BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1207, 22 November 1882, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The meeting of the Borough Council was held last evening at the Council Chambers, Present—His Worship the Mayor (C. D. ’Bennett), Crs, Clarke, Brown, Townley, Clayton, Lewis, Whinray, Tutchen, and Tucker. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. The minutes of the special meeting were then read and confirmed, at which meeting it had been resolved that the new Rating Act, passed last session, be not adopted. A letter was read which had been sent to Mr Johnstone in reply to his letter re Nesbitt Road. One to Mr Hearfield re the deposit of nightsoil ; also a letter to Mr Oxenham re the gravel contract; and one to the Sergeant of Police with reference to the destruction of trees in the main streets by horses. Cr Berry wrote to the Council resigning his Councillorship. After some discussion it was proposed by Cr. Tutchen, seconded by Cr. Whinray, and carried, that the question of accepting Cr. Berry’s resignation be held over until the next meeting of the Council. A petition was read relative to the bridge over the Waikanae drain, in Grey street, requesting that the bridge be shifted so as to be in a line with the street. T’lia Rncrinppi* rpnnptp.d that. t.li« rpnnput

AIIU XUUgXUCUL ICpUIkCU WldU LUC was being complied with. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE’S REPORT. The following report from the Public Works Committee M r as then read :— The Chairman Borough Council. Sir, —Upon measuring the work which according to the specification should have been 20 feet wide, covered M’ith beach shingle, we found it had been reduced to ] 8 feet and in some places less, and the depth at the most is only three inches instead’ of four. The footpaths have been gravelled with one-inch depth instead of two, and in many places the M’idth of the path is reduced from 12 feet to 9, and even less. Presuming the length of road to be 4000 links or thereabouts, there has been a deficiency of upwards of 500 cubic yards of gravel. There is also a want of proper formation of the road and footpaths, which will cause additional expenditure at a very early date. The drain in Derby-street that had been cut through private property has been examined, and the Committee has come to the conclusion that almost doubled the value of the work is asked for, and that as it is a work on private property, performed M'ithout the authorization of the Council, no payment whatever should be made.—Yours, etc., Wm, Clarke, Chairman, The following is Mr Drummond’s reply; — The Chairman of the P. W. Committee. Sir, —In reply to tjhe Public Works Committee’s report re formation and shingling Carnarvon-street, I beg to state—-Ist. As to reduced M’idth of shingle. The reduction in width of shingle from 20ft. to 18ft. was done in accordance M’ith my instructions, for the following reason—As the whole formation was composed of loose soil,and not thoroughly consolidated I deemed it advisable to reduce the width, so as to give a greater thickness of shingle in the centre of the roadway. 2nd. As to depth of metal: Your report states that the greatest depth of shingle is only 3 inches instead of 4 inches. Had the tests been made in the centre of the roadway, and immediately under the dray traffic a much greater depth would have been met with. And in reference to the tests made I do not consider them a fair criterion to enable the

I Committee to arrive at a fair estimate of the • quantity of shingle spread, owing to the soft j and loose nature of the soil, and the compara- ! tive lightness of the shingle. The mode I adopted to arrive at the I quantity of shingle delivered was this ; In previous contracts where the formation had been completed for some months and traffic had been going over the same, I pegged out the full width shoM-ing the depth recpiired, but this I found of no effect, as the pegs M'ere invariably displaced and the M’ork had to be gone over again. In this case I arranged to have the shingle tipped on the roadway, but not spread until after inspection. " This method I found to answer much better than the former as it enabled me to arrive at a j very fair estimate of the quantity delivered. Of course to arrive at a correct estimate would entail the employment of a Tallyman to be in constant attendance during delivery. The depth J of shingle on the footpaths varies in places, as by experience I have found that the heaviest passenger traffic is from about 4 feet from the building line, and the contractor was instructed in spreading to leave a greater thickness on that portion, and taper outwards. On both the roadway and footpaths the depth varies as the nature of the soil requires, being a greater depth on the loose soil, and a less depth on the solid. Width of Footpaths.—Your report states that in many places the width of the footpath is reduced from 12 to 9 feet. The places complained of consist of two unfenced allotments over M’hich dray traffic is constantly being kept up, and is of such a trifling nature that an amount of about 5s Mould complete the same.

Alleged Deficiency of 1000 Cubic Yards , of Shingle.—Your report states that, “Presuming the length of road to be 4000 links, or thereabouts, there has been a deficiency of 1000 cubic yards.” This assertion must be a mistake, for assuming 40 chains at 26J cubic yards to the chain would give a total of 1053; making the quantity delivered 53 cubic yards, but according to the contract the length of roadM'ay is 364 chains, giving according to the specification 961 cubic yards as the total quantity contracted for. This I think needs no comment. Defective Formation.—l disagree M'ith your Committe that there is a want of proper formation, taking into consideration the bad weather encountered during the progress of the works, and the constant dray traffic over the same I consider the work fairly passable and M’ill bear favorable comparison M’ith any of the other street formations. Only one complaint as to defective formation was made during the progress of the M'orks, M’hich M’as made good. I do not anticipate any additional or extra expenditure, other than that arising in the usual way. Drain in Derby Street.—l disagree with your Committee in the conclusion they have arrived at, that ‘ ‘ almost double the value of the work is asked for.” At the solicitation of the owner of the allotment I endeavored to get the work completed at the smallest cost. I accompanied the contractor to the ground, and roughly estimated the quantity

of soil required at a little over 50 cubic yards, and agreed for the price stated, viz., £4, which I consider fair and reasonable, considering this was at the rate of Is 6d per cubic yard, and included filling, carting, and spreading,—l am, etc., J, Drummond, Borough Engineer. Cr. 4X hinray said that although he was of opinion that the Engineer had answered the allegations very well, yet he considered that some one should now be appointed to go between the Committee and the Engineer and decide tlie question. He for one might state that he did not th nk he could be persuaded to alter his op lion in this ma ...er of McDevitt’s contract.

Cr. Tutchen said that if the gravel had only been spread 18 feet instead of 20 feet as provided in the specification, it was the duty of the Engineer to have informed the Council of it. In order to give McDevitt fair play it might be as well to have it tested by an Engineer, but he might state that the Public Works Committee had carefully inspected it, and that thev found that tn no places was the gravel thick enough to cover the sand, in fact you could read a newspaper through it. Cr. Lewis considered that the report should have shown the deficiency, and he considered that they had received very little for the money. Cr. Clayton said that after he had been spoken to by some of the ratepayers on this subject he had drawn the attention of the Engineer to it. He (Cr. Clayton) had measured it himself and he had found that the gravel in many places M’as not more than two or three inches thick. He might state that he had measured the gravel himself. Cr, Clarke moved, Cr. Tucker seconded, and it M’as carried, that the sum of £7O supposed to be due to Mr McDevitt, the contractor, for this M’ork remain unpaid for the present. Cr. Clarke moved Cr. Lewis, seconded, and it was carried, that Mr Tatley be requested to inspect the M’ork in question, and that he also be requested to report when he is prepared to do so, and that the Engineer receive notice of the time of inspection together with the members of the Works Committee. Cr Whinray wished to know whether Mr Drummond objected to Mr Tatley. Mr Drummond said, “Certainly not.” Cr. Tucker moved, Cr. Clayton seconded, and it was carried, that the sum of £2 2s be paid to the Surveyor for this work. Mr Drummond here pointed out that the figures in his report had been altered since lie signed it.

His Worship said that this did not make the slighteet diffidence, the fault was equally the same if it was a question of 1000 or 500 yards. Cr. Tucker was of opinion that it M’as not right to alter a report in this manner. The following is the Engineer’s report Council Chambers, Nov. 22nd, 1882. Sir,—l have the honor to report that I have inspected the culvert at Nesbitt Road, and find that no further fall can be obtained without lowering the box, the cost of which, including deepening the ditch, I estimate at from £l2 to £l5. Attached are three designs for brick culverts, with their approximate costs.. Should you select either of the plans specifications can be made out. orks Required.—Complaints are being made as to the bad state of Bright-street north, from Gladstone Road to the river. A sum of £24 is on the Estimates for this work, and if convenient, I would recommend its being carried out.—l would also request the services of two day laborers to clear out the water tables on Gladstone and other roads. Gravel Contract.—Owing to some necessary repairs to the engine, no gravel has j been delivered during the last fortnight. The contractor expects to commence M’ork in a day or two, —Yours, etc., J. Drummond, Borough Engineer. It was moved by Cr Tucker, seconded by Cr Townley, and carried, that the report be adopted, with the addition of some fascining being carried out. bright street. Cr Lewis moved, Cr Tutchen seconded, and it was carried, that plant and specifications be prepared, and that tenders be called for works in Bright street before next meeting. The Mork to be done being from Gladstone road to the Tarahure river, for the purpose of lowering the street, and make the road in front of Hurry’s Mill more passable in wet weather. tenders for carting. There M’ere two tenders received for carting the Borough to the 31st of March next. It was moved by Cr Tutchen, seconded by Cr Lewis, and carried, that the tender of Mr Doleman be accepted, subject to his providing two drivers. PAYMENTS. Payments to the amount of £96 6s 3d were j passed for payment. the telegraph wires.

j Cr. Tucker moved, Cr. Brown seconded, j ■ and it was carried, that the Commissioner of 1 ' Telegraphs be communicated with through ! . Mr Shrimpton, the postmaster, asking that i i the present telegraph line be removed from | I Gladstone Road and taken along Palmerston i . Road as far as Pakirikiri. CROSSING BRIDGES. j Cr. Tucker moved, Cr. BroM’ii seconded, i and it Mas carried, that persons be Marned i as to riding or driving across bridges within i the Borough at other than a u-alking place. I i Some discussion arose as to having 1 placards printed and posted up at the 1 bridges, but it was left to the Committee. water supply. Cr. Clarke said that after hearing the opinions of the members of the Council last evening of meeting, and since then having his attention drawn to the fact that the land

required for the scheme he had put before them was still Native land, which had not passed the Court,’he would be inclined to withhold or M'ithdraM’ his motion at present, and would support Cr. Townley’s plan of asking for proposals for schemes if that : course would be preferred by the Council. Cr. Townley then proposed that the sum of £lOO be devoted to the purpose of rewarding any person for a feasible scheme, payment to be made in the following manner, say £25 on approval of the Council; £25 on the approval of the meeting of ratepayers; and £5O on the adoption of the scheme by the votes of the ratepayers. Cr. Tucker seconded the motion with a moderate amount of his usual flow of oratory. Each of the Councillors felt bound to say something, though none of them depreciated the scheme propounded by Cr. Clarke. Cr. Tutchen said that he had understood the site of a new scheme had been visited by Cr. Clarke, and he would like to hear something of it, but he had a scheme of his own M’hich he would put foru r ard. (The Mayor said he thought Cr. Tutchen was quite right, he might as well have the £lOO as any one else, the Councillor need not be precluded from the proposed bonus.) His plan was to obtain water from the Quarry reserve at Patutahi. He said there were special facilities for making a drain, an abundant supply of water, but he could not state the elevation. He Mould like a committee appointed to examine the locality. The Mayor said he would have to receive this proposal as an amendment, and it M’as ultimately withdrawn for the purpose of dealing M’ith CT. ToMmley’s motion, M’hich M’as carried.

Cr. Tutchen then proposed that a committee be appointed to examine the locality he had pointed out, which was agreed to and the members named. Cr. Clarke said some opinion seemed to be desired about the Whataupoko scheme, and

described it as a most costly one; there would be required an excavated reservoir at the M’ater shed and another in the top of the hill, also engines for raising the M’ater, and probably filter beds, the total cost of the proposed scheme would probably amount to from £19,000 to £21,000, including land, LEASING THE FERRY AND WEIGH-BRIDGE, It was then resolved that the Council go into Committee to consider the conditions for leasing the ferry and weigh-bridge. The conditions were then read and passed. RETURNING OFFICER. It Mas resolved that applications be made for a Returning Officer vice Mr P. H. Bourke resigned, and called for as soon as possible, The Council then adjourned,