BOROUGH WORKS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 August 1920, Page IX

BOROUGH WORKS.

ENGINEER'S .REPORT. The New Plymouth borough engineer (Mr. W. H. Cook) reports as follows on the work for the past month:— Waterworks.—The usual routine work has been atended to, and as the month was exceptionally fine, no trouble was caused by floods, two rises of 4ft and Oft being* recorded on the 9th and 15th respectively. ' Mains and Services.—The month was a busy one for this department, 23 new services being laid down and two connections being t'ken off adjacent services; 956 feet Jin pipe, 256 feet Jin, and 241 feet of lin tubing, making a total of 1543 feet laid for the month. Twelve fire-plugs and services were put under repair, and others have been raised to new levels as required by reason of road repairs. Cemetery and Reserves. funerals took place last month. The sexton has been kept busy, his assistant left and the sexton is attempting to get through the work with the aid of a lad, whether this can be done for long is questionable, ap he not only has the cemetery but is always in demand for other work in the reserves. Mitchenson's Gardens.—This hils beeri cleaned up, and a portion dug over in readiness for a nursery, which is now ready to receive any trees, etc. The old fence along' the Avenue Road has been taken up and removed/ farther back. Th extra space will be planted. Alterations have been made near the chapel to allow the motor hearse turning.

East End Reserve. —The pile driving for the groyne is being pushed ahead as fast as it is 'possible, tho work was delayed for a few days as the winch, a borrowed one, was required by yrarbor. Board engineer. The driving varies considerably, some piles taking two days others but as many hours, all piles have been driven not less than 6ft into solid. Sand has been washed into a considerable depth which if retained permanently will make a first-class beach. A slight accident occurred to one of the men, his hand being crushed in the winch.

Streets.—The usual routine work lias been attended to and several paths cleaned up. Paths have been gravelled and repaired in Lemon Street and Powderham Street, and a new culvert laid to take' the stormwater. Roads patched include Hobson, Lemon, and Wallath Road. Tar road repairs include Devon Street East, Wallace Place, and Carrington Road, and around several fire-plugs. The Fordson lorry will be available shortly, and the driver and another man, both selected for the special work of patching and repairing tarred roads, will be kept on at this class of work whenever the weather allows, or as the roads require attention. •Crossings and Culverts. —Several private crossings have been laid down. Asphalt Work—The chief work was regrading and laying down Currie Street in asphalt. The spoil from this 6treet was used in Queen Street, to raise the roadway, approxima»efy 200 cubio yards was available for this work. Queen Street is now being rem e tailed. Crusher.—The plant has been crushing for chips most of the month; frequent stops due to worn out chain belt caused some delay, the belt is being renewed. Haulage.—All the available haulage has been fully employed dealing with metal, gaol gravel, shingle, manure, spoil, etc.

Roller.—The roller has been -extremely busy, and wapt of a second roller is felt acutely at times, as work has to bo hung up pending the present roller being available. Kerb.—The kerb has been laifl down in Carrington Road and the filling in levelled over. Owing to the shortage of timber the erection of. the fence has to stand over. ,

Asphalt Yard.—The large boiler is being built in and the mixer overhauled: It is probable thnt asphalt work will have to be suspended for a time to allow of a thorough overhaul of ait plant, otherwise delays may occur next season. More Plant.—lt is becoming imperative to have more plant to cope with the work facing us, a stone dryer is essential, long delays occur during wet and after wet weather for want of dry stone, another lorry for quick haulage of heavy weights, roller, tar macadam mixer of ample capacity, etc.; all are necessary for work in hand and cPßjing forward, until money is available it is of little use instituting enquiries for prices, as quotations are now seldom given unless an 6 order is placed within seven days from quote.