BOROUGH WORKS.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 982, 10 January 1883, Page 2

BOROUGH WORKS.

The following report from the Engineer was road at the Borough Council on Monday evening: 1. There are but two contracts in band at present, Bedford and Leicester streets. They are progressing satisfactorily, bnl have been considerably delayed by the Christinas holidays, the blowing of sand, and the difficulty in obtaining suitable timber for the kerbing. 2. My staff has been fully employed during th»3 mouth, and a deal of both in and out-door work has been done. 3. Attached please find report and plans of a temporary water supply for fire purposes, &c. &c. 4. I would ask } r ou to instruct me as to what the next contracts are to bo, so (hat I may prepare the necessary specifications and plans. 5. I would ask authority to have two chains of kerbing erected in Dorset-street, near Dr Croft’s, between Leicester and Stafford Streets. 6. 1 recommend laying the pipes between Victoria-street and the lake, during the fine weather, and would remind you it will take some time to procure the pipes. 7. The outlet from the lake to the sea I advise be at once taken in band. 8. Devon-street, between Norfolk and Bedford Streets, should be completed full width. The extras authorised in this street in November and December amount to £llO, and it will take a similar sum to complete the formation of Hie other side. 9. Leicester-strcet. I recommend Hie formation be extended from end of present contract to Cornwall-street. Tin’s is necessary to allow the drainage pipes to be carried down the street to the River. Also Cornwall-street to be formed two chains on each side of Leicester-streot, and clayed. . 10. The Patea Bridge should receive immediate attention. It requires new planking put on diagonally, strengthening, bracing-, repairing generally, and painting. 11. Meredith street requires kerbing on the north side to guide the storm water to (lie main outlet. 12. Previous to the pipes being laid between Victoria street and the lake, Middlesex street should be loimcd. Ibis will not be an expensive undertaking. 13. I would ask you to autliori.se the placing of eight sumps in Leicester street, two of which would be at junction with Egmont street, the others in Doiset and Devon streets ; also, about ten sumps in Bedford street, at its junction with Egmont street, Devon, Cornwall, Lent and York streets! They are of importance, and necessary to relievo the watei channels, regulate the flow and course of storm water ; also, prevent damage to the formation, besides being part of the drainage scheme. In addition to the sumps, 900 ft of 9in. earthenware pipes will be required at the crossing of streets to connect each pair of sumps. • - 14. The sand cuttings in Bedford, Devon, and Leicester afreets arc too high to clay, it would therefore be advisable to fascine the face of all sand cuttings for a height of at least 6 feet, back, and fill in between the fascines with clay. 15. I would point out the necessity of a-place to lock up tools and property belonging to the Borough. A slasher and spade have been taken out of the yard without permission from me, and cannot be found. I would recommend that the Borough section be at once filled in, clayed, and a shed built for the purpose. 16. It would bo a great convenience to the public to have the names of the principal streets, intersecting Egmont and Bedford streets, placed at the corners ; the cost would b© about £7. 17. The contractor for Bedford street has formed a small portion of the street through the sand cutting opposite Captain Gibbons’ house, a little above the grade, and as be has clayed it, I have considered it advisable to alter the gradients to suit the new formation. The alteration will not be noticed in the appearance of the street, and will be no detriment. On the contrary, the contractor will have to raise the proceeding gradient to make the two work in, which, on the whole, will he an improvement to the street. Of course the difference between the quantity of sand shifted and that not taken down to the proper level will be deducted from the amount of the contract. Therefore, before this part, of the work is proceeded with farther, I would ask you to approve of this slight alteration.”—Yours, obediently, E. H. Beerk, Borough Engineer. Clauses 1, 2, 3 were held over.

Clause 4, Several streets which required attention were recommended fo the Engineer as the next contracts. Clause, 5. The Engineer stated that two chains of kerbing would, cost £5, Or Adams asked if it would be charged to the loan or to the ordinary revenue. The Mayor stated that the whole of the ordinary revenue would be required on account of the further expenditure on Lincoln street. Adopted. Clause 6 With regard to this clause, Or Taplin said he wanted to know what the Council intended doing with the lake; whether they intended draining it, or otherwise. If the former, he would strenuously oppose it, as he considered the lake a fine sheet of water, that could be greatly beautified by tree-planting round its edges. The Mayor said the next clause had to deal with draining the lake. Cr Aitchison suggested that the report re temporary water supply might throw some light on the matter. The Engineer said the information Cr Taplin wanted was embodied in the water supply report, the present clause had to deal with letting the storm water into the lake. After some discussion the clause was ultimately adopted-. Clause 7. It was resolved unanimously, on the motion of the Mayor, “ That clause 7 be not adopted.” Clause 8. Held over. Clause 9. Proposed by Cr Aitchison seconded by Cr Dixon, and carried, “ In re clause 9, the Engineer be authorised to call for tenders for filling in half the width of street, and forming footpath on the north side, also work recommended in Cornwall-street,” Clause 10 was held over, and clauses 11 and 12 were adopted. Clause 18. Cr Gibson wanted to know if it was contemplated sinking the sumps by day labour or hy contract. The Engineer said it would be cheaper to do the work by contract. The Mayor thought there was no likelihood of getting the pipes in the time required. The Engineer said it was advisable to ad.opt the danse, but it was not absolutely necessary to carry the work out at present. Adopted. Clause 14. Cr Taplin said this was

an absolutely necessary work. Cr Gibson suggested procuring some ice plants'to bind the sand down in addition to the fascines. Adopted. ■ Clauses 15 and 1G were held over. Clauses 17. AH the Councillors expressed themselves strongly in favour of the plans being followed out and it was resolved on the motion of Cr Gibson seconded by Cr McCarthy “That the original grades as tendered for on Bedford street be adhered to.