TE ARAI WATERWORKS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2158, 6 April 1908, Page 2

TE ARAI WATERWORKS.

AVIIO PAYS FOR THE DAMAGE?

.Air. Robert Hay, engineer for the Gisborne Borough Council to the waterworks scheme, arrived from Dunedin on Saturday morning, and was engaged in consultation tlio greater part of the day with the representative of the contractors, Air. Bignell ,and his assistant, Air. B. Couslon. Afr. Hay is in imlilfeient health, and made the journey at great personal inconvenience, behoving that the difficulty demanded his personal consultation with the Alayor an<i Councillors. In conversation with a “Times” reporter, Air. Hay said ho was pleased to know the damage at the Te And creek was not so serious as he was at first loci to believe; I though it was serious enough, and would cause a further delay in the -completion of tlio work. Tho damage covered thirteen chains, and although ho had not time to go out to the spot. 1,0 had been supplied with particulars and photographs of tho damaged pipes. Only about thirteen chains of pipes appeared to have suffered; hut the whole length would need to be thoroughly tested to see if the points would stand the pressure required. The damage visible could be repaired in a short time if Hie work was done expeditiously, and the repairs would cost no more than a few hundred . pounds. Ho did not consider it advisable or practicable to alter tlio lino of survey, though perhaps a new method would have to be used to bed tlio mains so that they could better resist flood water. Tho flood was an exceptional one.lmt precautions would m ,„d to bo taken against such another ' possibility. Tho specifications protected tlio Council against paying for tlio damage, but whether the conti actors would bo liable in a Court of lenity for what might be termed an act of God ho could not say. He was sure that when the work was taken over it would prove clhcieut. The contractors have to prove the pipes were able to stand a certain pressure, and though this work had , been much protracted, lie was hopeful tho mains would bo completed without ■ further mishap. ,So far the chief di*

f altv was in the points, bub the nipes" themselves wore answering their nirpose splendidly. DISCUSSION BY THE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

•V special mooting of the Borough Council was held on Saturday ovenjn<r to receive a report tram Mi. Hay, ami discuss tho position, lhero wore present: Tho Mayor (Mr J. ownley), Crs J. W. Bright, E. H. Mann, W. Bettie, Dr. Williams, Wlnnrny, Somervell, and Sawyer. Mr. Hav and Mr. Couston wore also in attendance, but Mr. Bignoll was '"Tlm MavoV read the following letter from Mr.' Hay:—“l have to. report that tho completion of the mam pipe I : ne contract has ben further delayed by a Hood in tho To Aral creek on March 26th. About 12 chains o tho nino-inch pipes ami 3 chains oi tho 15-incli pipes have been apparently damaged, and a number of the boulder weirs serving as a protection for the pipes at the creek crossing are destroyed, or partly destroyed. Tho damage generally is not or a serious nature, and is accounted for by the sudden and heavy rainfall oil the ilayin question, for 1 am informed that in a very short space of time heavy timber coming down tho creek in the flood evidently caused tho principal damage to the weirs. Some ot the weirs, however, acted excellently, and .suffered no damage. I will supply the Council with further details at tho meeting to-night, when consideration of the liability can also be discussed.” , • Tho Mavor said tho Council was pleased to’seo Mr. Hay present, though not on tho unpleasant business or I the damage to the waterworks, .lie moved that tho Council go into committee to discuses tho matter. "Mr. Hay intimated that ho had a lull <r report to lav before tho Council, and Councillors felt that as many ] ( .,r;il points were likely to arise out position the subject should be discussed without the representatives or the Press 'being present. The reporters then withdrew, and the Council spent some time in consultation with tho engineer. THE DECISION.

When seen after tho meeting, the Mavor told a “Times” reporter that tho” Council had instructed Mr. Hay to writo to tho contractors, calling upon them to complete their contract with tho greatest possiblo speed. This letter was written and handed to Mr. Bignell on Saturday evening. Mr Bignell left for Wanganui yesterday to placo the position before the directors oi the Spiral Steel lipo Company.