COUNCIL WORKS.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19690, 6 August 1929, Page 10

COUNCIL WORKS.

COLOMBO STREET bridge. CR. COOKE QUOTES FIGURES. „ the meeting of the City Council on Julv 22nd, the question of Colombo street bridge was reported upon, and, referred back to the Works Committee j for further consideration. j The latter reported again last evening:— , It will be remembered that three proposals were submitted for the Council's consideration, viz., (i.) with elevation as at present £llOO, (u ) braced arch with amended wrng walls, but showing girder, £1900; (m.) span-, drell arch, £2300. When the proposal was previously submitted, the Committee recommended the adoption of the third proposal. After giving the matter further consideration, the Committee wishes to adhere to its previous recommendation, it being of an opinion that a bridge with an understruCi>ure or trub type would be more in keeping with other bridges in the locality, which are of somewhat similar construction. 1 urthermore, the erection of the Edmonds band rotunda, the Bowker fountain, and other improvements in the enhance the of bridge from an- aesthetic point of view, and the Committee is of opinion that the additional expenditure referred to is warranted. Cr. F. R. Cooke said that the Committee had come to the conclusion that it would be unwise to alter the original recommendation. The number two suggestion would expose iron girders, and for that reason would be unsuitable for Colombo street. The first suggestion was, of course, out of the question.

Cr. A. W. Beaven asked that his vote be recorded against the clause, as the Committee proposed to do the work without submitting it to public tender. Cr. Cooke said this aspect was not under discussion at all. Cr. Beaven said Cr, Cooke was not quite genuine in this statement. Cr. Flesher: Where is the money coming from for this work? Cr. Cooke: It is coming from contingencies of the reading loan. The estimate for the work on Mowbray street was £3878, and it had cost £3IOO. Cr. Andrews: But that was done when I was chairman. Cr. Cooke said nearly £2OO was saved on Lincoln road.

Cr. Fleshet: Is that work finished? Cr. Cooke said he did not' think Lincoln road would cost the Council anything for years. The estimate for Colombo street was £7335, and the cost £7240. "We are improving as we go on," said Cr. Cooke. In no case had the estimate been exceeded. It was obvious that the City Council was doing work as cheaply as, or more cheaply than, it could be done by private contractors.

Cr. Beaven: Question! Cr. E. H. Andrews: I do not know what this mass of figures has to do with Colombo street? 4 'Nor does Cr. Cooke," said Or. Lyons. . , Cr. Andrews, continuing, eal " that some of the work mentioned by Cr. Cooke had been done before the loan was raised. He had found that the number three scheme cost bo little more than the number two, that he now favoured it, especially as so many improvements were now being made along the river bank. The clause was adopted, Crs. Lyons and Beaven recording their votes against it.