TRAMS TO WESTOWN.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 July 1922, Page 4

TRAMS TO WESTOWN.

THE ENGINEER’S REPORT, ESTIMATED COST £15,685. COUNCIL DEFER CONSIDERATION. The revised estimates for the extension of the New Plymouth tramways system to David Street, Tukapa Road, •\V estown,. via Morley Street, were placed before the Borough Council by the electrical engineer (Mr. R. H. Bartley) last night. The cost of the extension. exclusive of alterations to roads en route, was estimated at £15,685. The report, stated: The brack estimated on iis for a single line and loops and bracket arm construction and to grades as already set out in plans adopted by the council. It is intended to take out the existing points and crossings at present laid at the end of track Devon Street-Morley Street; carry this curve round into Morley Street, double track and relay these points and crossing where the single line commences. The single line is continued to within a chain and a half past Barrett Street, in Morley Street, when the again will be made double and extend in a curve from Morley Street to Wallace Place. This curve is so constructed that the curve at the foot of Devon Street-Mor-ley Street can be sighted and thus avoid the necessity for signals. The remainder of the track is quite straight forward and is single track to David Street.

Two section insulators have been allowed for, one. at Vivian Street in Morley Street and the other at the intersection of Cutfield Road and Tukapa Road. These positions have been calculated with a view to further extension of this line to Wallath Road or Omata Road. Positive negative feeders together with the necessary panel switches, etc., have been included. These are to run direct from the Liardet Street sub-station and feed in at the junction of Vivian and Morley Streets. Every endeavor has been made to do away with these feeders, but as on the existing system no feeders are provided to Morley Street, the lino pressure drop would be too great without them. The capacity of these feeders has been made sufficient for an ultimate extension to Wallath Road. Test and telephone wires have also been allowed for from Liardet Street sub-sta-tion, but it may be possible to eliminate dhe necessity for installing the former by obtaining special permission from the Public Workfe Department, seeing that the public telephone is handy throughout the route.

The construction of the permanent way is with British 961 b rails on the sharp portion of the curves. The method allowed in the construction of track is hardwood sleepers laid on a consolidated metal foundation 4 inches thick, and with asphalt 4% inches on each side of the rails and packed to the full depth of same. The track will then be filled in with 2 inches and l| inch metal consolidated, the surface being finished with chips; the whole then to receive three coats of tar and sand.

SUMMARY OF . ESTIMATE. £ s. d.

It is a difficult matter to estimate the allowances for alteration to electric lighting and telephone lines, but the amounts above should be ample to cover* this. No amount has been allowed in the above for the purchase of land necessary for the curve leading into Wallace Place and this must be taken into consideration in the final costs.

It was pointed out by the general manager that the electrical engineer’s estimate did not include the cost of grading, alteration and widening of roads, upon which the borough engineer (Mr. W. H. Cook) has yet to report.

In reply to a question by Cr. R. A. Large. Mr. Bartley said it was proposed to lay down the rails on the side of the road, approximately 4ft. flin. from the kerb.

Cr. Griffiths asked when the report on the tram routes to Vogeltown would be ready, ill*. Bartley replying that he was at. work on these at present. He .would report on the various routes; the council would then decide upon the route to be adopted, and he would then frame his estimate accordingly. Further consideration of the engineer’s estimate w*as deferred till the estimates as to road alterations, etc., are ready.

Constructing track a s above, completed .... 2299 9 Materials for above' 9002 4 10 Constructing overhead gear, double trolley wire witli feeders 730 0 0 Materials for overhead gear Allowance for alteration to 2253 10 0 telephone lines 200 0 0 Allowance for alteration to electric light and power lines 200 •0 0 Total 14,685 0 0 Allow for contingencies .. 1000 0 0 Total cost 15,685 0 0