THE BOROUGH ENGINEER

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LIII, Issue LIII, 14 April 1908, Page 5

THE BOROUGH ENGINEER

ENQUIRY REGARDING EGMONT STREET.

A special meeting of the Hawera < Borough Council was held on Monday ni"ht to consider matters affecting Egmont street (otherwise known as i Brown's road) and the Borough Engineer (Mr Macpherson). The Mayor : presided, and all the councillors, with ; tjie exception of Cr Brunette, were present. Tne Mayor dwelt at some length on the history of this particular street i from the drawing up of the plans to j the completion of the contract. Some property owners abutting the road objected to the road being not opened to the public, and believing all was in order the obstructions were removed ; and the road thrown open for traffic. This led up to the enquiry to-night. The first point they had to consider was: Had the street been reported upon, and had the Council properly approved of the street? A sub-com-mittee had been appointed to get information upon the matter. No written report having been received from the Borough Engineer the sub-commit-tee had got Mr Macpherson to make a report, which he would' proceed to peai. Cr Campbell here pointed out that the report was not signed. He wished to know if the Engineer would sign ft- , , The Borough Engineer said he would not sign it till after the enquiry. Had they asked him to do so before the meeting had started he would have feigned it. But he 1 was not going to do it now. The Mayor: You admit the report has been made? The Engineer: Yes. Cr Campbell: We cannot tafce it as a report. The Mayor ruled that the report without the signature was a report. They could deal with it as was thought proper later. Cr Campbell persisted that the report was not a r^Glt. The Mayor (with emphasis): I say it is, and I art going to read it. BOROUGH ENGINEER'S REPORT. Cr Campbell then vacated his seat, and the Mayor proceeded to read the report as follows: — "As requested by the Mayor to report on work done by me for the trustees of the John Brown's Estate, about twelve months ago. On account of the short time you have allowed me, I can. only report from memory. This work was passed about nine months ago. The principal nart of the work wag uone by Plkett Bad Wilkie, and c6m- . pleted by their trustee* When I gave I the final certificate for this work there were a iew «naH items incomplete, which the trusteed promised to do when the weather impro^ this time Were Wilk/* and A ? d ft was At the time I passed xhe » ad , ??" £ • i i • i t t v id no nesitaa fairly good job and I h^\ that the turn in passing it. I thiiu , dationSj work is one of the best foui* - |j een for a light traffic street, that hat. * xh a t laid in the borough, and also think i ■•• the trustees have given a better Street than was anticipated hy the Council | I want it to be clearly understood that f the trustees of the John Brown's Es- I tate employed and paid me, and that I was responsible in no way to anyone but Brown's trustees. The borough has not asked me to report on this road, with one exception that might perhaps be construed into a report, viz., about three or four months ago the Mayor asked me casually if Brown's road was all in order. I replied just as casually that it was. This work was first placed in my hands by Mr White in October, 1906. (Signed John Macpherson. (Note: Signature typed.)" Cr Campbell resumed his place at I the Council table after the report had been read. MR CLIMIE'S REPORT. The Mayor proceeded to say that the Borough Engineer, acting as engineer for the trustees in Brown's estate, had passed the work and given his final certificate. It had been thought advisable to have an outside report, which had been obtained from Mr Climie, as follows : — "At your request I have, made a thorough inspection of the work on Egmont street. "Formation. — This is fairly good, th« ' width being '45ft as against 46ft specified ; but as at some future date kerbing will be required it is rather an advantage to have this six inches of' solid earth to allow of t!he kerb Hne being cut out of the solid; but the formation has been spoiled in a few places by small pits being dug to get material for banking up the metal. This should not have been allowed. "Metal. — I had cuts made across the metal in thirty-three places for the purpose of measuring the width and depth, the depth being measured in three places in each cut, thus making ninety-nine measurements of depth and thirty-three measurements of width. The average depth of material on the street is 6J inches on sides, and 6$ inches in the centre, and the average width of metal is 11 feet 3£ inches as against 12 feet- specified. "The quantity of metal, including blinding, according to these measurements, equals fourteen cubic yards per chain. This is the same quantity a^ the measurements specified for broken stone .only .will give, without making any allowance for the blinding, as there are five cubic yards to the chain of blinding gravel specified. I think that if the proper quantity of blinding had been put on at least half of it should show in the measurement, that is, the quantity on the road should be 16 cubic yards instead of 14 as actually measured. This would amount to about 80 yards of material short on the whole length of the road. • "Quality. — The broken stone is the usnal 2*in crusher broken, but is very flaky. These large flaky pieces should have been napped at the time to comply with the requirements of • 2*in gaunre of spreading. This is, usually specified? but it is riot specified in this particular work; but ,this napping should have been done notwithstanding this omission. . The material uae4 for the blinding is very inferior, in fact half of it appears to bo/ clay and a few lar^o st«n«>s. The^clayev material < has washed down between, the broken

road is as left by the contractor, there "* being no signs of traffic over it. On ] the whole the work has been left in an ] unfinished state, judging by the pits s left in the formation and the large ] stones and lumps of blinding not been 1 broken. In my opinion the work should not have been passed in its present i condition.— Yonrs obediently, H. W. s dimie." 1 ENGINEER'S DUAL POSITION. i The Mayor, continuing, said the con- ] tract money had been paid. He would take it that when Mr Macpherson y passed the work for the trustees he 1 must have also passed it as Borough ( Engineer. Mr "White, one of the trus- j tees, was present, and would give any j information he could. It had been stated at a previous meeting of the Council that certain sums of money had passed between Mr Macpherson and I the contractors for this particular work, who were also the contractors for the boundary roads. The inference 1 naturally followed that there had been some irregularities on the part of the ] Engineer in regard to the work with i the°contractor. They must enquire as to what position the Engineer held in ; connection with the Egmont street contract and whether it had any bearing on the boundary road contracts. The unfortunate part of it was that Mr Pikett was dead. The contractors' books showed that certain money had passed between Pikett and Wilkie and j Mr Macpherson. There was nothing to show the why and the wherefore of these payments. Against one of the items the words "Hawera fees" appeared. It was a fair question to ask what those "fees" were for. It was a very unpleasant business, and he would like the whole matter thoroughly investigated. Cr Whittington asked if there was anything to *h6w what the fees were Tor? " The Mayor: Only fees, "Hawera fees." Cr Foy: Also on account of commission. The Mayor replied that there was no mention df commission. Cr Campbell proceeded to ask the Engineer a question, when Mr Macpherson interrupted, saying he would like to understand how the enquiry was to be conducted. He did not like the haphazard manner in which it was being taken. The Mayor replied thai the Council had approved of the street on the information obtained from the Engineer that all was in order. The Council now maintained that it was not in order. That was borne out by the report from Mr •Climie. In connection with the road also came up the question of the fees paid by Mr Pikett to him (the Engineer). "It seems a strange position for you to be in,'' said the May6r, speaking to the Engineer. ; 'Sow is it that you were acting as eHameef for the trustees of Brown's estate, and doing work for them in the trough that would have to be passed by you on behalf of the borough? If . you gave a final certificate that tne > work had been done according to the ■ plans and specifications approved of by i the borough, can you then say that you • have not passed it for the borough? J How can you reconcile the two posi- , tions?" He asked Mr Macpherson if i any of his dealings with Pikett and t Wilkie over Egmont street in any way *• affected that firm's dealings in regard L o the boundary roads. The Council | «., " not allege any collusion between Mr f clfa . and the contractors, but Maeph*. were decidedly in that the sppfiiK direction^ •: What method is to be The Engrh'ti«». followed? like you can give The Mayor : If yoK* „ ~*i (the assera general denial of fbe*. -planation, tions), and a detailed fc~. *■& you after which we will proceed) io any question that is before the i*. ing. The Engineer- v Before- I answer questions I want to know what the charges are. These accusations are simply assertions, and have not been proved. The Mayor: "Surely any man with these things over his head would be willing to answer." There was quite enough for Mr Macpherson to answer. Surely he knew what was wanted. Of course, if he did not think there was enough to answer he could say sa. The Engineer asked if anybody w.aa willing to make an accusation. The Mayor replied that if anybody had said what has been stated about Mr Macpherson of him (the Mayor) he -would want to have the matter thoroughly cleared up. Are you going to make a statement or not? The Engineer: Something must be said- definitely before I reply to it. Cr Campbell - asked the Engineer if the borough funds were used for supplying the metal on Egmont street, and if any separate account was kept in connection with it. Mr Macpherson replied that a separate account was kept, Cr Campbell: Of course you were yourself engaged by these people (the Brown trustees) and had nothing to do with the borough. The Engineer: Nothing to do with the borough. Cr Campbell wanted more minute details, to which Mr Macpherson would not answer at that moment. STATEMENT BY MR W, G. WHITE. The Mayor said that as Mr Macpherson would not give a statement he would like to ask Mr White (one of the trustees who was present) as to how the Brown estate appointed Mr Macpherson. Mr White said that in cutting up the estate it was necessary to get some specifications, which Mr Macpherson drew up. His object was to see that the work was done as the borough intended, and if Mr Macpherson supervised the work, etc., he thought it would be carried out satisfactorily to all parties. The work was proceeded with, and he had got Mr. Macpherjson's certificate that the work had been done in a satisfactory' manner. In answer to Cr Morrissey Mr White said the arrangement with Mr Macpherson was that he should receive 25 per cent, on the contract price, which gave £18 7s. T^je.., Mayor asked Mr White if the Council had approved of- Mr Macpherson acting » in the dual capacity of supervisor for the trustees and the borough. . l'\ Mr White: Nothing passed between me and Mr Macpherson on the matter. In answer to Cr Wilkinson, Mv

White also informed the Mayor that ins he had approached Mr Macpherson hi ttO" regard to the specifications, and in an- ! < swer to Cr Foy said it was Mr Mac- eao pherson who had spoken to him ahout the supervision of the work. ( Answering Cr Morrissey, Mr White ' said on hearing complaints ahout the street he inspected it. What struck in 1 him was that- there were stones on the ha surface larger than the specifications to provided for. so 1 Cr Campbell: At whose suggestion sei was the metal changed? [This ques- ( tion had reference to the fact that the ab original specifications provided for a ,w greater depth of metal than the speci- ws fications subsequently adopted.] Mr White: I cannot remember. an Mr Macpherson (to Mr. ; White): ex When did you first begin to be dissatis- ly fied with this contract? ' ( Mr White : I am not dissatisfied. The Engineer: And you say that there is something should not be done? Mr White: Only from a ' layman's j( point of view. . There are stonjes on the ' x surface that ought not to : be there. "^ The Engineer: How long is it since , y ou looked at the road? /•' ) Mr White: About a month ago. . ', The Engineer: How long is it since ,', the road was passed? ap Mr White: About last September. rif The Engineer : And you were satisfied be until recently when you heard some^' re thing in the street? — Yes. - .' WHY THE WORK WAS PASSED. Cr Foy said the Engineer had mentioned in the report, that there was some blinding to be done at the end of the road, also a culvert' to be, put in, and some napping to do. He asked the Engineer why he had given a final certificate to the contractors. And why F< had he not taken steps to get that bit ar of work done? Mr Macpherson: Well, strictly I should not have passed it, but I did not like to stop their final payment as the work was so small. A man could have done the work in a \reek. EXPLANATION OF "FEES." £r Campbell stated that at a previous <j meeting of the Council Mr Macphewon i, h^d stated to Cr Foy that he would, most o likely ye an ex P^ &na^ <m °* tne "fees" n motioned' 1! aske £ to - * The Engineer » . ' , , n Cr Campbell: Ate yon ;j e Pa™d to give h that explanation now? ri Mr Macpheavson : I was prepared at that c: time, But I am not going to do so until n I have heard this evidence. I am not h going to be caught napping. 0 The Mayor (to Mr Macpherson): "I & think you- are taking up a wrong position. n This Council does not wdnt to- entrap you C i at all ; it, simply wants a plain unvarni&h- ti ed statement of facts. You say yon are T perfectly innocent and can clear up the o matter; why not do so?" g In reply to Cr Campbell, the Engineer a said the metal for Egtmonfc street (Brown i road) was (never charged to the borough, g He paid \ihe railage, which was ch&Bged j against the contractor, j. Keplying to a n'Sation from Cr Whit- c tingU*^ \ h& Engineer said he was pretty c ( positive that the road wars 12 feet wide, j > not llft'oin as had been stated. Answer- < r ing the Mayor, Mr Macpherscxn. said he i t kept a tally of all the metal arriving, > The metal came dowai with that for the ■ . boundary road, but he always kept a ] f check as to which was for Glover road and « I which for the Egmont street. r The Mayor : You are absolutely con- ' [ fident that the full quantity is on Egmont 1 street? ' ; r The Engineer : Yes, there is more than b the full quantity. t The Mayor : lam sorry Mr Climie is not here to-night. He had seen that 9 gentleman in the train that afternoon and had put some questions to him, B which he thought was only proper. He ,_ asked Mr Climie whether he considered the metal was of fair average quality for j machine-broken metal. Mar Climie rej_ plied yes. Again he *sk"ed what thS amount of the deficiency would be, and Mr Climie calculated it at £15. He also * ->d : As the road Had no "traffic on it flgj^ that affect the blinding detrimentwooS;* • ' r Climi© replied to -the effect afry? x - ** A had been open the blindihat it ,*? * B * U . IM /" | a in a worse oondi&g tram d 5* ye tSfl. r Olimie if he thcmU Me zv would, ii condition- wa* Uetween ih.& Engineer suggest coll\isk TfS> Mr climie coneiderand the contract '^ tne oanouint was so cd it caaralessJKeßJF} no £ have been small oollusi6n' wbk made worth wnJDsv 'Macpherson) : When The Mayor (to Me \ , ou considered the you passed that rocud!-J ■», blinding very bad: iiwfeeia. ' '^ved it the The Engineer : I com» , u t on. The worst blinding you couK? \. me as that blimding was exactly the *&. Glover which was Best placed upon * road. •," the With reterence to ' the "feew, ""lessra Mayor said th«it the books of k 'ng: Pikett and Wilkk showed 1 tie lo3<m. ' 6, June, 1907, £11; June 15, £15; Jaly v * £5 ("Hawera" fees); Auguat 15, (thai also is marked fees). The total was £44. He noticed, too, that on June 3 t. there was an item, Hcvwera, wages £26 ca 4s 9d, plus *xchang« 4s 6d. as Th« Engiotieer, replying, said the ih amounts of £11 and £15 respectively ti were returns of money lent to pay wages with. The £26 4s 9d was money he re- tli ceived from Mr Pikett with which to it pay wages. The item — July 6, £5, Ha- it wera fees— was in the same category as ti the others. He could not explain why' at Pikeit used the words "fees." of The Mayor: When,. you lent Mr Pikett ta money did- you have any acknowledg- th mont. - w The Engineer : No. I did not think It n< was necessary. r ai Cr Campbell : At the time you lent the hi money you were engineer <to the Coun- w cil?— Yes. Cr Campbell : Did you handle £60 15s, hi balance of payment on Brown.'. Estate's * c contract? — Yes. I ,put ,it through my banking account. The cheque was" cash- J a ed for wages, etc. > Part of it, went 'to tl .New Plymouth. He only-received £6 .0r & £V out of that cheque. , f .-j - ** Cr Campbell: Would you *b# surprised $ that the full amount went to the tru&teeß? al - The . Enginioer : I know 'as a matter of .' Jbct that* some of it was paid for wages. " He' explained that -he was "out"*,witfi w Pikett and Wilkie. over ; thaf- .Egmont street contract. " , , The Mayor said that as tEe trustees in w Now Plymouth • insisted on receiving 'the .P' full amount the difference was "probably *f made up and the amount pawl in full.' 2. Cr Hurrell : AparHrom any money ad- j: ' vanced, how much did ,yoti- make .on Ep- ■ mont street?— The Engineer; I think £18 F 7b. . m Cr Buroall: When did you do the w work? . - , b

jng il or%lse late in the afternoon.. Was dot out on the work between- 9 -and 4. iCr Campbell: Any other payments or earnings ? The Engineer: No. ■ Cr Campbell : Pretty certain of that? The Engineer: Yes. Mr Brown, junr. (who was present by invitation) repeated a conversation he had had; with the Engineer with respect to a complaint regarding the size oi some metal. The Engineer promiied to send a couple of men to fix it up. Cr Campbell thought they w6uld vprobably get at the bottom of the bueiness r were they to go into committee. This' was agreed to. There was- la very lengthy dlscussion, A and. the points "at- issue were "tEord'ughly ' examined by question and answer. Ffiial-" Cr 'Foy moved — That - seeing the Borough Engineer' has .passed Egmont street -when he knew 'certain work had net .been done,, the B^rfo^gh Engineer b^ called upon jto bEmdiind nap the roa^^flie satis-, r f*ctiqn /of the engineer (M^ CUmJe) | 'called^ in "by this Council," at his' 1 /] cost, bo as- to/^ivie^r^asonabTe. ' r coinplianoe with the' 'cfytfxa&p. ,, r Tbjß. r 'wae seconded by !! 'Cr^ampbjell and carriedi. For : The Mfiyoir/ Crs Mo? r ; rissey, Foy,/Boyd, 'Whittington> Campbell, and Wilkitffioa. Against :- Crs Hur-; rellsand Pacey. ; . t 5 .■: Cr Foy moved — That having now heard the Engineer's explanation as to the payments which have passed between the contractors (Pikett fund Wilkie) and the Engineer, the Council are satisfied with same. Seconded by Cr Hurrell and carried. For : The Mayor, Crs Foy, Boyd, Hnrrellj. and Wilkinson. Against: Crs MorrisseyJ Whittington, Campbell, atwl Pacey.