PURCHASE OF GRADER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27112, 21 June 1949, Page 6

PURCHASE OF GRADER

DECISION REAFFIRMED PORT CHALMERS BOROUGH “Although the need for grading has become more and more evident, I consider that the solution reached by our Works Committee Is the wrong one,” said Cr L. G. Crawford at the monthly meeting of the Port Chalmers Borough Council last night, when he moved that the decision to purchase a grader should be rescinded. The cost to the borough If a new grader was bought, Cr Crawford said, with repayment of the money borrowed plus interest, as well as labour and depreciation, would be £2 an hour. “ The cost of hiring a grader, however, would amount to 24s an hour according to my figures,” he said. “Allowing 800 hours a year,” he continued, “ the Borough Council would be involved In a loss of £2OO annually, and we cannot afford that.” Grading was only a “ stop-gap,” Cr Crawford maintained, as the ultimate objective of the council should be to have permanent tar-seaied roads. “In the meantime, therefore, I think we should use the less expensive alternative,” he concluded, ” especially as there is some prospect that the West Harbour borough, which has purchased a grader, will meet us on the matter.”

Seconding the motion, Cr H. Williamson said that the figures as presented must throw an entirely different complexion on the views councillors held. " I admit that I have altered my opinion as expressed at the last meeting, but it would be a bad thing for the borough if councillors are not prepared to do that.” he added

Cr Campbell said that he also was in favour of the new motion but claimed that the position had not been put clearly at the previous meeting. Cr H. S, Watson suggested that the Green Island borough.be approached with an offer of joint purchase in its proposed grader, but the Mayor, Cr T. Anderson, refused to accept the amendment as the required notice had not been given Speaking against the motion, the Mayor said that work done by a hired grader was often done hurriedly as the owner wished to have his machine. “We have a staff of four to-day where we had 10 before In a smaller borough," he said, " and we must have machines to make up for this deficiency." The chairman of the Works Committee, Cr J- G. Forgie, said that every avenue had been explored and he was convinced that the committee's decision was the right one. In his reply, Cr Crawford said that there was possible friction with West Harbour, but he was not satisfied that a ‘ real ” attempt to solve their mutual problems had been made. The motion was then put, but was lost on a show of hands.