ROAD METAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2186, 9 May 1908, Page 3

ROAD METAL.

■SUPPLY FROM PATUTAHI.

Representatives of the Gisborne Borough Council and the Cook County Council met in conference at the County Council Offices yesterday afternoon to discuss upon what terms the Borough would agree to take a supply of metal from the Patutahi quarry if the tramway, as proposed by Mr. A. F. Matthews was built. There were present Hon. Captain Tucker, Messrs T. Holden, IV. D. S. MacDonald, A. F. Mattliers, Sherratt and H. White (Cook County Council), and Messrs. E. H. Mann, J. Somervell, J. Whinray, W. Pettie and Dr. Williams (Gisborne Borough Council). In opening the discussion Captain Tucker said the County Council desired to know if the Borough would undertake to contract for a supply of 8000 yards of metal each year, for five years. The Borough had promised to take 30,000 yards within three years, but the County would be more inclined to consider an offer to take 40,000 yards within 5 years. The amount would only be 10,000 yards more and would be spread over a longer period. " (Mr IV. Pettie asked if the Borough consented to take the latter quantity at what time would delivery of tho first supplies be made? Captain Tucker said if the tramway was decided upon it would bo built as expeditiously as possible. Mr. Whinray thought that there would bo no difficulty in the Borough being able to use 40,000 yards of metal in five years if a tramway was laid down.

Mr Somervell expressed similar views.

Mr. Mann said ho would support a proposal to take 8000 yards each year for five years.

Dr. Williams said the question to him was if tho Borough could get metal from Waihirere at a cheaper price than from Patutahi, whether they would be justified in contracting for such a large supply over a long period. Even at the reduced rate the Patutahi stone would bo 2s per yard dearer than the estimated cost of Waihirere metal. Suppose the Borough would take 30,000 yards in three years, what would be the reply, of the 'County Council ? Captain Tucker: I don’t think the Council would undertake to build tho trams.

Dr. Williams: Well, I would be tho last man in the world to try and block it, and I would agree to take the larger supply. ■ Mr. Pettie assured the County Council that the Borough was favorably disposed to the plans and would not attempt to block the proposal. Ho thought the modified proposal would ho unanimously agreed to by the Borough Council. The chairman said he felt satisfied with tho expression of the feeling of the meeting and hoped the Council would be able to go on with the schemo. Good metal was necessary for good roads, and a tramway would servo both local bodies. H© thanked the Borough Councillors for the strai-ght-forward way they had met the proposals. The representatives of the Borough Council then withdrew.

Captain Tucker said that before anything further could be done a proposal to -’raise a (loan would have to be placed before the ratepayers. The further discussion of the question was then adjourned for a week to allow a rating proposal to bo drawn up before the matter can be submitted to the-ratepayers for consideration.