METAL SUPPLY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2622, 2 October 1909, Page 3

METAL SUPPLY.

CONFERENCE OF COUNCILS. THE BOROUGH COUNCIL’S OFFER, A conference between the Borough Council and the Cook County Council took place in the Cook County Council’s office yesterday afternoon for the purpose of ascertainin'!: and agreeing upon the amount the Borough Council should contribute towards the maintenance of the roads over which they cart their metal supplies. There were present the Hon. Captain Tucker (chairman), Crs. T. Holden, A. F. Matthews, R. Sherratt. the Mayor (Mr. W. DLysnar), and Crs. G. Darton and J. C. Collins.

The Chairman read the following report prepared by the County Engineer, Mr. DeG. Fraser: —“In accordance with instructions 1 have the- honor to report on the present condition of t-he metalled road to Gentle Annie and its suitability and otherwise of sustaining heavy traffic by steam waggons, < etc.: (1) Taking the line of road between McLoughlin’s and town boundary, the cost of metal from actual exneriments varies from 3 to 6 inches, laid on an available track of 10 to 15 feet in width. This cost of metal and narrow width of road is. in my opinion, inadequate to withstand a continuous traffic with Straker waggons and trailers without very considerable repairs after the first season’s carting. The extent of these necessary repairs it is impossible for rnc to accurately judge, as I am not at present in a position to know hpw much stone is likely to be carted. Short lengths of the road beyond McLoughtin’s have been metalled some few years ago to a depth of 8 inches, but as the stone taken from Gentle Annie has always been of very mixed nature as to hardness, considerable repairs would also be required on these portions after much metal traffic. Under ordinary conditions the Council effects repairs to the whole length of this road '(Gently Annie to town boundary) to the extent of about 1800 yards of Hone (Patutr.hi) at an average cost cf ATI), w'ntdi l.iiriy meets wear and tear ImG, with ordinary traffic and mota! ends, putting cut about dGOGyds over this rend. _ (2) Presuming the minimi amount carted by Got!) Councils to he 10.000yds from Gentle Annie Quarry, to enable the county road to withstand this traffic ■for, say, 6, years, witli a minimum cost for maintenance, tile whole length of road should receive a coat averaging 20 yards to the chain, and blinding 5 yards to the chain. If this could be delivered for 5s 6d per yard (see Mr. Jarrett’s report) and blinding at 4s. the cost to put the road in order ‘would be as follows —Distance, 12 miles (exclusive of one mile unmetal led), repairing coat, averaging 20vds per chain, 19,200 yards at 5s 6d. £5280 ; blinding, 20yds at 4s, 4800yds, £960; rolling, £150; total, £6390. I would, however, prefer to see repairs effected gradually at towards the end of each season, placing what metal was necessary to keen ruts filled in and the crown of the road maintained after the first year’s carting, and after the second year’s carting putting on a fairly heavy coat, and should consider that on a 10,000yds output repairs might he effected at an average annual cost of £IOOO. Tho fact, however, must not be lost sight nf that if Straker waggon traffic is introduced, the Council will be largely relieved of dray traffic, which is even more destructive, so that a fair allowance should be deducted from the estimated cost,, in apportioning what expenses would bo due to the borough and what to county requirements. Assertions made that Strakers and trailers improve the road surface might hold good on city and suburban roads of substantial construction, but on a road such as Gentle Annie, having an insufficient coat of metal and narrow width, a subsidence of the subsoil under heavy weights will take place, and the road will assuredly break up unless gradually built to withstand this extraordinary traffic. Recognised authorities on; macadamised roads support this view. (3) As regards tho ( suggestion that a tramway built jointly by the two Councils, and your request, that I should state my opinion as regards this means of transit, I may say that such an undertaking would only ho advisable—(a) If the proposed Gentle Annie quarry should turn out canal or superior to Patutalii; (b) that an annual output of not less than 14,000yds was conveyed over the lines, and my report re Batutahi tram could be taken as a basis to work on. The cost of a line to Gentle Annie would nrobably be £2OOO to £3OOO less than the formerJine, if properly equipped with necessary rolling stock and complete accessories, but possibly the revenue would not bo ouite asf large. On the other hand, the cost of maintaining the road From the quarry to town would be largely reduced, and what maintenance metal was required could be obtained for that and other roads at half the present cost.”

The Mayor and members of tlio Boigh Council spoke at length on tho report, particularly pointing out that they admitted no depreciation caused by the Straker waggon on tho roads. ’ The chairman, in answer to a question, said there was not tho lorsb chance of tho County ratepayers reconsidering the decision they took at the recent poll in regard to tramline construction. He said that the County had not received the support of the Borough that they expected. Discussion continued all the afternoon, and finally tho Mayor put the following offer of the Borough Council in writing for the consideration of the County Council:—“The position the Borough takes up is—(1) The Borough Council have no intention in tho future to cart metal by drays, but to cart metal by Straker waggons only. (2) If the Borough loan proposals arc carried, the Borough will require about 10,000 yards of stone carted from Gentle Annie during tho next three years, and thereafter probably about 500yds per year, and if the loan proposals are not carried the Borough Council could not afford to bring in from Gentle Annie more than about 100 yards by Straker waggons. (3) If the loan proposals are carried, a plant will be erected at Gentle Annie which will enable the metal to be crushed and delivered into hoppers at 2s 7d per yard, according to the engineer’s estimate, including interest and sinking fund. (4) The Borougfy Council, acting on the advice ot its experts, cannot admit that there will be any appreciable damage to the County reads by drawing the quantity of metal it requires as stated above by Straker waggon. (5) The Borough Council is prepared to let the County Council have wliat metal it, requires from the Borough Council’s Gentle Annie quarry, when the quarrying plant is erected, at cost price, to include a proportionate part of interest and sinking fund on cost of plant.” The Chairman made the suggestion that the Mayor should put a motion before the Borough Council that, if shown there was anv damage done by Straker waggons they would compensate. The Mayor agreed to put this before the Council, taking into consideration any counter benefits received b% r the County Council.' The conference then adjourned.