THE WATERWORKS QUESTION.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 848, 3 January 1879, Page 2

THE WATERWORKS QUESTION.

At the meeting of the Municipal Council held last night His Worship the Mayor suggested the advisability, for the satisfaction of the ratepayers, of obtaining the opinion of some outside reliable engineering authority. Mr. Liddle thought that there was no necessity for doing so. He believed that those who were dissatisfied would remain so, notwithstanding the report of a second engineer. Cr. Humphrey coincided with the Mayor's opinion; Cr. Gibbs was of Cr. Liddle's opinion. engineer's report. Oamaru Waterworks, Engineer's Office, Oamaru, 2nd January, 1379. j To his Worship the Mayor and Councillors. | Gentlemen, —I had the honor to report on the 24th ult. that there was a suspension of the works on Mr. Henderson's Waterworks contract, and suggested that the Solicitors' opinion should be taken as to what further steps should be taken under the contract. The Solicitors having been fully instructed and advised, have had the whole case before them during the stoppage of | works, and the contractor not having resumed work, although repeatedly advised and asked to do so, notice by the Corporation of intention to determine the contract was served upon the contractor's agent yesterday, and formal possession was to-day taken of the works on behalf of the Corporation. The accompanying memorandum showthe manner in which the works n ow proposed to be carried oa» I am advisted by Mr. "Anderson, Christchurch, that the first shipment of pipes (600 tons) from D. Y. Stewart's manufactory, Glasgow, would be despatched at thoj end of last month; and Messrs. Burt, of Dunedin, also advise having put the lead service pipes and fittings iii hand. There is no reason whatever wljy the whole works complete should not be finished within, twelve months from now. The river has again been very high, but has not done the slightest damage to any noxiian of the worka,I have, &c., D. A. M'Leod, Engineer. Oamaru Waterworks Engineer's Office, Oamaru, January 2,1879. To his Worship the Mayor and Councillors. Gentlemen, —I have had the whole con* tract carefully gone over by Mr, Jebson,

lately Clerk of Works to the Provincial Government of Canterbury, and Mr. Kirkby, of our own staff, with view of ascertaining the cost of finishing the works.. I j£> I instructed Mr. Jebson and Mr. Kirkby to,allow for every contingency, wijjiMl quantities and adequate prices, inflifcjiendentlyof schedule quantities and their estimate shows thai theyhave made most liberal allowance!. The estimate shews the cost to be £21,500 0 0 The total amount of money paid on Henderson's contract up to date is 27,678 0 0 Advances on plant and materials ... 4,320 0 0 £31,998 0 0 Estimated cost to finish as above .T 21,500 0 0 Total £53,498 0 0 Deposit money in hand ... £IOOO 0 0 Retention, do do 2569 0 0 3569 0 0 Total cost of Works ...£49,929 0 0 Or say L 50.000 or L7OOO over original amount of tender.—l have, &c, D. A. M'Leod, Engineer. It was resolved that the further consideration of the waterworks question be taken this evening, at 7.15.