A REPLY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4774, 10 November 1924, Page 3

A REPLY.

[To the Editor}. Si r —My attention has been drawn to a letter appearing recently in your paper over the name of W. Madgwick, and purporting to be written in the interests of the ratepayers. For some reason best known to himself the writer has addressed his enquiries to Councillor McLoughlin, but it is quite apparent that he had a definite object in his “ dirty work at the crossroads." I will deal with the points raised in rotation. Horahia Riding Loan—The specifications have been altered, and I am still of opinion that had the original specifications stood the • work could have been carried out without approaching the ratepayers for further loan authority. Ngataipua Road.—Mr MadgwiC-k states that there was no alteration in the specifications and that the work is still unfinished. This in incorrect. Rolling was not provided for, nor was provision made for getting metal from the Thames. Both these extras appeared, and the work is finished, and so far as my recollections go did not reach anywhere near the figures mentioned. Turua-Orongo Road. —I maintain my estimate is correct. Possibly Cr. Madgwick has had these specifications altered. Turua Town Board Work. Cr. Madgwick does not stale whether these specifications have been altered or whether the lowest tender has been accepted. Possibly this job could be better done on wages. When I first brought out estimates for this work, the Hauraki Plains Council instructed' me to meet the Turua Town Board officials with a view to cutting the estimates down. In company with the county chairman I did so, and eventually agreed to reduce the quantity of metal, on one or two sections. Turua-Netherton Roadis Loan. —I was requested by the council to re- , port on the Puriri Stream as a source \ of supply for metal, and did so, to the effect that I did not consider there was sufficient metal available. This, in conjunction with the cost of snagging the stream, did not in my opinion warrant the erection of a hopper. I also reported against the qual- ' ity ofl the stone for the purpose of a bitumen road. This Latter contention was upheld by the Public Works Department, and it -now appears that the metal is petering out. In regard to the conduct and control of this work, Mr Cameron was appointed and* given a free hand, but I pointed out. the advisability of starting the work at the Turua Town Board boundary and the extreme end of Orchard East Road in order to release the rails as the work proceeded. I later received a •notification from the chairman that a committee, of which Cr. MadgwicK was one, would meet me in conference at Turua to discuss the reading of that area. The decision of that committee was that Newman’s Road, and not Huirau, be done first, and £ strange to say it was suggested that Mr Cameron and myself work on those lines. I stated definitely that I would not take that responsibility or alter my decision, as I considered in the interests of the ratepayers that the roads recommended by me should be done first. Despite my protest the work was proceeded with on .the lines laid down, with the result that four miles of rails were lying useless, thus adding to the cost of the work. When tenders were called for punting metal from Puriri hopper to Gumtown road, the job was let at 2s 6d per yard, whilst at the same time under’ my arrangements metal was

being delivered from Hikutaia to points on the Waihou, and four times the distance, at less money. I would like here to point out that those controlling this work were so eager to push on to completion that expense was not always a first, consideration. In many nistances I was not consulted or advised in regard to decisions arrived at, and eventually 't was upon these grounds that I tendered my resignation Through laying the rails in advance of road forma-, tion in this area, it is practically impossible topwork economically. This r particularly to Hauraki Road. On account of the rails proving an obstruction to grading and formation working costs are considerably increased. Another noticeable instance of extravagance is provided in the bitumen heating arrangements which have now been discarded. A water cart was also purchased for the job on th? recommendation of those supervising, and has been found practically useless for the purpose intended. It is my considered opinion that under my personal supervision this work could have been done according to the original estimates provided. It is a fact that these estimates were later altered to meet the approval of the Public Works Department, which did not approve of the class of metal coming from Puriri. When first dealing with this work I did not consider Puriri as a source of supply. Relying upon Hikutaia, from where metal can be supplied at least 2s per yard cheaper than Puriri, working of course with a modern plant, and a better class of metal, too. The loose manner in which Turua-Netherton loan work has been carried on has not tended to cut costs, and I would not be at all surprised to learn that instead of exceeding the estimate by £4500, the amount will eventually exceed double that figure. Cr. Madgwick. who is “ the man behind the gun,’’ here states that these specifications have not been altered. They have, and he assisted in their alteration. Cost of Metal on Bank at Netherton—Councillor Madgwick states that I told Netherton ratepayers that this could be done at 9s 6d or 10s per yard. When I first met the Netherton rateI stated the cost at 12s 6d per yard. *1 do not remember stating the cost at 9s 6d or 10s per yard, but will let it stand and in justification advise that a contract was let and metal delivered on the banks at Netherton,

from Hikutaia, the cqst running out as follows : Breaking, 4^; carting, 2s ; punting, 2s; tallying and trimming, 3d; unloading, Is 6d; total, 9s 9d. I am of opinion that with the installation of a modern plant at Hikutaia, such as was promised when these matters were under discussion, the above low cost would not be exceeded. The statement that metal delivered to Carter’s Corner, a much nearer point, cost 16s Bd, “and not a good sample at that,” is ridiculous in the extreme. Prior, to my taking over metal from Hikutaia was costing up to 37s 6d per yard on the roads in Nethertou riding. Regarding the quality of 1 the metal from Hikutaia, I thought Cr. Madgwick would have maintained a discrete silence. It is only a few months ago that this gentleman caused*a stir in the Council by drawing attention to what he termed “the rotten class of fifth-rate metal being delivered on to our roads from Hikutaia.” Upon my invitation the whole Council were kind enough to form themselves into a committee for the purpose of inspection. With ’the sole exception of Cr. Madgwick all were agreed that Hikutaia metal was first-class quality. Cr. Madgwick has persistently endeavoured to place obstacles in my way whenever possible, and has always shown hostility. When general conditions were at their worst and my services were in request throughout the whole county he was the only councillor to speak against my having an assistant for six months. During my long engineering experience this is the first, occasion I have been called upon to reply to such an attack upon my professional capacity; indeed, it is my first experience of being the subject of one, and in view of the circumstances surrounding this particular case in question I do not intend to continue the controversy further. JAS. HIGGINS. Te Kauwhata, Nov. 3, 1924.