ON SALE GROUNDS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 10139, 27 October 1925, Page 2

ON SALE GROUNDS

COST OF NEW HARBOR WORKS. BELOW THE ESTIMATES THUS FAR, SAYS ENGINEER, The progress report of the various sections of the new harbor works carried out during the three months ending October 13, submitted to the Board yesterday was, members agreed a very satisfactory state of affairs. Of the river diversion, representing the walls and including the cost of the construction yards, 36 per cent of the work lias been* executed for £32,070, the estimate for this percentage being £35,800. Credit is allowed in - the estimate and actual cost for rails, sleepers etc. The report shows that 19 per cent of the river diversion dredging has been done for £9070, as compared witli the estimate of £11,770 for this portion .of the work. On the new slip\vay, 63 per cent of the project has been completed at a cost of £9,990, the estimate for this percentage being £9500, and in both estimate and cost for oregon timber. Thirty-two per cent of the dredging to channel and berthages has-been completed, at a cost of £ll,lOO, compared with the estimate of £12,600 •for this portion. Mr Quirk pointed out that it was stated 19 per cent of the river diversion dredging had been done, but this did not appear so to the layman. Was the cost of blasting included in the cost of dredging the diversion? The Engineer stated that this was the cash. Continuing, Mr Quirk said that it was very satisfactory if the Board could only; maintain the same expenditure compared with the estimate. They would be on safe financial grounds. Replying to Mr Holds worth, the chairman stated that the next time the channel had to be . dredged, it would be a* charge against revenue, and if a flood silted up the river again and dredging was necessary, this worlj would be a. charge against the Board’s income. The public wanted tlm channel dredged and we did it. If anything happens it will show how foolish ft is to do any* dredging until flij? divcrsion-cu.t is put through.; ,