CITY WORKS

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 135, 3 March 1922, Page 6

CITY WORKS

SUGGESTIONS TO COUNCIL’S NEW COMMITTEE . IMPORTANT MATTERS DEALT WITH MR. MORTON SUBMITS REPORT The first report submitted by the city engineer to the new Works Committee of the City Council was laid before the council last night. Mr. Morton strongly recommended the committee to take the following matters into consideration as being some of the most important in connection with the work done annually in the city. “The preparation of estimates for annual expenditure: These estimates should bo available at the commencement of the financial year. “The amount allocated for the various districts of the trity should bear a reasonable proportion to the rates obtained from such district. I have already spoken to the city treasurer ana to the collector of rates regarding the preparation of a return which will show the valuation in each district on a basis similar to that on which the estimates are prepared, in order that the above suggestion may be carried out. I have also forwarded to the rates collector a plan showing those districts marked thereon. . “I am strongly of opinion that tor some years past the city proper has not been receiving a proportionate amount of the annual expenditure, as by reason of the various associations existing in the outer areas more money has been allocated to them than is advisable, when the requirements ot the central portion of the city art! taken into consideration. Road Improvements. “A start has been made with the paving of several of the streets in the central portion of the city with tar macadam (this particularly in view o. the heavy cost of maintenance or oidinary macadam), and I strongly recommend that consideration be given to the continuation of this class of work, which is of an intermediate character between the ordinary waterbound macadam and a permanent pav ment. It is. however, such a work that I would not recommend for expenditure under loan, as although consider the life of the street surface will be considerably increased, th work is not of such a permanent char“tj would justify t. under loan expenditure. It will, bow , T insider it advisable lor tne od tar 1 consioer 1 gum . council to purchase ioi . . t o mor season a quantity of b tumen to enable a start to be made WteS g ive IS anJd U ea of the more permanent resuß to °J f tained as compaied wit tar. Wood-blocks are still Tios e Z feet S. «>• of the city were paved. Supplies by Contract. “A question for consideration is the advisability or otherwise of going back inn-chased on quotation. This practice was also adopted by the Government “A considerable increase m the outnut from Ngahauranga Quariy has been obtained by reason of the nrovements which have been carried out at that locality. Attention retires to be given to the supply of the nocessaiw metal for southern districts M the cRy. This is a very necessary requirement, and the council should Sve the matter full consideration. S -n’lie condition of the corporation yard has been frequently touched upon bv me The continued use and improvement necessary.to be carried out m connection therewith, both for economical reasons, for easy working and for the general improvement of the locality, are matters which I strongly uree for consideration. . “The advisability of purchasing additional motor vehicles for use by the various -services of the city is one also requirhig close consideration in view of.the high prices now paid for horseflesh and tho cost of upkeep and w°jkinc In connection with this matter tho advantages of greater .speed in travelling should be taken into consideration. I am of opinion that a mechanically-propelled vehicle of Jour tens capacity will be f°™ d " every respect to the use of five boi.se teams with their drivers and equipment. Rubbish Removal. “The establishment of depots in various districts to facilitate the cleansing and removal of refuse from those districts —such depots would require to be provided with Proper road approaches and bins tn order that the material could be rapidly loaded into motor vehicles so as to minimise standing time. . . “An inspection is required at as early a date as possible of a proposed road to connect with Kliandallah. At the present time access io Khandallah can only be obtained through This road is very tortuous in character, and is one not suitable by location for the traffic which will ultimately be required into Kliandallah and the development which 1 expect to take place in that district. Supply of Bricks. “The question of the supply of suitable bricks for the use of the. city ( both privately and publicly, is in mv opinion an urgent one. Bricks may be used for a considerable number of purposes apart from the construction, of walls for buildings, and such materials ■ may bo used to a great extent in connection with all classes oFconstructional work. The bricks hitherto obtained in this citv have been of very inferior quality, and are at the presept time being sold at £5 per 1000 at the kilns, whereas recently when in Melbourne 1 ascertained that bricks of much superior quality are being sold at £3 pci 1000 at the kilns, thb price for labour being about the same. 1 am strongly of opinion that the use of bricks for building purposes generally cannot be improved upon, and that they must always be considered as absolutely necessary for the future buildings of the city. I consider that for residential buildings they would be found much more economical and permanent than the use of timber if the prices could be brought to about £3 per 1000. “For the information of the committee and io enable it thoroughly to comprohond the magnitude of the work now required to be undertaken. I propose to have a return prepared showing the number of mon normally en-

gaged in tho upkeep of the city and which would be apart from work Included under loan expenditure. Expenditure on New Works. “Another point upon which the committee should gi<e an opinion is the amount of money which should be provided out of revenue, to be expended on new work such as the construction of new roads. I am inclined in the opinion that maintenance work should always be kept at a satisfactory standard in order to prevent the money required for such work growing beyond reasonable sums. For some time past it has been the practice to carry out new work, including the laying out and construction of new roads, to a extent out of revenue. Whilst to a certain degree this may be advisable, yet the public should-' not consider that rates are payable for the purpose of new road construction. In many cases new construction of roads which have not been taken over by the corporation should at least be subsidised by the localities requiring such consideration, and should not be a complete charge on the general body of ratepayers. “In forwarding the above suggestions for consideration, I recognise that further and more detailed reports will be required. I am, however, making these suggestions merely, for the purpose of starting the work' of this committee, and have to recommend that all requests for work to be done should be referred to tho Public Works Committee for a recoMV-endation, after which the necessary financial arrangements should be considered by the Finance Committee.”

The Works Committee reported that the matters referred to were receiving its consideration.

Councillor Chapman pointed out that the figures given by the engineer would justify the council in erecting its own brick kilns, namely, that bricks which cost £5 per 1000 here could be made in Victoria for £2 per 1000. There seemed to be a' campaign abroad to discredit municipal enterprises, but he thought there was little ground, for it. The Mayor said they were considering the matter, and there would probably be something to bring before the council next meeting. ,