Watering the Streets.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 85, 29 December 1887, Page 3

Watering the Streets.

COMPLAINTS. Itr his report to the Council on Tuesday the following remarks were made by” Mr Wilkinson, Overseer t— Enquiries were made last Saturday about tbs watering cart not being nut. Il being a very hot and dry day, I consider it was very much needed. I may state that I saw Mr Doleman, the contractor, and asked him why the cait was not out, and he said if it was needed he would start it st once. Two Saturdays previous to this the cart was knocked off at noon, when it was blowing and very dusty.

Cr Lucas said that on Monday it had also been dusty, and several complaints had been made to him about the water cart not being out. He went down to the contractors place himself, and found him on the point of starting for the races. He asked him why the cart was not out, and Mr Doleman said that it was a public holiday and he did not see why he should not go out. He (Cr Lucas) said that if the contractor could not do it himself he ought to get a man to do it—the ratepayers could not suffer. Be had left saying that if he could find a man he would get the cart started. The cart was not started, though fortunately a shower came on afterwards. He thought that some expression of opinion from the Council should be given to the contractor, that he should perform his dudes more carefully. Cr Whinray i No doubt there is some excuse for yesterday. Common, Shelton being shut up he may not have been able to get water. Cr Townley : That has nothing to do with us.

Cr Joyce thought that the contract should be carried out in its entirety. According to the report that had not been done. Of course the contract being taken in a lump sum it was different than if they were paying by the load. He had noticed the cart was not out on two or three occasions when it should have been, and many ueople had complained about it. He thought Doleman should be informed that he must carry out his contract according to the specifications—that was, the satisfaction of the Council. He would more to that effect.

Cr Dunlop asked whether the Overseer had instructed the contractor to bring the cart out on the day mentioned, or merely asked him whether he should not do eo. He understood ( the contractor was under the control of the Overseer.

Mr Wilkinson said he had asked Doleman if he was not going to bring the cart out. The latter said he did not think it was needed, as it was not dusty. He (the Overseer) said it was needed. The contractor said he was goi"g up to see. In reply to the Mayor Mr Wilkinson said the cart was not put on that day. Cr Townley understood that the contractor was to keep the dust down, and be under the orders of the Overseer. It was very clear the conditions had not been fulfilled. If the cart had been out on Saturday they would not have had such dusty days as Sunday and Monday. It wax no excuse for to say tl at Common, Shelton and Co's, eople were having a holiday. The contractor undertook to water the roads when required, and if he did not do so the Council was privileged to “ dock " his pay. Cr Joyce’s motion was then put, that Doleman be informed that he is not at present performing the contract to the satisfaction of the Council, and if there were any more complaints the Council would be compelled to take further steps, Cr Morgan seconded and the motion was carried unanimously.