FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 273, 8 May 1917, Page 1

FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Engineer's Report.

In his absence, caused through illness, Mr J. F. McArthur (the County Engineer) forwarded a report to the Franklin County Council at their meeting last Thursday as follows: "Although confined to the house I have been attending to county matters; communicating with the men and attending to things generally as well as possible under the circumstances.

Owing to the bad weather experienced and the Railway Department not carrying materials required several works have had to be postponed. As regards the purchase of a traction engine, since the last meeting the Chairman and I inspected an engine owned by the Raglan County. It is a 6 h.p. compound (Huston and Proctor) and in splendid order. The cost landed at Pukekohe would be approximately £7OO. I would strongly recommend the Council to purchase this engine. The scarifying attachment as mentioned in the communication from Messrs Anderson and Co , of Christchurch, could be attached for say £l5O, making the total cost £BSO. I might mention that it is important that this plant together with trailers, etc., be ready for use as soon as possible as a great saving can be made by doing our long carting by this means instead of horse teams.

I would take this opportunity of bringing up the matter of surfacemens' wages. I would suggest that wages paid to all surfacemen be lis per day and in addition to this, where necessrry, an allowance of Is per day as horse allowance. My reason for recommending this is because lam of the opinion that the men are entitled to the wages and allowance mentioned.

Contractors throughout the county are paying their men 12s and over and other local .bodies' such as Borough Councils are paying lls where the men have no expense in getting to and from their work. In addition, our surfacemen have to act as working foremen, keeping all time and taking charge of day works and metal spreading in their districts. It would be more satisfactory to all concerned if my suggestion was adopted." The report was received, the question with regard to the purchase of machinery and plant being referred back to the committee appointed to deal with the same.