SEWERAGE EXTENSION

Grey River Argus, 10 February 1938, Page 6

SEWERAGE EXTENSION

To be Let by Tender DECISION OF BOROUGH COUNCIL A special meeting of the Greymouth Borough Council was hed last evening to consider the method of carrying out the sewerage proposals, so that the best means : may be adopted to do the work efficiently, expeditiously and economically. The ,Mayor (Mr W. Meldrum)- presided, and there were also present: Councillors A. H. McKane, J. B. Kent, A. M. Carroll, G. R. Harker, F. F. Boustridge, P. Blanchfield, A. H. Paterson and R. J. Williams. • The Mayor said that the position was that, whether in carrying out the sewerage scheme, they were going to entrust the work to their Enginner, (Mr. A. J. Fairmaid) or call on some other engineer to do the Work. At present Mr Fairmaid was also manager of the Gas Works. .It was Mr Fairmaid’s personal wish to carry 7 out the supervision of" the work, and give up the position of acting-manager of the Gas Works. This would mean calling applications for a manager foi’ the Gas Works. Personally, he (the Mayor) also thought that it was the right'thing to have a separate Gas Works manager, who-could give the job his full time and the attention necessary in such a business. It was decided on the motion of the Mayor, that the sewerage work be entrusted to the Borough Engineer. ' The Engineer said that he would require assistance in carrying out the sewerage scheme. Much depended on how quickly it was desired to have the work done. It was a matter of having actual supervision. Cr. McKane said that it was desired to get the work in hand as quickly as possible. They had the money available, also the men to carry the work out. In reply to Cr. Kent, the Engineer said that in the estimates for the sewerage scheme, he had allowed for the employment of an assistant-en-gineer, clerk of works, etc. The question of assistance towards the engineer was then discussed. In reply to Cr. Carroll, the Engineer said that there were no qualified men in Greymouth, who could take up the position of assistant-engineer. He did not think that they could get a man of the calibre desired under £4OO or £5OO a year. Cr. Kent said that an assistant-en-gineer with a practical knowledge of drainage work was required. It was decided to call applications for the position of an assistant-en-gineer, for the sewerage scheme, at a salary of £450 a year, applications to close on March 3rd. Cr. Harker said that the next, question was one of policy in the carrying out of the sewerage extension. He would like to see the work tendered for in sections, in preference to day labour. The Engineer said that the main sewer through Blaketown could be worked as a co-operative job. Cr. Kent suggested that the work be carried out on the lines suggested by the Engineer. , Cr. Harker moved and Cr. Williams seconded that the work be- carried out by tender, with the exception of Blaketown which would be carried out under the co-operative contract system. Cr. McKane pointed out that the position would be that the successful tenderer in each case would have'to draw 80 per cent, of his men from the Labour Department. The Engineer said that care would have to be taken in this respect, -in order to ensure that the Council would get the full subsidy. It- was £2 10s per week per married man employed, or £25,000, whichever was the greater. . Cr. Harker’s motion was carried. The Engineer was instructed to order immediately pipes necessary to carry on the work straight away. Thg Engineer and Town Clerk were requested to confer in the matter of a costing scheme. It was decided to forward circulars to all ratepayers in the already sewered portion of the borough, requesting them to instal sanitary appliances in order to link up with the sewerage, within six months. The meeting then went into committee to. discuss the question relating to the Gas Works and the suggested appointment ■of a full-time Gas Manager.