INCREASE OVER ESTIMATES

Northern Advocate, 12 June 1936, Page 9

INCREASE OVER ESTIMATES

HIGHWAYS BOARD CONCERN

, Two letters from the chairman of ■ the District Highways Council, in • which the concern of the Main ' Highways Board “at the extraordinary increase over the estimates” was ex- • pressed in regard to the Whangarei- : Maungatapere and Kamo-Hikurangi sections of highway, were received by ’ the Whangarei County Council to-day. Dealing with the Maungatapere road, the letter stated: — “The Main Highways Board advises that they are concerned at the extraordinary increase over the estimates, and suggest that the work at present let on contract should be carried forward as long as the weather conditions this season will permit, and the whole .work should then be reviewed and suspended until further highways subsidy is approved. “It is especially- noted that that section, other than contemplated for re-sealing this season, is becoming seriously deteriorated through lack of sufficient maintenance. This section should be scarified if necessary, roughly shaped up and dressed with 2 to 3 cub. yds. per chain of one-inch metal running coat and maintained by periodical grading as normal maintenance.” Worse Than Anticipated. Cr. Hayward said that the position was a little worse than had been anticipated. It would be seen that the penetration section laid down three years ago cost £3OOO a mile, while the two miles not completed with sealing had already cost £3082 a mile. The extra amount of metal required also seemed an extraordinary thing and he could not explain it. He was sure that it was now too cold for tar sealing and he suggested that it be seen if the extra mile to be done could be done in penetration, which would make a better job of it. Sealing had yet to prove itself. It would be bad business to carry on with the remaining mile in the way that the first two miles had been prepared. The acting engineer said that extra metal would be required to bring the foundation and cants up, to the requirements of the Highways Board. The job could not be done satisfactorily with less metal. Had he been in sole charge, he would have recommended the calling of public tenders for the road and he recommended that after the two-mile peg had been reached public tenders be called for the rest of the road. The letter was received. Kamo-Hlkurangi. ! in regard to the Kamo-Hikurangi road, the chairman of the District Highways Council wrote:—

“I am in receipt of your acknowledgment regarding the expenditure and estimates to complete work on the Kamo-Hikurangi section of road, advising that the acting-engineer has been instructed to supply the necessary information.

“In like manner to similar work on the Whangarei-Maungatapere section, the Main Highways Board is greatly concerned at the increase in the original estimate. Moreover, it is particularly noted that those sections of the length that have been reconditioned are deficient in running coat. “With the completion of the formation work at present in hand, the work should be suspended, until such time as the estimates are reviewed and additional highway subsidy approved.' By this end, I would request that the metal depths be again taken throughout the total length on centre and 7ft on either side at two-chain intervals, that the estimated quantities of metal requirements may be ascertained. In the meantime, a running coat of 2 to 3 cub. yds. of one-inch metal chips per chain is required and the normal maintenance periodica] grading should be undertaken.”

The acting-engineer said it was not recommended that further depths of metal should be taken at the present time. The letter was received.