THE MAKING OF A TOWN

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 298, 28 September 1910, Page 2

THE MAKING OF A TOWN

Engineer's Report. Following up the primary report published in our issue of August 27th, Mr L. G. P. Spencer, the consulting engineer appointed by Te Kuiti Borough Council, has now furnished the attached further report on the various works required to be done to efficiently road, drain and give a water supply for the borough:— "The report on streets has now been made very comprehensive, embodying practically the whole of them and including the widening of the Waiteti road at the south end of Rora street. This street at the narrowest part has at present only about 10 feet available for traffic, should the ,rtaliway Department fence out to their boundary, so that in my estimate of filling out I have estimated that an additional 25 to 30 feet will be available making this filling about 300 feet long in a circular curveal~so for the construction of a piled breastwork at the downstream end of the new cut, which will probably have the effect ol: partly silting up the old channel. In the swampy parts of the borough, I consider the formation should be fascined and clayed or pumiced, if procurable, as I consider it very undesirable to metal on top of the peat without the intermediary of a cushion as described. These parts should also be thoroughly drained with surface drains, which would be beneficial to both the streets and also to the adjoining residents. The following estimate for metalling, footpaths, draining and fencing, includes nearly all the dedicated streets in the borough, as follows: —Queen street, Seddon street, Tonga street, John street. Princess street, King street, Tawhana street, Carroll street, Ward street, Ngata steert, Edward street, Hill street, Elizabeth street, Mary street, George street, Duke street, Hikaka street, Carroll street north, Rora street filling, Waiteti road Awakino road, Esplanade-Rora street to Taupiri street, Taupiri street, Sheridan street, King street—east of railway, Taupiri street north, Alexandra street, Hinerangi street, Esplanade and Te Kuiti 2b, Mangorina road to quarry, footbridge-Rora street to Esplanade east, Te Kumi road, Green and Colebrook's subdivisions with roads thereto, Tawa street deviation to Mangaorina road, river deviation —at an approximate cost of £11,000." WATER SUPPLY. In his original report the engineer dealt with the Mangaokewa scheme, which he estimated would cost £15,565. The following is his supplementary report: — Suggested Mokau Source. This source I consider financially impracticable owing to the river being at Puketutu station some 46 to 50 feet below the lowest part of the watershed (on the railway) of the Mokau and Waiteti streams. This would, to get the necessary fall, me&n that the intake and dam would have to be placed some miles above Puketutu station — making the pipe-line probably some 12 to 14 miles long. Suggested Waiteti Source. —This appears to be the cheapest scheme that can be got for your town, and is in some respects the most desirable, at the same time having the one serious drawback as to the doubt of a sufficiency of water in the dry summer months. Categorically these features may thus be dealt with: —At about six miles from town on Mr Gillander'ri property and at an elevation of some 360 ft above it there exists a depression where three or four creeks converge, which appears a suitable place for impounding with a dam a fair amount of water —probaly some two to four million gallons. Lower down the stream another impounding dam could be constructed as the exigencies of the town requirsd the increased supply. This would still be at a suitable elevation to give ample pressure from the town, but would not at first be required. A slight increase to the supply could also be obtained by picking up with a small branch pipe at a suitable elevation the creek which runs by Mr Gillander's house—which I am informed never runs dry. As the elevation of the proposed primary dam will be, in my opinion, too high, giving some 155 pounds to the square inch on the flat in Te Kuiti, it will be advisable to construct a break-pressure tank at a suitable elevation, say some 80 or 100 feet below the dam giving a good working pressure of 112 to 120 lbs to the square inch on the flat in town. The main would have a very favourable location along the Waiteti road and always be handy for inspection and possibly one or two consumers could be got on the line. As regards the sufficiency of water, I do not consider that the head waters of the Wai'teti can be expected to supply anything but a limited population, advisedly I wc.uld say 4000 to 5000 people—and that with care—unless your council resorts to an intermittent supply or a meter system, when the consumption would probably be only one-half of what it wopld be other wise. At the same time when the town grows to the extent mentioned its resources may be better able to go in for an alterna"tive to or extension of the supply under review, the head works will consist of a dam, overflow weir, straining chamber, scour, etc., I cannot say until trial pits are sunk what would be the most efficient class of dam. probably it will consist of an earthen dam with a concrete core wall if suitable clay for the latter is not locally available. The cost will not. however, vary to any serious extent whichever class of dam is adopted. With the fall indicated an eight-inch pipe will be sufficient for the town's requirement, the capacity of this size pipe being fully 500,000 gallons per day. Estimate: Waiteti Scheme. —Six miles Bin. s,r. pipe at £IOSO per mile, £6300; reticulation, say £3000; intake dam, waste weir, straining well, fence, etc., £1200; break pressure tank, air, scour and stop, valves, etc., £200; fire plugs, etc., £300; total £11,000; contingencies engineering

10 per cent., on £II,OOO, £1100; grand total, exclusive of land compensaion, £12,100. DRAINAGE. No further report was given on this subject, the estimated cost, exclusive of owner's own connections, being £3521. Summarised, the estimates show: Sreets and roads (approxi- £ mately) ••• 11,000 Water supply (Waiteti scheme) ... 12,100 Drainage ... 3,521 Total ... £26,621 At the meeting of Te Kuiti Borough Council on Monday evening last the above report was considered. Present —His Worship the Mayor (Mr Jas. Boddie), Crs Stevens, Young, Somerville, King, Pepene Eketone, Hardy, Hetet, Julian and Lusk. The clerk read the engineer's report (as above), commencing with the water supply. Cr Lusk considered the report was a very satisfactory one, and that the matter had been very fairly put before. them by the engineer. He considered that a larger supply than that stated by the engineer could easily be obtained. He would like to see the suggested water supply tested after a dry weather. In reply to Cr Stevens the Mayor stated that the present proposed water supply would cost £3465 less than the original scheme. The Mayor thought a very considerable amount of extra water couid be obtained and stored at no great expense. He also thought that a supply sufficient to last through a prolonged dry spell should be obtained. Cr Julian thought the supply of water in the Waiteti creek would, in the summer months, be very small. Cr Hardy agreed with this, but considered the springs adjacent would supply aj large quantity of water. He also 'thought that if it were necessary two or three dams could be made supply kept up, as a large scope of country drained into the creek. The report on street works was then read. Dr Makgill and Mr Bennet (inspector) waited upon the council. The Mayor welcomed Dr Makgill and said the council would be very glad to listen to a few remarks from him. Dr Makgill stated that he had come to Te Kuiti in order to take of the water proposed 1o be used for the town supply which he would forward to Wellington for analysis. He also intended to visit the site of the proposed septic tank. With regard to the borough building by-laws the doctor stated that the matter of building areas was at the present time a burning question in all large and growing towns. The area had hitherto been J-acre, some people brought pressure to bear to have this area reduced, some brought pressure to bear in the other direction. He personally did not favour reduction and considered a fair-sized building area was required and stated that where there was no water system for drainage, outbuildings should be placed some distance away from dwellings. No doubt they were aware that most boroughs had fixed building areas which varied in size. He had only been in the'town a few hours but noticed a tendency in Te Kuiti to crowd areas, and advised the council when dealing with the by-laws to carefully consider this matter, as he considered the chance was now opportune to start on the right lines. "I have been through your sanitary by-laws," said the doctor, "and consider them excellent." In reply to the Mayor Dr Makgill said that in dealing with building areas shops could hardly be classed in the same category as houses. A special clause would have to be inserted dealing with shop areas fronting the main street. With regard to drainage, the council should see that no drains were taken underneath buildings. He considered that special rights-of-way should be taken for the purpose o£ running drains. Cr Hardy thought that where two sections joined, a right-of-way of say 15 feet should be taken for the purpose of drainage. He thought the Government should take a hand in the matter. . Dr Makgill suggested that a Town Planning Bill, which is in vogue in England, would be a good thing here. The council proceeded to discuss, in detail, the engineer's report with regard to roads. Cr Hardy moved that provision be made for a footbridge over the river at the end of Sheridan street. Seconded by Cr Stevens and carried. Crs Somerville and Julian moved that the engineer's report be approved as read. —Carried. Cr Lusk suggested that some proviso should be made making it unnecessary to keep absolutely to details when carrying out the road works. Cr Hardy concurred with the suggestion. The Mayor suggested that the matter of dates in connection with the furtherance of the loan should be gone in to and a meeting of ratepayers called in order to put the financial aspect fully before the public. Crs Somerville and Lusk moved that a meeting of ratepayers be held in the Town Hall on Thursday next at 8 p.m. Carried, The Mayor and Cr Lusk moved that a committee be set up for the purpose of going into the matter of lighting. — Carried. The following were appointed as the lighting committee:--The Mayor, Crs Hardy, Lusk and Young. Resolved on the motion of Crs Somerville and Stevens that the Fire Brigade supply the council with a report of equipment required, the same to be submitted to the council at their next meeting. Moved by the Mayor and Cr Somerville that the matter of railway station and yards be left in the hands of the legal and finance committee with power to act, —Carried.