WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 January 1921, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 11th, 1921

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

The following report was presented at the meeting of the Council this afteinoon:—

Sir and Gentlemen. —Your Committee met on the 13tli December to confer as directed by the Council, with Overseer Millner as to means considered necessary to expedite the expenditure of grants etc for urgent works throughout the County. There were present Crs T. R. Chesterman (.Chairman),. R. Ward, W. H. Chinn, J. A. # Murdoch (County Chairman) and Overseer .Millner. A list of grants authorised and unexpended also of new. votes on the Appropriations to be spent, was placed before the Committee. The* expenditure so involved is a very large sum ol money and unless the works are advanced substantially, the unexpended balances when the next Estimates are compiled will preclude the necessity for much new money, which will mean withholding additional Government grants for a period, and to that extent be an injustice to the district. Your Committee considered many of the works in detail, and found that there would be a difficulty in securing labor to make a material impression on the votes within the financial year. The County Chairman who had lately returned from Wellington furnishod the Committee with a favorable report on te operations of the key land tipping lorry which lie saw undergoing all kinds of trials about Wellington at a special demonstration. A copy of tbo Cbailman’s report is as follows: — During my visit to Wellington, 1 inspected the assembly garage of -Messrs Let la ml Motors Limited, and inspected some half dozen machines in various stages of erection. All were of tlu

j I-ton type, and the majority were model , ” There was also, however, a model j “Jl.” This has a wheel base of 15. bins, ! while the model “G” 'has a wheel has** 1 of 14ins. All those inspected were bei ing fitted for tipping gear; three of J them being to the order of the Rangitikoi County Council, one for the Palmerston North Borough Council, and two for the Wellington City C ouncil. Two sorts of tip gear were seen in action. First of all, the Woolridge mechanical type. This tip is being fitted to the first ordered for the Rangitikei County Council, ami worked very smoothly, and with any amount of power. The body is fitted with a vari-able-opening door, and is constructed so as to come as low down as possible in the chassis, thus giving a very convenient loading height, where it is necessary to load by hand. This gear is of course driven from the engine, and is very simple and efficient. Later 1 was able to inspect the hydraulic type of tipping gear which is the one favoured by Leyland Motors Limited. It is even simpler than the mechanical type, and require a very small consumption of power from the engine. The lorry inspected was engaged in tipping bricks, which it did easily and surely. This is the type of tip gear which is specified by the Wellington City Council, the mechanical type being fitted as the hydraulic one was, at the moment unobtainable. I inspected these machines in com-

pa ay with Mr Duncan F. Bnuchop, the General Manager for X«w Zealand for Messrs Ley la lid Motors Limited, and also their attorney. The company is firmly established, and reports having sold just on 100 machines since their establishment some 14 months ago. I had pointed out the site on Lambton Quay, purchased by the company on which their building is to he constructed, combining all their departments, and in their policy an emphatic point is made of the fact that their staff was one controlled by experts, specially brought from the Ley land Factory, situated in Lancashire, in F'ngland. Large stocks of spare parts are hold, and it is obviously very easy to supply any necessities from stock, at the shortest rioliee. The head mechanic from Le.vland is Mr \V. Petty, who was instrumental in erecting Messrs Whi ley and Whiley’s machine, now running on the Coast, anß Mr Petty’s service would be available for erection, on the spot, of any machines ordered, and he would also he able to instruct one or more local drivers.

1 enquired the price of these ma chines fitted with tipping gears, and was informed that the following was the price listed: — £ Tipping wagon, model “G” (short wheel base) chassis 1745 Tipping gear hydraulic 175 Body, 3 yards capacity HO £1,700 F.0.1L Wellington. £ Tipping wagon, model “I” (long wheel base) chassis 1000 Tipping gear hydraulic 17.5 Body, 3 yards capacity 110 £1,885 F.0.1L Wellington. Shipping to the West Coast extra, hut assembly not charged for, beyond maehanic’s expenses and time. If mechanical tip gear fitted £25 extra. If steel lining to floors £25 extra. Finance.—The firm’s terms are cash on delivery; in the ease of municipal bodies etc, however, might h« discussed.

I was able to secure a certain amount of literature connected with this linn’s machines, such as specifications, running costs, photographs, etc., which I submit herewith.

Various catalogues and reports were before your Committee, and Overseer Millner was consulted as to the desirability of procuring a motor tipping lorry to facilitate road construction and repair works. It was pointed out that several grants involving widening and extensions could be greatly facilitated in expenditure, while for repair work and making greater use of the road grader the power machine would he very satisfactory. The Committee gave some consideration to the working of the plant, and it was considered that with a small road staff who could he moved about with the plant, more economical results in time arid money would be effected bv the power plant. On the question of finance the Treasurer was consulted and reported that if deferred payments were arranged over a year, the plant could he paid for out of ordinary revenue within that period. An amount of, say £750, would be paid

down with the order, and the balance ] spread over twelve months at intervals, i This would enable the cost to he spread over two years of the County accounts, and would not he an undue strain on the funds. In connection with grants expenditure, the plant would show earning power, as for metalling etc a charge could reasonably be made against the grants, and this income would he a return on the cost of the plant. The matter having been considered from all points* it was resolved to recommend your Council as follows 1. —That a Leyland motor lorry he purchased if suitable terms for deferred payment can lie aranged to meet the finances of the Council, and enable the cost to be discharged out of ordinary revenue. The Clerk to deal direct with . the headquarters of the firm at \\cl-| lington, and it be a condition that Mr Petty, the chief mechanic of the branch visit and assemble the parts of the machine, and give‘a satisfactory trial and demonstration for Councillors. 2. That a machine with hydraulic tipping gear he procured and delivered here for use as early as possible. 3. —That conformable with the loregoing being accepted, Overseer A4i liner he directed to prepare for the bousing of the machine and the erection of a petrol depot as discussed with your Committee, ami Roadman Dale be selected as driver for the lorry. Your Committee at the above meeting dealt with the rearrangement of the Roadman’s duties, and notices have Peon sent out requesting further de tails of work done during each month detailed on the monthly diaries. Representations regarding an additional Roadman for the Inter Wanganui district were made, and it was resolved to invite applications for same, the Council to determine the matter of iinal appointment.

The question of repair parties in view of the difficulty of securing casual labor was defern’il pending a decision regarding the purchase of a lorry. It this matter action is agreed to, ii will be possible to make certain arrangements which will greatly facilitate repair work in connection with road and bridge maintenance.

Overseer Millner indicated bis proposed arrangements to prepare plans and specifications for grants expenditure, and these were approved. There is a considerable list of works requiring attention and they will receive attention as quickly as possible.

REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMUTE I REGARDING BOLT) HEAD ROAD.

The following report was placed lielore the Coum-i at the ordinary meeting this afternoon: -Your committee consisting of Crs Chinn, (voted to the chair) Jeffries, Ritchie and Murdoch (County Chairman) met on the Mth December in conference with Messrs Stuart and Chapman Ltd (represented by Messrs W. J. Butler and G. H. Chapman) regarding the motion adopted lit. last meeting of the Council in respect to Bold Head Road construction and service.

The Council’s motion embodied the following points:— 1. —Extension of sawmill tramway along road route. 2. Planking all culverts and bridges for stock and vehicle traffic.

3,—Freight charges for settlers' goods (including Mock) carried over the tramway lino to and from Ross railway station.

4. Question of future metalling of tluj road route for vehicle traffic over tile unfinished portion of Bold Head lload. On those matters the follow ini' information was elicited. 1, —The extension of the tramway line was in hand, anil earth works were now proceeding; the laying of the rails towards the Waitaha would be continued as soon as the material—now wailing shipment at Newcastle—was available. Regarding the earth works particulars were given of a sixty chain section of the proposed line at the southern end which for tramway traffic required regrading as over a distance of four chains of the road there was a rise of over 17 feot. At present a deviation cutting was being made at the side of the road and the matter of putting the cutting through the centre ot the road line was of moment, and the question was left undetermined, further enquiry to he made, and if found necessary the County authorities to inspect the position within a few days.

2.- Regarding the planking of culverts etc. for stock and vehicle traffic, the Company was agreeable to have the work done .provided the Company was paid for any costs on account of the culverts in extra stringers and planking, additional to that required for tramway culverts. Where an extra expense was involved the Company to put in road culverts without charge. 3. —On freight charges it was agreed that a tariff would he fixed at reasonable rates. Tt was stated also, the .tramway guage would bo the same as the railway guage so that traffic over the private and public line would ho intercliangeabe without the necessity for transhipment. The weight of the tramway rails would not he less than 401bs sufficient to carry stock or general pro duee carriage.

4.—Metalling could he carried out as the lease provided by using the tramway, and for this service a reasonable charge would be made. Tt was agreed that joint action should be taken by the Council and the company to secure the use of Government stock as required on the line fo any road metalling, or for the future operation of the line in the carriage of settlers’ goods, stocks and freight. Arising out of the general matters discussed in tho foregoing the special Committee adopted the following resolutions;

Moved by the County Chairman, seconded by Cr. Jeffries: —“That, the Special Committee endorses the action of the Council in the past as to the agreement made with regard to the Mikonui tramway traffic bridge, and tho yearly right granted to use the Bold fiend road reserve for tramway purposes.” Moved by Cr Jeffries seconded by Mr Chinn (Chairman of Committee) “That with the object of facilitating the purpose of Mr Chinn’s motion adopted by the Council, to consider granting forthwith to Messrs Stuart and Chapman Ltd something more secure than the existing yearly tenure, and that tin Council appoint a Committee of the Council to discuss with Messrs Stuart and Chapman Ltd wlmt concessions can

be mutually agreed upon as between the Council and the Company.” The town members of your Committee were appointed to act in regard to any question arising out of the foregoing proceedings prior to the Council meeting. Your Committee further agreed to wait on the Rt. lion. Minister of Rail 1 ways when visiting the district next month, and if possible induce Rt Hon. Mr Massey to visit and inspect the route, and go into the question of road construction as well as granting railway facilities over the tramway line which will be required for the transport of goods stock etc. to and from Ross railwav station..