QUEEN-STREET TRAMWAYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13278, 10 September 1906, Page 6

QUEEN-STREET TRAMWAYS.

TUB TRACK AND THE SEWER. Ix connection with tramway matters a lettor was received by the City Council at the last meeting, from the Tramways Company, intimating that the company would hold the city liable for all past, present, and future damage done to the tracks. in consequence of alleged neglect to provide for and under Queen-street and maintain a complete and efficient system of drainage. In reply to this the Town Clerk writes:—"l beg to inform you that your letter was duly submitted to the. .City Council on August 30 (ultimo, when I was, directed without in tny way admitting any such, alleged neglect or default to absolutely and emphatically disclaim ■•■ • any liability- on the part 'of the City Council to your company in respect of the matter mentioned in your letter. I am further directed to say that whereas the proposals submitted by you on January 27, 1905, for pile construction in Queen-street were consented to on the understanding that such form of construction would not in any way injuriously affect the street or the sewer or drains therein, or the buildings abutting thereon, and whereas you now state there is undoubtedly considerable risk, which your company declines to be responsible for, the Auckland City Council hereby gives you distinct notice that the repairs to the tramway track in Queen-street must be demo under the direction, superintendence and control of the city engineer, in terms of section 20 of the second schedule of the Tramways Act, 1894; that only 200 yards in length of the roadway must bo broken up at any one time for tho purpose of such repairs; that should the driving of any pile in any way damage ar prejudicially affect tho street or the sewer or any drains, building or other property thoron or fronting thereon, then no fulher pile driving shall take place, and that your company being now satisfied that the proposed work cannot be done without injury to tho sewer, the Council must request you to submit forthwith plans and specification of such new altered or substituted works as, whilo enabling your work 'to bo properly done, will not injure the street, " sewers, drains or buildings thereon or fronting thereon, otherwise the City Council will further consider tho matter and determine what now altered or substituted works will be" required to protect the street, sewer, drains, and buildings from injury."