WATER AND DRAINAGE WORKS

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2295, 28 June 1921, Page 2

WATER AND DRAINAGE WORKS

' ENGINEER’S REPORT.

At last night’s Borough Council meeting the Engineer for the water and drainage works reported as follows :

“Since last meeting of your Council the sewer from M.H. 1 to M.H. 3 has been completed, with the exception of the setting of man-hole frames and covers —the first consignment of which reached' us today. \\ ith further frames and covers coming to hand, we hope to complete the manholes in Union, Johnston, Russell arid Main Streets in a week or ten days. In accordance with instructions received at last meeting, Mr Read has opened out the section of sewer leading from M.H. 7 along right-of-way and Duncan Street. This sewer is being constructed of F. & G. earthenware pipes (Murphy’s), obtained from the Wellington Drain Pipe Co., and some six chains have been laid and. tested. The test was not. so satisfactory at first ns for cement pipes, but finally a good test was obtained. Herewith we hand in a plan of Foxton sewer reticulation for advertising the lockring of objections. The longitudinal sections of sewer will be ready in the course of a week. On 23rd instant we handed in a plan and specification of collecting reservoir, for which tenders are being called. We have to report that a considerable quantity of.trenching timber has been taken from the works. This has been going on for some time, but lately the matter has become serious, several hundreds of feet having disappeared. Also three hurricane lamps have disappeared, two quite recently. The foreman also reports that frequently the wicks are turned high, with the result that the glass becomes sooted, and the lamp ( goes out. Steps must he taken to stop these practices. The Cement Pipe Company has 200 six-inch pipes ready, so that further six-inch sewers can be laid with these; also 200 nine-inch pipes. Your Council should accept the Company’s tender in connection with these, also with regard to the 4-inch pipes.”

Cr. Marlin asked whether the earthenware pipes' were satisfactory or not.

Mr Murray (engineer) stated that about three chains of earthenware pipes had been carefully laid, and when tested with the smoke, had proved quite unsatisfactory. The smoke in some cases appeared to he coming through the pipes themselves, and had lo he gone over again.

Cr. Martin: Is the supply of concrete pipes satisfactory?

Mr .Murray said that the manufacturers had ready 200 nine-inch and 200 six-inch pipes. The trouble had been that the Council would not guarantee to take the pipes, and so die manufacturers had stopped making them. Cr. Coley stated that if the pipes were in dial state they mustlie second class pipes, and not firstclass, as ordered. Mr Murray also pointed out that a great deal more compo was needed with the earthenware pipes. The flanges seemed 'to he much wider and deeper. Cr. Whibley suggested that the Council cancel the balance of the order.

C'r. Coley pointed out that Wellington used the glazed pipes, both hlg and little. Cr. 'Martin asked it' they were of i he same material.

Mr .Murray pointed out that the pipes were not ns thick as they used to be.

Decided that the Engineers’ report be adopted, and that the balance of the order for earthenware pipes be cancelled. It was also decided that the drainage map be advertised as open for inspection, and that the date for hearing objections be fixed for Bth August. 1921.

Cr. Martin asked where the 33 nine-inch pipes at the racecourse bad gone to.

Cr. Coley stated that the Racing Club was in need of 33 pipes for drainage work. He had seen Mr Murray and Mr Reid, and they lmd made no objection to the Club borrowing them until their own arrived. They were rpiitc willing to pay for them, or just to borrow them, as the Council wished.

Cr. Martin stated that he objected to the pipes being lent or sold in this manner. He stated that the Water and Drainage Committee were responsible to the Council, and asked why the matter had not appeared in the report. He thought the Council should have been consulted in the matter.