BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1915, Page 8

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

. FORMATION OF TRAM ROUTE. COSTLIER THAN EXPECTED. t ORIGINAL ESTIMATE £4095 SHORT. The adjourned meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council was lield laßt night. Present: The Mayor (Mr. C. H. Burgess), and Councillors L. M. Monicath, J. S. S. Medley, J. Hayden, F. E. Wilson, A. H. Johnstone, W. A. Collis, W. F. Short, F. J. Hill, S. J. Smith, A. E. Sykes, J. T. Mannix, and A. E. Wat-J-.ins. The borough engineer (Mr. E. 0. Clayton) reported that as a result of careful and very full measurements taken over the whole tram route from the Wftiwakaiho Bridge to the terminus at Moturoa, and thence from the Post Office to Morley Street, a distance of approximately five miles and ten chains, it had been found that the estimated cost submitted to the late Council would not be sufficient to complete the whole work of •formation, metalling, tarring, and sanding. The Town Clerk had stated that the amount still available was approximately £2773. To complete the formation and metalling of the whole length of the roadway lie estimated that as from date it would take about £IOOO for metal and labor, and also hire of engine, for, say, 80 days, £240. To complete the whole length of the roadway with two coats of soltar, would cost £5378. These figures were approximate, for the work mentioned only. Any extra work, such as that to be done at the Henui Bridge, shifting water troughs, altering of kerb and channelling, will be extra. It would thus be seen that the estimated cost would be £4005 over the amount originally allocated under the estimate. The matter was taken in committee, and after a long discussion it was decided on the motion of Cr. Johnstone, seconded by Cr. Monteath, "that the borough engineer submit a report setting out the 'details upon which the estimates of February and June were based, and showing in what details these estimates have since proved faulty." Cr. Johnstone referred to the present uneven surface of Devon Street, and asked if the engineer could give an assurance that this defect would disappear. The engineer said he was fully aware of the position, and he hoped to remedy it. It was intended to rectify the depressions by adding more soltar. The Mayor said he had had this matter in hand and wished it made clear that he, as chairman of the Works Committee, had already gone into the question with the engineer. The engineer had assured him that the uneven portions of the road surface would be overcome. WATER AND LIGHTS. Messrs. W. H. Martin and B. Tooke waited on the Council on behalf of residents on Brooklands Road, asking for the extension of the water main so that residents could get connections. Similar facilities in regard to lighting were asked for. The Mayor said it was impossible for the borough to give every facility, but he promised that these matters would be looked into again. The question was referred to the engineer to report upon. WORKS COMMITTEE. A meeting of the Works Committee was then held, the whole of the Council constituting the committee, under the chairmanship of the Mayor. The engineer submitted a report in favor of doing work, other than ordinary maintenance, by contract.—The report will be considered when the question of loan works is discussed. The matter of applying by-laws to the beaches and bathing reserves under the i jurisdiction of the Council was brought j >i". After some discussion it was derided to leave it to the Reserves Com- ' rnittee. | An application from the Turanaki (No. 2) Oil Wells, Ltd., for some variation ! in the water supply agreement was referred to the Finance Committee. Two applications were received for the | position of examiner of drivers of 1 motor-carß, but the appointment was deferred for a fortnight.