THE SEWERAGE WORKS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3177, 24 March 1911, Page 2

THE SEWERAGE WORKS.

MR. MARCHANT’S PROPOSALS REVIEWED. IMPORTANT REPORT BY BOROUGH ENGINEER. SEVERAL RECOMMENDATIONS ADOPTED. Some important matters connected with the sewerage works came before the Borough Council last night- in the form or a report by the Works Committee and another ny Mr Paterson, the borough engineer. THE WORKS' COMMITTEE REPORT The report of the Works Committee stated that at a meeting of the Committee, it was resolved to write to the Harbour Board for permission to put the Kaiti septic tank on the reclamation near the breakwater in order to save useless expense in having to take land under the Public Works Act. It was proposed by Or. Darton and seconded by Cr. Pettie : “That the first paragraph, sub-section 1, be made to read: ‘The area east of Stanley road to Disraeli street,, including the sewer gnd metal main along Stanley road,’ and sub-section 2 would then read : ‘The area west- of Stanley road to, and including Lytton road.’ ” —This was carried, the Mayor voting against.—Cr. Darton then proposed: “That section 3 be left out of tlie contract.”—The Mayor ruled this out of order, as when contract commences day labour ceased, according to the decision of thexCouncil.

The Borough Solicitor’s letter re specifications was read and considered, when it was decided to refer it to the consulting engineer, but to ascertain from the solicitors if the contract price was split into different sums for different sections, could those amounts be paid in full, without being compelled to Hold back 25 per cent, until 30 days after the completion of the whole contract. The borough engineer explained what alterations he would suggest being made in the specification, as follows:—(1) That material be sold to the contractor In lieu of being given in order that waste may bo prevented: (2) that the clause in regard to providing a leveller be struck out; (3) that the clause relative to past exnerience in opening trenches be deleted; (4) that the paragraph ;in No. 2 contract re details of bridge across Waimata. river was not minute enough; (5) that in lieu of contractor maintaining street surfaces, the same be done by the borough; (6) that in schedule tenderers give separate items for main septic tank by break costs in lieu of a lump sum. such as excavation, concrete work, etc., separately. (Jn the proposal of Cr. Pettie, seconded by Cr. Darton, it was decided that the meeting stand adjourned, and in tlie meantime the engineer bring forward in jvriting suggestions or alterations he thinks advisable in the specifications. ? The Mayor considered it was not pru-. dent to put any of the suggestions made by the engineer in the specifications, and many of tlie suggested alterations were fully covered by the general conditions giving power to the Council to alter or vary works as they desired, and it only meant delaying advertising the; tenders, which was not desirable, besides, any adjustments could be made when Mr Marchant was present before tenders were accepted.

THE ENGINEER’S REPORT. The borough engineer reported on the matter as follows : Tne length of sewers constructed to IStii March was 3 1-3 miles, consisting of 54 chains of 9in sewer, 147 chains of bin, and 63 chains of 4in —total, 264 chains —and there are 11 manholes and 33 inspection pits. There was u considerable amount- of water mot with during the fortnight, also large totara logs, which have seriously impeded the progress of the’ work. Tlie pipes for the rising main connecting the septic tank with the Grey steeet and Stanley road pumping stations have been laid. The fittings for the ventilating shafts are to hand, and will be connected as soon as possible. Owing to alterations in the Grey street station it will be necessary to obtain about 400 ft. more of 9in. steel pipes and I have to ask permission to order this through Messrs Burns and Co., the contractors for the first supply, as soon as possible, so that no time/may be lost in completing tins' important connection. Tlie Stanley road septic tank has been tarred and sanded on the top. Derby street pumping section was commenced 1 on the 14th inst, and the station excavated to a depth of about 17ft., and the concrete floor laid. TESTING OF, THE PIPES. Another shipment of pipes came to hand during the fortnight. The quality is not so good as that of those supplied in the first shipment. On J amiary 14th Mr Marchant gave a general instruction that only one pipe in ten should be tested. Mr Fraser, drainage inspector, of Wellington, who is supervising the testing in that town on our behalf, states: “I consider a mistake has been made in altering the testing arrangements, for if the pipes are to be .tested at all every one should be put through, or it is only so much money wasted.” I have to recommend that m future contracts all pipes be tested. With reference to material for Kaiti •and Whataupoko, I have to recommend that tenders be called for 1050 ft. of 4in steel main and 54 3in steel vent pipes, and the 21 service boxes and one flushing gate he ordered from Messrs Ham, Baker and. Co. With regard to the lOin steel main across the Waimata it is advisable to hold over ordering this until, the Marine Department approves of the plans. As the position of the Kaiti septic tank and the length of the Stanley road tank outfall are still undecided, I cannot estimate the length of cast iron main necessary.

; PROPOSED CONTRACTS. With regard to‘Mr Marcihant’s proposed sub-division of No. 1 contract into separate portions, 1 have to recommend, that tins be referred back to Mr Maicnant lor his consideration. It is unfortunate that Mr Marchant did not discuss this .matter. witii me previous to making out his specification. I have prepared two plans showing Mr Marchant’s proposals and my own. It seeins to me that it would be in the best interests of the health of the borough to 1 have the Grey and Derby streets pumping sections constructed first and completely. in each case, and) that the Stanley road section be divided into two portions, as proposed by Mr Marchant, but that the eastern one, marked No. 1 on my plan, should be constructed first by'tihe contractors. This method would allow’ the borough to take over each section without tear- of friction with the contractors during their maintenance period, provided for in clause 22 of Mr Marcliant’s general conditions. It seems to me that some stringent clause should be included in tlie specification to prevent waste of any of the materials which are to be supplied 1 by the borough free to the contractors. lam of opinion that the street, maintenance cf providing shingle to top up the trenches should be done by the borough after the filling in of the trenches has been passed by the inspector of the drainage. The Health Department’s addition to the septic tank will require to be included in the plans. FURTHER RECOMMENDATIONS. . The clause in Mr Marchant’s specification with reference to the experience of opening trenches where subsoil water exists, should be either omitted or covered by a clause stating that this is without prejudice should any damage result to the contractor from His following this instruction. In liny opinion, it tvill be better to provide for reinforced concrete covers for the inspection pits in the same manner as we provide the manhole covers. I do not think that the method of the contractor supplying levels will relieve my department from any work and it seems to me that it will mean an increased price in the contret," which is not necessary. Tlie schedule of prices propose! bv Mr Marchant should be enlarged with regard to tlie large septic tank at Kaiti so that progress payments be made without friction and in fairness to the contractor.

The Mayor said that the suggested alterations were practically provided foil'll the specifications. The matter could be gone into when M l ’- Marchant was present, and he would ask the Council not to alter the specifications unless it was found that, something was radically required. Mr. Marchant w’as responsible. for the design of the scheme, and they should not remove that responsibility. The object of the Council was to get the work done in the particular portion referred to, but they should adhere to the specifications. In reply to Cr. Jackson, the engineer said that any alterations should bo put into the specifications before the contractor w’ould be asked to give his estimate. It would only, he held, be in fairness to the contractor to do so. Cr. Sheridan held that- Mr. Marchant’s responsibility- in the matter was quite fantastical, as if the matter came to a Court case, Mr. Marchant would call an array of expert evidence to say that the work had been properly carried out. After some further discussion on the details, the Borough Engineer’s recommendation in regard to man-holes was adopted by 6 votes to 2. The Mayor and Cr. Hepburn voted against the proposal A similar vote resulted in regard to the engineer’s recommendation concerning the taking of levels. A good deal of discussion tcok place in regard to the Roberts Road pumping station and it was eventually decided to proceed with the work by day labor. Crs. Darton and Clayton voted in the . negative. In regard to the proposed subdivision of No. 1 contract into separate portions, the engineer’s recommendation to refer it back to Mr. Marchant was adopted, tlie Mayor and Cr. Hepburn voting against it. It was decided to send 1 a copy of the report to Mr. Marchant. with a view to the framing of a clause in regard to the waste of materials. Reference was also niade to another clause in the specifications providing for the supply of gravel at os per yard to the contractor for concrete work. It was decided, on the motion, of Cr, Darton., seconded by Cr. Sheridan, that the clause be deleted( and l that another be substituted providing that the gravel shall be supplied free of charge. It was further decided that the outfall sewer from the Stanley Road .septic tank should be carried out to 60 feet below low-water mark. One or two other minor alterations were suggested and carried. Dealing with the first portion of the report the question of the pipes was considered;, and some considerable discussion took place. The engineer said the first, shipment of pipes were of the best quality, but the same could not be said of the later lots He thought it was a great mistake not to test every' pipe. Cr. Clayton moved, and Cr. Sheridan seconded a. motion that in future all pipes be tested. Tlie motion was carried, the Mayor alone voting against. The recommendations of the engineer in regard to tlie supply of material for Kaiti and Wliataupoko and the 10-inch steel main were also agreed to. The Mayor moved that on receipt of a reply from Mr. Marchant on the clauses in the specifications to be refer’red to him, tenders should be called for the sewerage works. Any o,f the suggested alterations that he approved of could he put in, but the others could be left over until Mr. Marchant came to Gisborne, before the tendois are accepted. •Councillors did not approve of the suggestion, which was seconded by Or. Hepburn. •Cr. Sheridan moved as an amendment “That the advertising of the tenders. he delayed until tlie resolutions .carried to-night might be referred to Mr. Marchant for consideration, and his replies received by the Council.” Cr. Clayton seconded the amendment, which was carried, the Mayor and Cr. Hepburn voting in the negative.