DISPUTE OVER ROLLER.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16121, 9 May 1923, Page 8

DISPUTE OVER ROLLER.

PAYING FOR REPAIRS.

Hiring a road roller from another local body is not always so simple as it would appear to be, especially when there is a dispute alter the machine has been returned. The Mangapapa Town Board towards the end of last year hired a, roller and tar syrayer from the Waikohu County Council. There has been a dispute over the settlement of accounts.

The matter was again referred to at a meeting of the Town Board last evening. The clerk read the following letter from the County Council; "Niven and Co.'s account, item £l3 10s 9d. The Council sees no reason why it should be charged at overtime rates, as it was for the Board's convenience that the urgency was required. Item £22 ss: The Council recognises no liability whatever for this item, as the work was necessitated owing to wear and tear to the plant, which had been in the Board's service for months when the repairs were carried out. I have also to state that the plant when returned by the Board was in a much, depreciated condition. The tar sprayer was leaking at many of the joints, and was generally in need of overhaul. The roller was also in bad order, there being no compression in one cylinder, one. back-axle had been badly fired owing to inattention to lubrication, the frame was bent, both rear axle adjusting rod castings were broken, and the machine was generally in bad order. I am directed to say that the Council will consider the question of a reduction in the charge for hire when the Board has paid the cost of putting the plant in good order after its return to the Council." i

The chairman said that he had been tokl| when the sprayer arrived that it was in a very bad condition. The roller, when received from the Council, had been taken down, and it was noticed that tho lubrication had been neglected. It had taken three days to bring the -roller from Te Karaka, ho stated.

Messrs. Niven and Co.. who repaired the roller, reported that upon arrival in Gisborne it was thoroughly overhauled. It was in a bad condition and a groat deal had to be done to it before it was fit for use. In regard to the tar sprayer, the report showed that the machine was very leaky. The leakage must have been going on for some time, as in places the tar was two inches thick where it had leaked. The Council had undertaken to hire the roller in good working order, said tho chairman. , A short discussion ensued, and it was eventually decided to consider the matter fully at a special meeting- of the Board to be held on Thursday.