KAITARATAHI SHINGLE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2566, 29 July 1909, Page 4

KAITARATAHI SHINGLE.

THE QUESTION OF QUALITY.

When the Borough Council had decided last night to adopt tho finding the Works Committee m regard to recent accident to the Kaitaratalu crane the question of the quauty of the shingle being brought into town W ‘Cr ra iKrton said that he had seen a KUthfln S ol K«rand“l Tbev were paying for stuff that was no tood and the facilities avanable were S being used to the fullest extent in order to get a supply of good gravei. The members of tne Works Committee would support him m his statement. He would like to move that Mr. * . VV. Marchant be engaged to report on the working of the crane and grave, pit. Cr. Clayton supported Or. Darton, remarking that lie was satisfied that a lot of mud was being carted with the cravel. This the- were paying for, and he considered that such a course was detrimental to the best interests of the borough. The gravel required screening, and this could not be done with the present appliances. It had previously been decided by the Council on his motion to obtain a report on tbo cost of the necessary plant for the better screening of the gravel. The Mayor said that he was more than surprised to hear the remarks as to the gravel being ho good. Cr. Clayton explained that he did not say the gravel was no good, but that h lot of silt and mud was being carted with it, decreasing it in value. The Mayor said that he did not pay much heed to the remarks of the Councillors who were condemning the gravel, as it showed that those gentlemen knew very little about it. There were always some who were trying to find something to complain about, and the Kaitaratalu gravel scheme was not yet properly on its legs. He knew nothing of any silt or mud. coming in with tho gnrvel *ior did the Overseer. He was more than surprised at the motion, in view of the fact that he had made no secret of his own intention to move that a report be obtained. He thought it was very bad taste te bring the matter up, as he had told Councillors of : is intention, ‘and it had been published in the press. These mare’s nests (laughter) were always being raised while he was away. Crs. Darton and disavowed any knowledge of the Mayor c intention to move for a report, and the latter suggested that the Mayor was ta'Kiqg too exaggerated a view of his own importance in supposing that Councilors waited for his absence to bring up such matters. As Cr. Darton had seated himselt before proposing his motion, it was not accepted by the Mayor. Cr. Clayton then moved that tb© report he had previously asked for b© brought up. „ Cr. Somervell seconded the motion, stating that he was not at all satisfied with the gravel that was being brought in It was too fine and undoubtedly required screening It was quite true that the grab brought up sand and mud, but the machinerv was splendid, and they should be obtaining better results. -. _ Cr. Pettie considered that Cr. Darton had gone too far. He (the speaker) had never heard it said that the grave* was useless. The committee had considered the qualitv of the gravel, and had been told by the uverseer that it would be much better screened. Iney then thought it would be a good thing to get a report on the cost of the necessary plant for the purpose. _ Cr. Collins said be agreed with Cr. Pettie, in that he 'had,never thought the gravel to be useless. It had certainly been pointed out that screened gravel would be advisable and better, but the bogey that was bein" raised was really accounted for by the fact of tho Works Committee of the previous Council having fai:ed to do their duty when passing the work. Ck. Kirk said that a was being made .out of a molehill. There was no need for a report as to the cost of the plant if the Mayor were going to move for the report of an expert. The Mayor said that he was satisfied that a bogey was being raised, but he gave the ratepayers credit for more intelligence than to take notice of the statements that had been made. The motion on being put to the meeting was lost, Crs. Darton, Clayton, and Somervell voting in support of it.