PATEA LOAN SCHEME.

Patea Mail, 21 July 1882, Page 2

PATEA LOAN SCHEME.

A special meeting of the Borough Council was held last evening, to receive Borough Engineer’s report and estimates, prepared in accordance with instruction, upon a number of street improvements &c. which the Council had provisionally scheduled for execution out of loan, the amount not being yet fixed. There were present the Mayor (in the chair), Councillors Tapi in,- Milroy, Aitchison, Gibson, Adams, Dixon, Black, Mahony, and Howitt. The Council sat as a committee, and agreed to admit the press. The Engineer’s report was read and received ; also his detailed estimate of cost, amounting to a total of £20,249 19s. ENGINEER’S REPORT. There are some important works not mentioned in your instructions, nor provided for in this report, namely, water supply, street lighting, repairs to Patea bridge, &c. With respect to the alteration of the gradients of Bedford street, I beg to remind, ymu that my original instructions were to make the street with as easy a grade as I could with the amount at my disposal, keeping in view other necessary works, notably drainage, to be ' executed out of the proposed loan of £5,000. Had I not been so restricted, I should have made the gradient easier, the standard gradients in England and Fiance being for high roads from 1 in 35 upwards. As proposed by nie, the plans showed three gradients, 1 in 17A, 1 in 26, 1 in 46. By your new instructions, the grades of Bedford street are four, namely, 1 in 17A. 1 in 15£, 1 in 31, and 1 in 46 feet. The present surface of Bedford street between Devon and Cornwall streets is 1 in 13 feet. In Leicester street I should have made a lower grade, but that I was informed, the upper part of the street and.the intersecting street had been permanently fixed by the Town Board. Your new; instruction has permitted me to give an easier gradient in: that street. In not limiting me to any particular sum of money, enables me in the drainage scheme to increase the size of mains and provide, the necessary sumps and junctions ; the only advantage in my opinion which this scheme has over the first. . There is a great difficulty in preparing an accurate estimate of cost of these works in a young town, and I wish at, an early date to visit Wellington, and if possible through your influence obtain from the : City Engineer tracings and approximate cost of similar works in that city. With regard to Council offices and fittings, I would express my opinion that £IOOO is the least sum. that should be reserved for the purpose. Having the whole work completed, I can—should the Council desire it—supply an amended scheme involving a Jess, costj. by reducing the amount of work to be done in a short time ; that is providing there is no further 1 alteration of the gradients; as this has already caused me an enormous amount of extra work. DRAINAGE.In submitting a new scheme of drainage, I am of opinion that the principle of the first scheme placed before you (as part of a general scheme) cannnot be, much improved upon, although I did not then have the same amount of information I have since obtained ; and I beg most respectfully to remind you that the deviation of the drainage by the : Lake to thesea is by the express instruction of the Council ; but if the Council will incur the extra cost, the new scheme will be effective. Borough North. Providing the street improvements described in this report be carried out, I would recommend that an 18 inch pipe,; with all necessary sumps, junctions, and • connection with opposite side of Egmont street, be laid from fiadfield street along east side of Egmont street, running south to Victoria street, thence along north side of Victoria street by a 24 inch pipe to the old creek, then commencing one foot ? lower than the present 12 inch pipe, pro-; ceecling to the old town boundary by a concrete culvert or a 24 inch pipe, from which point it might be extended to the coast either by an open ditch slabbed through sandy parts, or a 3 feet brick or concrete culvert, or as hereafter referred to a 24 inch pipe would I believe answer for years. >

Borough Central and West? From Victoria street southward along Egraont street on both sides to Surrey street, I recommend 15 inch pipes, with

junctions at every half chain for house service, and sump at each street crossing ; thence from Egmont street down Surrey street to the Lake by a 24 inch pipe, and thence to the coast by either of the methods described for Victoria street ; branch drains 12 inch to be laid down Lincoln and Oxford streets, connecting with the old creek, in which a 12 inch pipe might be laid from Victoria street to the Lake, Borough East. I recommend a 15 inch pipe down Bedford -and Leicester streets to the Patea river, with all necessary sumps and junctions &c.; also an 18 inch pipe along York street from Egmont street to below the cattle wharf. General Remarks. With regard to the construction and size of outlets for sewage by Victoria street and also by the Lake, they should be 3 feet brick or concrete culverts. This being a very costly work, I recommend an 18 inch pipe drain in Egmont street South from Surrey street to Harbour street; and eventually, when found desirable, a similar drain down Oxford or Lincoln 4 street to the sea ; also down Stafford V street to the Patea river. Unless the system recommended of several outlets bo adopted, the drains must necessarily be of much larger dimensions, and consequently much more expensive. It will be seen, from the order in which I have described these outlets for drainage and sewage, I intend at present that in Victoria street to drain all north of that street; the lake course to drain the watershed comprising Egmont street middle and streets to west ; those .in Bedford and Leicester streets, that part inclining towards the Patea river. In course of time, when the borough can afford to enlarge on the drainage scheme, the drains described in this report can be materially assisted by similar pipes on the other side of the streets named. I am getting a line cut down Oxford street to the sea, and believe by taking away the sandhill beyond Middlesex street, I shall be able to get a far easier outlet for drainage than by the Lake. If this course should turn out as I expect,, it will do all the service required for years ; will drain the Lake, and save about £IOOO ; and the Lake and Egmont street (South) outlets may be dispensed with for the present. The Engineer’s estimates were also considered, but cannot be reported for obvious reasons. DISCUSSION. Councillor Gibson : In the drainage scheme the cost of tile pipes is a considerable item. These tiles might be made in the place ; and by calling for lenders, we might get an industry started in the place at once. The cost of freight would be saved, and a desirable industry be started. Councillor Adams : I believe it is intended by one party in the place to start drain-pipe making in a short time. Councillor Gibson : Perhaps a contract would encourage the.thing at once. Councillor Taplin : Does the estimate for drainage contemplate that the pipes shall be laid at the same time as forming the streets, or can they be laid afterwards within the cost stated ? Mayor : I should say not. They would have to be laid in connection with the formation of Bedford street and Leicester street, but not in other streets, which are tolerably level. The Engineer says the formation and fillings in those two streets would require to settle before the pipes were laid ; else the subsidence would break the pipes. Mayor : You have now before you all the information required to come to a ilecision, and I think you will agree that the.total estimate is in excess of anything we have contemplated, and a very considerable reduction will have to be made. We bad better endeavor to get something from this that will be within reasonable limits of a loan of something like £IO,OOO. 1 believe all these works will have to be undertaken before many years, and the information will be useful. At present we have to consider the present requirements of the town and the ability to carry ont these works, lam not prepared to move the adoption of this report, involving an expenditure of over twenty thousand pounds. Councillor Adams : We should first decide on the amount to ba borrowed. Councillor Milroy ; That should be regulated by the most important works that we. consider, necessary. We should take the streets in detail, and consider what amount of money we should appropriate within our means.

Conncillor Dixon : I would suggest that we begin with Bedford street. The Engineer was called in, and in reply to questions said a small pipe down Bedford street would serve for the present, and a pipe down York street (towards the wharf) is not necessary. Councillor Milroy : People must have underground pipes to take off drainage from their back premises. Councillor Adams : It is useless putting underground drains in streets where there are no inhabitants, and leaving other streets uudrained where people do live at present. Councillor Aitchison : A drain sufficient to carry off the present surface water would do. Engineer : Storm water could not run many chains down Bedford street, on that grade, without washing away the formation. The water should not run more than four or five chains before going down openings into the underground pipe. Bedford street pipe might be reduced to 12 inches. Agreed to receive proposals for modifying the extent of work in the Engineer’s estimate. PROPOSED WORKS. The following proposals were handed in as the discussion of estimates proceeded, and these proposals are to be formally moved at the next meeting, all the estimates being then revised. Bedford Street. Councillor Aitchison—That the work in Bedford streeet be agreed to, subject to adoption of smaller drain tiles than those referred to in Engineer’s report. Egmont street South. Cr Aitchison—That the proposed work in Egmont street South be reduced (to a certain sum.) It was agreed to reduce this work by making only one footpath beyond the Catholic Church to the Cricket-gate, kerbing the path to the Church, and claying the road to Cricket-ground. Central Drainage. Cr Gibson—That respecting Egmont street central drainage, Victoria street to Surrey street, and Lake to sea, 12 inch drain pipes be laid down both sides of Egmont street. Devon street. Cr Adams—That the proposed work in Devon-strect be constructed as per plan. North-end Drainage. Cr Mahony—That the drainage on Egmont street North, from Hadfield street (leading to Storey’s paddock) to Victoria street, tnence to the sea, be adopted. Council Buildings. Councillor Taplin—That the sum of £IOOO, as recommended by the Engineer for building and furnishing Council Chambers, be allotted out of loan for this purpose. Egmont street North. Councilor Gibson—That the formation of Egmont street from Livingstone street (near north boundary) to Victoria street, with footpaths gravelled, be passed. Leicester street. Councillor Gibson—That the formation of Egmont street, with metal, and one footpath from Dorset street to Devon street, and with drain tiles reduced to 12 inches, be passed. Road to Poverty Flat. Mayor That Cornwall street from Leceister street to river be formed as proposed in plan. Side Streets. Mayor That Gloucester street and Hadfield street formation be passed. Councillor Adams—That the formation of Cambridge street to Devon street be approved of. DRAINAGE OUTLET. The result of discussion as to drainage was that instead of draining into the Lake, with outlet to the sea, and another outfall drain from Victoria street across Rhodes’s swamp to the sea, the Council agreed to reduce the cost by having one outfall drain from Oxford street (Institute) across Rhodes’s swamp to the sea. Rule as to Cuttings. Engineer asked for instruction as to whether cuttings should be made with a batter (slope) or gullet (perpendicular). In forming street and footpaths, it would make a great difference in the cost if cut straight down along the boundary line, instead of carrying the slope back on private property to make a natural fall to the footpath. Mayor; I should pay no regard to slopes, but make the footpaths the full width. If we do not encroach on private property, the owner is liable for anything

that falls down on the footpath. He should protect his own portion from failing on the footpath. Conncillor Gibson : In Wanganui, many owners had to take the batter on their own property, and protect the slopes with the ice-plant. Councillor Milroy : My idea would be to take even more than the width of the street, with the owner’s permission. Mayor : I would only do that in the event of the Council wanting the material. Agreed that the full width should mean the line as shown on the plan. Lincoln Street, Councillor Black asked what was to be spent on Lincoln street. Mayor suggested that this street can bo formed out-of ordinary revenue, and done at once, now that the bank buildings are up. HOW MUCH TO BORROW. Councillor Taplin handed in a motion in favor of borrowing £IO,OOO. The estimates being all gone through, the total had been reduced below £13,000 ; and it was thought other reductions could be made without spoiling the plan as revised. Mayor urged that the motion for borrowing a definite sum stand over until the motions already handed in had been disr cussed and finally dealt with. Councillor Taplin: Wo are a full Council, and this is a proper time to face this question of the amount of loan. Unless we fix a sum, we don’t know how far to cut down the work before us. Councillor Gibson : If we pass such a resolution we shall have to set to work paring down every part of the scheme, and perhaps render each work incomplete. If we go once more carefully through the items, and the total comes to £12,000 for urgent works, go for that amount. Mayor : If we became unonirnous here, we must look outside to see what amount of unanimity we are likely to get at the ballot. We must get a scheme that will be as popular as possible, and do the greatest good to the whole borough. I should not be afraid of £12,000 ; but if we fix a definite sum now, we may make mistakes in the scheme that we shall be sorry for. If Councillor Taplin had said not less than £IO,OOO, I don’t think that this motion can do any harm. Councillor Taplin : I don’t mind altering it to that. Councillor Milroy: There is nothing definite about that. It will take a ninepenny special rate and all the reserve rents coming in, to pay interest on £IO,OOO. It is no use arguing here that we shall not need a special rate to meet this loan. We must levy a special rate, and face the people in a proper manner. People know as well as we do that it is simply taking it out of one pocket and putting it in the other.

Mayor : 1 shall be quite prepared to debate that point when it arises, but I think we should leave the discussion to a future meeting. Council adjourned to Friday.