BOROUGH AND COUNTY COUNCIL CONFERENCE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 657, 22 March 1879, Page 2

BOROUGH AND COUNTY COUNCIL CONFERENCE.

At the adjourned meeting of the County and Borough Councils, held yesterday at 3 o'clock m Townley's buildings, there were present : Councillors J. W. Johnson, (Chairman), and S. Locke, on behalf of the County, and Captain T. W. Porter (Mayor), Councillors Smith, Adair, and Morgan, represented the Borough. The Chairman, said that at previous meeting of the Conference, a resolution was passed instructing the engineers of both bodies to furnish a joint report on certain points relating to the construction of a line of tram from Gisborne to Ormond. The report had been prepared and would be submitted to the Conference. He had also got the opinion of their counsel respecting the 1 ' Tramway's Act, " and the powers which the County authorities had of constructing a tram on the public road. The following j report from the Borough and County Engineers was read by Mr. J. W. Winter :— Cook County Council Office, Gisborne, March 20, 1879. Sir, — In reply to the queries forwardEd for our consideration " re construction of Tram" we have the honor to submit the following report : — Query 1. Power to make permanent line along main road. The above question has been referred to the County Solicitor. Query 2. Probable cost of a temporary versus permanent line. We are of opinion that the difference of cost as between a temporary and permanent way would amount to about one-third m excess of the cost of the former over that of the latter. The difference m cost being principally m the saving of ballast and other permanent works, and we would strongly lecommend the laying down of a permanent way with corresponding Rolling Stock. Query 3. How long 281 b rails would wear, and what weight of engine could be run. Assuming that a good permanent way is laid down, sleepers say 2ft. 6in. apart, well-ballasted and secured, and taking into consideration

the easy gradient to be obtained on the line, we are of opinion that with ordinary wear and tear the rails will be serviceable for from eight to ten years. The weight of engine should not exceed from ten to twelve tons. Query 4. — Should the line run along centre or side of road. We are of opinion that the line should be laid along the centre of the road. (1. ) To enable goods to be discharged on either side ; and, also, for the convenience of ordinary traffic, so that each vehicle may be drawn on the proper side. (2.) The permanent way could be made available for the formation and metalling of the main and other roads, as the same would be laid at the proper levels, and metal and soil could be discharged from the sides. Query s.— Where termini 1 One terminus would be at Ormond, somewhere near Mr. Buchanan's hotel, and one near the Wharf — Read's Quay. The quantity of rails delivered would, when laid, extend for a distance of sixteen (16) miles — exclusive of those required for the tram from the quay — which have already been delivered on the ground. Sleepers of totara or puriri can be obtained from various parts of the Colony, such as Napier, Auckland, East Coast, &c, at a cost varying from £12 to £15 per hundred. In recommending the line to belaid along the main toad we have done so on the following grounds : — 1st — We consider it would afford the greatest amount of accommodation to the public. 2nd — It would do away with the necessity for land purchases which would otherwise have to be made. 3rd — The metalling of the road could be done at the least possible cost, and m carrying put the works, we would beg to suggest that tenders be called for metalling the road, the contractoa to have the use of the rails, he being bound down to lay the tram according to plans and specifications, and leave the same m good working order at the completion of his contract. A sum to be agreed upon to be deducted for ordinary wear and tear. Without sufficient .data, and at a rough calculation we estimate the cost of laying the permanent way and providing rolling stock, at about £1,300 per mile. We have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient Servants, John Drttmmond, Town Surveyor. Geo. J. Winter, County Engineer. To the Chairman of the Cook County Council. In reply to Councillor Locke, Mr. G. J. Winter the County Engineer, stated that he estimated the cost of laying down a permanent line with rolling stock consisting of 2, 32 tons engines, 4 passenger cars, 8 trucks and six platforms, at £1300 per mile, with the tressle-work which would be required at the dip on the road near Ormond, he thought the extra cost per mile spread over the whole distance would amount to £60, making a total cost of £1360 per mile. Councillor Locke said that if they could get it done at that price, it would be the cheapest constructed line m New Zealand and they might, as they had rails sufficent to cover 16 miles, carry it beyond Ormond to Kaiteratahi. His idea was, that it should be a permanent line, and a part of a scheme for opening up the interior of the country. He wished the public to be impressed with this idea and to abandon the stereotiped view which had got hold of their minds, that a local work only was m contemplation. They had here large tracts of land, which would become most valuable if they had proper communications with all parts. The money question, of course, would have to be cousidered but he did not think there would be any difficulty m obtaining a loan if the Borough and County were united m the matter. Councillor Morgan was of opinion that the Hue should not stop at Ormond, but be procceeded with as far as Scott's crossing. There were no engineering difficulties — the whole of the route being nearly a dead level, and according to calculations based on the report, the cost of the whole would not exceed £20,000. He agreed with Councillor Locke that a permanent line be laid down, and that the construction and metalling of the road be on after consideration, when they would have better facilities m obtaining the metal, and the work m consequence, done much cheaper. The Chairman said that he was m favor of the Engineers recommendations, but the money difficulty would first have to be got over. The County had funds, but it would require all they had to metal the Gisborne-Ormond road. They might certainly get a loan, but ratepayers would have to be consulted, and it was doubtful whether they would sanction it. The taxes raised at present fall pretty severely on ratepayers, amounting altogether to 12^ per cent. — viz. , 2£ for special loan, 5 per cent, for County rates, and 5 per cent, for highrates. Councillor Smith would advocate the raising of a separate loan. There was, no doubt, that this line would pay far more than interest on money borrowed. It would be cheaply constructed, and afterwards economically maintained. If both bodies were united, they might easily get a loan on their guarantee, and the funds of the county might be devoted to other important work. Captain Porter agreed with Councillor Locke that the whole of the back country should be opened up, and that the present project be part of a well-considered scheme, having that object m view. The cost of the proposed line is" very moderate, and he had no doubt that if the two Councils united that even £100,000 could be got at reasonable terms ; but the loan should be raised under special arrangements, and the ratepayers consulted. He would compliment the Engineers on the report furnished by them. It was then moved by Captain and Councillor Porter, seconded by Councillor Smith, and carried, " That m the opinion of this Conference, having m view the requirements of the district, and borne out m their opinions by the report of their Engineers, that a permanent railway be laid down." Legal Point. Councillor Locke said he wished to be satisfied on the legal point as to whether the County had power under the Tramways Act to carry a line on the main

roads. At the last meeting it was decided that the Attorney-General be communicated with. This had not been done, and it was very important to hare the required information immediately. The Chairman then read counsel's opinion, which was to the effect . that there was no special clause m the Tramways Act, 1872, affecting the question, but that the Governor m Council had power to grant whatever privileges were required by local authorities, with the consent of the ratepayers. . After this point had been fully discussed by the Conference, it was resolved, on the motion of Councillor Locke, " That the Attorney-General be consulted re power to take the line on County roads, and that Mr. Blacket's opinion on professional matters be obtained.

All other questions m connection with the Engineers report, viz., whether the line should be laid m the centre or side of road, the terminus, &c. , were then fully entered into, and referred to the decision of the committee subsequently appointed.

Railway Committee.

It was resolved, on the motion of Councillor Locke, that a committee be appointed, consisting of Councillors Porter, Graham, Adair, Smith, Morgan, and the mover, with power to call for assistance from all officers of either Council m preparing information re legal, engineering, and financial points. The Conference adjourned to Friday, April 4th, at three o'clock.