WHATS WRONG.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3538, 16 September 1926, Page 2

WHATS WRONG.

STRUCTION.

MAIN HIGHWAYS CON-

IN MANAWATU COUNTY.

MANAGEMENT OF CONSULTING ENGINEER,

“There is something wrong and if we are going along on these) lines we are going to be in difficulties,” said Or. Fagan, at yesterday’s meeting of the Manawatu County Council, when bringing under the notice of the Council the condition of the section of the Sandon-Bulls highway which the County had commenced to reconstruct in preparation for treatment with bitumen. Cr. Fagan had brought the matter before the Council at last month’s meeting, when it was resolved to stop the work. The facts of the ■ case, as outlined byCr. Fagan were that the Council had spent £3,750 on three-quarters of a mile of this section of the road, while the estimate for the total of three miles was £7600. In addition to the money already expended, there were two bridges yet to be built as well as the remainder of the road. The Council would have, to be very careful for the work already done was certainly far too extravagant. The portion of the road done was most unsatisfactory. The road was a mass of waves. Not enough attention had been given to _the matter of economy. Cr. Fagan said he felt very strongly on the matter, as the Council had wasted too much time on the work. “I think money has been wasted, and we will have to consider getting assistance. This is the third time I have drawn the Council’s attention to the state of this road.” '1

Cr. Barber agreed with Cr. Fagan, and said that the road was wider than the specification. The engineer had made mistakes and this had been responsible 'for the cost mounting, 'fife estimate had been exceeded considerably.

The chairman (Cr. H. Hunt): It is only fair to point out that( the original estimate for this work was £0,325, but this was cut down by the Highways Board.

Cr. Barber: Well he (Mr. Hickford) should have stuck to his estimate.

The chairman: His estimate was cut down to £7,G00. Cr. Barber t It is up to Mi’. Hickford to give some explanation.

Ci’. Fagan: I would like to ask Mr. Hickford what amount of metal has been put on the road? Mr. Hickford (County Engineer); A considerable quantity, but I cannot say the amount. Continuing, Mr. Hickford said that a foreman was in charge, and a quantity of the metal put out for this work was taken away from the) dump for other work and would have to be brought back. Work had been done on the road contrary to the speaker’s instructions. There was more work than he had anticipated, and h(f had made the road wider than he should have. The grading and rolling was carried, out contrary to his instructions. In the future he would stick rigidly to the specifications. The chairman: When Mr. Hannah inspected the work I asked him whether we should stop the work or go on. Mr. Hannah told us to go on, but I am very sorry it was allowed to proceed. I am anxious to do the right thing, and I want the. _

Council to decide. \V ! e cannot go on as at present. Mr Hickford thought that the remainder of the road could be completed for about half the cost of the first strip. Cr. Fagan: I am not satisfied. I move that a consulting engineer be engaged. Cr. Barber seconded the motion. Cr. Boyce: Would you be willing to allow that motion to stand over until the work is completed? Cr. Fagan: No —unless you allow me to resign, and then I would have no say in the matter. Cr. Boyce: Well, I move an amendment, that we leave the matter stand over until the remainder of the road is completed. He did not think the Council was giving Mr Hickford a square deal. Mr Hick’forcl had/been a bit careless, and it was not going to break the Council to let the question stand over. Cr. J. McKelvie: What would be the duties of the consulting engineer? The Chairman: To consult with Mr Hickford. Cr. McKelvie: What if they don’t agree ? The Chairman; I don’t know. Cr. Barber: “Call in another engineer.” The speaker was of the opinion that. a. consulting engineer would prove of great benefit to Mr Hickford. Cr. Fagan: Mr Hickford allowed three-quarters of a mile of the road to go on. Now he either was satisfied with the work, or did not know what was being done. If I had not spoken the, work would be going on now. Cr. lleid seconded the amendment, which was lost, only the mover and seconder supporting, it. The meeting then went into committee to further discuss the matter, and on-resuming) in open Council, the motion was carried by four votes to two. The question was then referred to the finance committee for action.