tho Borough Council m.ij ascertain its intention with refeience to re-instating County roads after the laying of the water pipes. Tho County Council strongly complained about the condition of tho roads where trenches had been cut ai.d pipes laid. There was no doubt, said the Mayor, the roads were very

had indeed at places, hut lie made it clea> to Cr. White that the Borough Cc-uncil placed the onus upon the contractor. The ' Borough Council was not responsible, beyond asking that the roads be put hack in order

.as soon as possible. Under the presen- weather conditions it was absolutely impossible for the contractor to do much in the way of remedying matters, for in’ many places the country was under water, and the soil was like putty. “It will have to stand ever until the contract is finished,” said tho Mayor, “and then we shall ascertain what tho contractor intends to do.” Cr. White was very emphatic in stating the County Council’s views, and trusted the Borough Council would take steps ,to see that the roads were placed in the same order as they were before tlje contract was commenced. “We arj quite as anxious as the County Council,” added the Mayor, “to see justice done to tlio country people who have, we all recognise, been very forbearing indeed, and to put them to as little inconvenience as possible.” But too much could not he expected at present, Some of the men had had to work up to their arms in water. Cr. White asked why, then, had the work not been completed during the dry weather, and lie (the Mayor) had pointed out the impossibility of completing tho work much earlier. The Mayor added that lie liad received a complaint from Mr. Sisterson about the drains being left open in his place, but that was explained by the need for tests before the trench was filled in, and Mr. Sisterson was quite prepared to overlook it. When the weather settled tlibre would soon he an improvement in the state of affairs. At present the settlers had

to put up with a good deal of convenience.

Cr. Whin ray: It has been an exceptional winter. The Mayor: Yes; last winter was much drier.

Cl'. Bright asked why the trenches had been, left open so long? The Mayor said they could not be filled in until the water was turned on to test the pipes. Cr. Bright contended that the Council had not been kept sufficiently posted up as to the progress of the work. They were entitled for .the monetary consideration they paid, to have a responsible engineer in charge of the work. The contract was now two or three months overdue. Had it been completed by May tliero would not have been these complaints about the roads/ Ho had contended from the first that a responsible man should be in permanent charge, and was still of the same opinion. The Mayor said the Engineer was just as much annoyed and disappointed as the Council at the delay, it was expensive to him, to the contractor, and to the Council; everybody concerned was losing. He pointed out that Mr. Couston, Mr. Hay’s representative', was hero at the beginning of the month and gave the Council a report. A rejiort was presented before each payment. Mr. Couston did his best, and gave' the contractor notice of being overdue, rim work had now reached Matawhero. Cr. Williams said there were several gaps in the weeks. This seemed a peculiar thing. The Mayor said the contractor had tesed the pipes somewhere higher up, and there, were two “blow-outs.” Where these were located he did not know.

Clr, Williams said the leakage from tin pipes . was .very'"bad, r .nju4 had made quagmires of. the road in places. In ono place a horse, driven' in . a vehicle, sank up to its girths in the soaked ground. Cr. Sawyer said this was what caused many complaints.

Cr Sheridan remarked that the country poeple, had been very patient, all tilings considered. The Mayor: I don’s say for a moment that they are complaining without cause.

Tho discussion ended without anything definite accruing.