LYTTELTON ROADS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 16370, 14 October 1913, Page 8

LYTTELTON ROADS.

UP-TO-DATE SCHEME FOR THE - BOROUGH. REPORT ADOPTED BY COUNCIL. PROPOSAL TO BORROW £BOOO. A few years ago the Lyttelton'; Borough Council undertook the laying • down of an up-to-date drainage scheme, and since that time the upkeep of the roads has been a very costly item to the borough’s finances. A few weeks aga it was decided to obtain ail exhaustive report of the works necessary', and last evening the statement was laid before the Council. ' Tfie engineer, Mr Barnard, stated that the various works had been carefully gone into, and in tho case of wallbuilding he had estimated for free labour, as ho found it impossible to deal with the whole under prison labour. If tlie latter was decided on, the estimate could be reduced by about one-fourth. In estimating tho cost ho had assumed that the Council had its own crushing plant. As regards the regrading of Urossy' Terrace, this would commence at the hose reel shed and extend to Governor’s Bay Road, a distance of thirty-four chains. The average widthof the road was loft, and the estimate provided for 20ft, including a footpath. There would also be a good fall to overcome, the present trouble arising from the overflowing. of. storm-water. As regards Governor’s Bay Road, from Anderson’s corner to the Domain gates, special attention had been given to the matter of stormwater drainage. This wouldinclude a culvert of 3in by 2in eight chains and a half from Anderson's. The road, would be lowered an average of 2ft for a distance of eighteen chains from Anderson’s to the Domain gates. Tho material taken off the road would be used to fill the proposed wall opposite Captain Crawtord’s. A concrete kerb and an Bft asphalt path was also provided for and also a concrete channel on the bank side above Sandy Bay, to the concrete culvert. In regard to Loudon Street the present crown would bo considerably reduced, and would make tho road usable the full width. Norwich Quay would also have the crown of the road reduced. The remainder of the streets would not require much alteration to the crown.

In recommending the Council to adopt a system 'of tarred macadam; work in the reconstruction of the principal streets of the borough the engineer said that it would be an 'advantage in frosty weather, when the crown could bo top-dressed with screenings.: It would also reduce the present dust, n|iisanc.e. Though the initial work, would be costly the upkeep for the nrst ten years would bo practically nothing,, as very little heavy traffic went over the roads. The present system of patching would eventually render them in such a- condition that their recon-; struetion would be absolutely necessary at an early date. i The following estimates were submitted by the engineer under the heading of wall building:—Sinclair Quay,) four chains and extension, present work, £730; Godlev Quay, completion* £7O; Brittan Terrace, extension present wall, £65 and nine chains at Neville’s and Anderson’s, £265; Go-’ vernor’s Bay Road, twelve and a half chains, Andersons and Bakers Bay £520; 'Welds Road, 8| chains, £45; Cunningham Terrace, £174; Jackson’s Terrace. 41 chains, £155; Selwyn Road £188; Dublin Street, £6O; Exeter Street, 120 feet, £52; Canterbury Street, 9] chains, £335; Ripon. Street, 5£ chains, £260; St David Street, 6J chains, £155; Reserve Terrace, 5 chains, £120; Sumner Road, 41 chains, £lso} Tieehurst Road, £6O; total, £3339. The following estimates for the regrading and widening of the streets were submitted —Oressy Terraco, £440) Governor’s Bay, 271 chains, £640; r<y grading and laying down with tarred macadam. 4in thick and top-dressed, London Street, 21 ohains, £780: Nor--wich Quav, 25 chains, £875; Oxford Street, 12" chains, £396 ; Canterbury Street, 12 chains, £396; Dublin Street, 12 chains, £396; and Simeon Q.yay, 22 chains. £550. Other items including tlie erection of a. concrete storage tank for tar brought the amount up to £4886, or a total aggregate of £8225. , , The report was considered by the Works Committee recently and ' last evening the committee reported that tho whole of the work suggested had been inspected and found to be necessary. In respect of the retaining walls, the committee was of opinion that the work could be done for £2500, which was capital expenditure and from which no return would be available.. The committee was of opinion that these works were neoded and reqom-. mended that a loan of £BOOO should be submitted to a poll of ratepayers. . When the matter came up for discussion, Councillor Miller, chairman of the Works Committee, 6aid the work would be spread over a long period and tlie whole of tho money would not be required at once. The report as a whole was adopted.