BOROUGH WORKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 84, 10 April 1929, Page 9

BOROUGH WORKS.

PROGRESS IN ALBERT.

BASIS OF PERMANENCY. An indication of the solid nature of the works which have been carried out hy the Mount Albert Borough is given in a comprehensive report which was presented to the council last evening by the Mayor (Mr. L. E. Rhodes), covering a period of two years. Dealing in a. thorough manner with road construction, the building of bridges, the advancement of the drainage and waterworks schemes, as well as with various subsidiary services, the report shows that excellent progress has been made. Discussing the interesting item of subdivisions and buildings, the report states that some forty acres had been dealt with during the term just ended, and 39 chains, or just under half a mile, of new roads had been privately constructed. New buildings to the number of 267 had been erected, bringing the total number of dwellings in the borough up to 4716.

In referring to the Mount Albert Government ballast pit, the report states that efforts had been made from time to time during the last 25 years to have the Government scoria quarry on Mount Albert closed, but it had remained for the present council to see this muchdesired object achieved. The closing of this quarry will be the means of saving what was considered the finest and most symmetrical volcanic cone in the Southern Hemisphere from ultimate total destruction. The quarry machinery had now been removed and the branch railway line taken up, thus eliminating three dangerous level crossings and leaving the way open for further tramway extension.

On the subject of work by contract, as compared with the day work method, the report states that it had been the policy of the council to let portion of its work by contract in order that a proper check could be kept on the cost of the work carried out by day labour. This method had proved quite effectual, and, notwithstanding the fact that contracts had been keenly competed for, the average cost per chain by day work is less than the average cost per chain of roading works let by contract.