METAL SUPPLIES

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2170, 28 August 1907, Page 1

METAL SUPPLIES

ADVANTAGES OF W A 111 lit ERE URGED. A STRONG CASE MADE OUT. Mr. George Grant, C.E.. addressed the following letter to the Council last, evening:—Gentlemen.—As I see that you have advertised for the carriage of 5,000 yards of Patutahi stone to Gisborne, I would ask your permission to lay the following statement before you. 1 venture to think that'to order any more stone from Patutahi than is absolutely necessary is a mistake. We know, from bitter experience, that to cart the stone from that quarry to the town means a cost, of from 14s to 15s a cubic yard. “In view of the ascertained fact that the Borough must have an annual supply of at least 20,000 yards, the above method is out of the question if our town is ever to lie metalled. If there were no other valid reasons tlie damage to the country roads would be almost a sufficient one.

“It is improbable, as I think I can show you, that' a tramway can bo constructed for less than £IOOO per mile. In the event of such a tramway being made the cost of the stone delivered would have to be increased by interest on tlie line, rolling stock, and plant. “In the event of motor waggons of any kind being used. I presume that' about 20 yards would be brought in at a trip. The quarry is only workable (for ordinary wheel traffic) about .seven months in the year, say 180 working days; to obtain 20,000 yards in that time 111 yards per diem 1 must be brought in. It seems improbable that more than one trip could be made in tlie day, unless the rolling stock is duplicated: One hour at the quarry, probably another at the Waipaoa bridge, and half an hour at the depot in Gisborne, would probably be required, total 2) hours. 28 miles at- 4 miles an hour would take 7 hours; plus 2.) — 9\ hours. “As regards the quality of the Waihirere stone, also the quantity, as opposed to Patutahi, I am not 'in a position to give evidence. The best of the former that I have seen is nearly as good as the best Patutahi, tlie worst sample naturally being much inferior. It generally happens, however, that in quarries of sedimentary rode inferior layers occur and if, apart from these, an ample supply of a better quality can be'obtained—and this your Engineer asserts emphatically—the inferior stone could bo thrown away or used to metal roads not subject to heavy traffic.

“The Waihirere quarry is distant about 11 miles from the railway station. A gentle down grade exists ; horses would bo required to take back the empty trucks to the quarry, no engine is necessary. Of that 1) miles, the first mile from the station is along a public road; the remaining half mile (say four acres and the land required for quarry, say six acres; total 10 acres) would have to be purchased. Scarcely any work but ballasting and platelayiug would be. required. “Estimate per mile of tramway, 3ft Gin gauge: Formation at 10s per chain 110 Ballast 7ft, bv 1ft.—1,360 c. yds at 4s. 274 Sleepers, 25 to the chain, 2,000 at 2s 200 Rails, spikes, bolts, fishplates, etc., 701bs to yd.—ss tons at £0 10s (301 b rails) 522 Cattlo stop, and culvert, say 35 Labor 60 £Llit £ One and a half miles at above cost 1700 Loops and sidings . 200 Stone crusher 50 to 80 cubic yards per dielil 500 Engino and plant, say 350 Sheds, trucks, etc 300 Horses 120 Sundry tools etc. 60 £3.230 Land to be taken say lOacres 200 Expenses 25

Total £3,455 “I have examined Mr. Gibbon’s estimate of the cost of stone delivered at Gisborne railway station, being about 4s, and agree with it. I think that the carriage from Wailiirere, were a large and regular supply coming in, should be largely reduced from is 10. “You have now a good road roller and scarifier, and it is probable that for tho future any streets metalled in the Borough will be treated scientifically instead of by the old and most wasteful method. The bed will be carefully prepared, the stone laid down in graduated sizes (a total of not less than 12 inches), blended with fine stone, the surface accurately crowned and rolled. Where the road is of sufficient importance the top 3 inches or 4 inches may he tarred, or, if it can be afforded, a better quality of stone may be placed in the last 3 or 4 inches. Under these conditions it is well known that a comparatively poor quality of stone will

servo the purpose. “Were the Wailiirere stone much worse than I believe it to be, the discrepancy in cost is so great as to warrant most serious consideration. Apart from this, at' Wailiirere you can work 290 days in the year; at

Patutahi the probable maximum is 180 days. From tlie one you can obtain 50 to 70 yards a day; from the other only 20 (unless with a tramway). In the one case you will own your own quarry; in the other you pay a rovalty recently increased to

6d. Example:— Patutahi: 8637 c. yards at 12s, £5182. Wailiirere: 8637 c. yards at 4s, £1727; total cost of land, tramway and complete plant as aforesaid £3455; total £5182. “1 am authorised to state that Air. K. J. Reynolds, C.E. and Colonel Winter,C.E. have examined this letter, my figures, and my deductions therefrom and agree with me in every particular. 1 trust, thcrforc that von will not accuse me of presumption in placing my views betore your Council, and I have no doubt t'liat your Council will give the matter the consideration that the importance of the question deserves.” Air. Grant waited on the Council and explained his proposition in detail. His estimate of 12s per cubic ■ yard for Patutahi metal was below the mark, so the figures would be still more favorable. Cr. AVhinrny said it was a matter - for consideration in committee. They were obliged to Air. Grant for bis information. The Alavor said the letter was very > full. He pointed out that, the pro- ' posal coincided with tho. Borough i Engineer’s views.. It embodied al- - most tho same conclusions as those - arrived at by Alt. Gibbon. Air. Grant : My estimates are a few

hundreds hi; 1 did not see Mr. Gibbon’s wri..en report. Or. Wliinray was dubious as to the quality of tlie stone. He would like to seo a couple of hundred yards placed oil the roads for a test. Or. Bright, in moving a vote of thanks to Mr. Grant, said the opinion was very weighty, three fully qualified gentlemen entirely supporting the report of the Engineer. The Council should bo very careful bolore disregarding such advice. The Mayor conveyed the vote of thanks to Mr. Grant. The discussion would be beneficial to the Council. : Mr. Grant (speaking in acknowledgment) : My point is wo want 111 yards a day and can only get'2o yards a day from Patutahi. Cr. Wliinray: I know of one contractor alone prepared to cart 20 cubic yards per day. Mr. Grant said the road would not stand such traffic. 1 After Mr. Grant’s retirement the discussion was continued. Mr. Colley also interviewed the Council and quoted reports in favor of Patutahi. If metal could he quarried, crushed and delivered on the trucks at Waihirere for Is 2;jd per cubic yard, wliv could it not be done at Patutahi? The latter had equal facilities and with better plant- lie thought the cost from Patutahi could be cheapened. 1 The discussion was adjourned to a further meeting.