COUNTY ROLLER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4776, 14 November 1924, Page 3

COUNTY ROLLER.

CONTRACT OB DAY WORK. LEFT TO ENGINEER. Two rollers were considered necessary by some of the members of the Hauraki Plains County Council on Tuesday. A Christchurch firm telegraphed asking for permission to cable and confirm the council’s order for a road roller.

Cr. Mayn contended that a second roller was not required.

Cr. Madgwick said that with only one roller a great deal of work wou.il be held up. The sanction of the council and the ratepayers had been given tor the purchase of machinery. Crs. McLoughlin and Mayn pointed out that it would mean an increase in rates, and that could not be afforded.

Cr. Hare thought that rollers were necessary.

In reply to Cr. Harris the engineer said tnat the position was dependent on the amount of money to be spent. For ah the work authorised two rollers were required. He was of opinion that it would be better to let more w'ork by contract. The council might think it could do the wont cheaper than by letting contracts, but when the overhead was charged the cost was much more. The machinery Ipan of £55,000 would require about £150,000 to repay it. It would mean that £lOOO a mile for 150 miles would have to be spent for machinery. Since the highways scheme had been brought into operation numerous construction companies had been formed, so tenders would be forthcoming, ft would be very economical to join the various loans and let big contracts. The matter was left in the engineer’s bands to act as he thought fit.