OPAKI-LANSDOWNE WATER SUPPLY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9595, 15 September 1909, Page 6

OPAKI-LANSDOWNE WATER SUPPLY.

CONTRACT NEARLY COMPLETED.

THE ENGINEERS' REPOKT,

APPOINTMENT OF LOANS,

Mr Lairg-Meason reported on the Opaki-Lansdowne water supply and irrigation scheme at the meeting of the County Council yesterday, as follows:—Contract No. I.—This contract is now completed with the exception of the small race extend ing beyond the old Lansdowne race. This piece of race was not carried out before because some of the Lansdowne people desired an alteration to be made in the position of the race. This has been arranged, and the contractor should finish the work in a week if the weather holds fine. On the whole Mr Kerins has made a good job. Contarct No. 2. —Messrs Burke a d Buckley have made good po* gress this month. A little more plastering will complete the reser» voir, whilst the drite water tank and power house are in a forward state. The outfall drain' from the power house is finished. They have laid 20 chains of 4 inch. 50 chains of 3 inch, 65 chains of I| inch, and 80 chains of 1 inch pipjs, and they have put in about 40 services. The contractors have apparently had some difficulty in procuring a testing pump, but this has now arrived, and will be applied at once. All the metal pipes will be laid by the next meeting of the Council. Contract No. 3.—Messrs Andrews and Hayes have completed their fencing contract in a very satisfactory manner. 1 have seldom seen a better fence. Appointment of Loans.—l have drawn up and submit an adjustment account of the two loans to August 31st. The Opaki loan will have a surplus of probably £7OO. The Lans • downe loan will, as nearly as possible, balance the total expenditure on the works.

The adjustment of accounts to August 31st are as follow :—Opaki Loan.—Contract No. 1, payments to date £1,044 7b, less amount charged to Lansdowne (£45 already charged), £":40 18s 4d; share of culveiting,£3s3 6s 9d; share of surveys, compensation, plans etc., £l7B lis lid; charges up to March 9th not apportioned above, £127 3s 9d; balance of Kerins' contract due on completion, £397 193; estimated £33 ss; total, £1,631 4s 9d. Depending.—Engineering charges, deduction surveys and plans, £l3O Lansdowne Loan.—Contract No. 2, payments to date, £1,465 2s 6d; share of head works and head race, £548 8s 8d; share of expenses not otherwise apportioned, £l2B 10s; rams, £634 7s 8d; share of culverting, £IBB 10s 6d; balance on contract No. 2, £1.241 5s 6d; balance on contract No 3, £lO4 7s6d; total, £4,31012s 4d. Depending.—Engineering and dedication of plans. £3O; fixing pumps, £6O; Jand purchase from Mr H. Williams, £2O; land purchase from Mr Murray, £25; legal, £2O; total £155. The chairman (Cr W, J. Welch) Cr D. Foreman and the Engineer were deputed to confer with the promoters of the scheme on September 22nd. at 3 p.m. to report on the work done, and discuss the question of devising means for any further money that may be required for the completion of the scheme. Mr Liing-Meason said he would submit the apportionment of the cost of the culvert constructed at the railway line between Opaki and Lans-

downe at a later date. He considered the charge of £175 made by the Railway Department for building the culvert very excessive The account had only been received that mornirg, and he would confer with the Department in the matter at the earliest opportunity