TIMARU AND GLADSTONE BOARD OF WORKS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 815, 21 October 1872, Page 4 (Supplement)

TIMARU AND GLADSTONE BOARD OF WORKS.

Tho Board met on October 2. Present : Messrs P. B. Luxmooro (Chairman), Hall, Purkor, Kntherfonl, Purring, Heuloy, Hayhurst, Cliff, and Dr Fisher. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. TIMARU AND TEMUKA RAILWAY/. The following letter was read : — : Public Works Office, Wellington, September 19, 1872. Sir,— l am directed by tho Hou Mr Reid to acknowledge tho receipt of your letter of tho 9th inst, calling attention to a resolution passed by the Timaru and Gladstone Board of Works, on the 7th of that month, m reference to the construction of the Timaru and Temuka railway, and to inform you m reply that the working eitrvrys as far as the Orari have been made, and tho plans aro now being prepared by the Resident Engineer. I have, &c, John Knowles, Under Secretary. The Secretary of tho Timaru and Gladstone Board of Works. . BANGITATA BRIDGE. The following correspondence "was read : — Telegram from the Secretary for Public Works, as follows : — Christchurch, Sept. 5. Rangitata bridge : Provincial Government wil provide for payment of lowest tender (for approaches) if accepted by Board. Walter Kennattay. From the same, as follows : — Public Works Office, Christchurch, Sept. 18, 1872. Sib, — I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the sth inst, and m reply 1 beg to etate that, with reference to the Temuka bridge, the Government concur m the action taken by the Timaru and Gladstone Board of Works. With respect to the Kungitata bridge, the Government note the acceplance of tenders for tho approaches to the bridge, for the sum of £1049 16a 4d, being (or tho northern aide, £990 9s lOd, and for the southern side, £59 6s 6d. . , The Government concur m tho acceptance of tho tenders, presuming that the works included therein would be all that would bo required to make tho bridge immediately available for dray traffic. The prosecution of any further works iv connection with the bridge which depend for their payment on Provincial funds should be postponed until after the session of the Provincial Council, as tho Government are not m a position to sanction any further expenditure m that behalf. With reference to the immediate payment of the whole amount of the contract over to the Board of Works, the Government would prefer, if the Board have no objection, to pay m such instalments as, and when required under tho terms of the contract. I have, &c, : WaliTeu Kennajvat, Provincial Secrelary. Tho Chairman of the . . Timuru and Gladstone Board of Works. Telegram from his Honor the Superintendent, asking tho Chairman if the Board had m their possession any manufacturers' reports as to strength of RangUata bridge, if so, to forward them. To the telegram, a memo by the Secretary to the Board was appended, stating that he had forwarded a copy of Mr Blythe's report on testing the girders, specifications of ironwork and account ofßatisiitata bridge iv the Timaru Herald of 9th September. Letter from the Hon Mr Stafford's private secretary, acknowledging receipt of copy of Mr Blair's report on Eangitata bridge, and promising the most careful consideration of tho Government to this important question. A similar acknowledgement was received from the seorelary to the Miuister for Public Works. ■ •■■ Letter? from the Tinder-secretary to the Minister of Public Works, asking for certain reports on the Rangitata bridge, m order to enable the Minister to comply with a resolution of the Legislative Council, ordering the same to be laid on the table of that House. In reference to the approaches to this bridge, the chairman said it would be as well if the Board passed a formal resolution accepting the tender of Alphasus Hays, for although Mr Bubington had been instructed to proceed with the works, there was no record on the minutes of the acceptance of the tender. Mr Mendelson moved, Mr Hayhurst seconded, and it was resolved: — "That the Board do accept Mr Hayes' tender for the Rangitata cuttings, for the sum of £1,049 16s 4d. Mr Blair's claims. The following letters received from Mr Blair, m. referenco to I»b claim for remuneration on account of engineering services m connection with the ..Rangitata bridge were read: — . Dunedin, September .14, 1872. Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the sth inst, enclosing resolution of the Timaru and Gladstone Bourd of Works, anent paying me £141 14s "for all extra services done to Rangitata bridge," and asking 'what I wished done with it. As I consider I am entitled to much more than the sum nampcl, I inteud bringing the matter before the Board at its next meeting. I cannot therefore give you a discharge m full m terms of the resolution. I. shall be glad to accept the. £l4l 14s to account, if you will agree to tho arrangement. : I ana, &c, • ' W. N. Blaib. To tho Seoretary Timnru and Gladstone Board of Works. Dunedin, September 25, 1872. Sir, — I have the honor to enclose my acconnt for professional services m connection with the Rangitata bridge, and beg to request that you will lay it before the Board at its next meeting. - . From the newspaper report of the last meeting, at which the question of my remuneration was discussed. I understand that it was solely from wnnt of funds that the request I then made was not acceded to. It is therefore unnecessary for me to make any remarks on the merits of the claim. T may, however, point out that I suffer a great hardship m being asked to accept a dividend when all the other parties connected with the work have been paid m full, and. when tho contractors, to whose dilatoriue.°s the extra cost is nttribu-. table, were not called- on to bear a share of the loss. In short, I am asked to pay the contractors' fine, although they positively declined to proceed faster with the works when ordered by me to do so. : - - : • I would also point out that I have never been informed, either directly or indirectly, as to the state of . the funds available for the bridge, consequently I am not responsible m ease of a deficiency. . With a view to assist the Board out of what seems to be a difficulty, I have prepared vouchers for the expenditure incurred m the approaches : of £276 10s. This has been erroneously charged to the bridge'instead of the approaches. Separate receipts on each side of the river will be given by Messrs Bush and Smith, who have been requested to hand them to Mr Tats. . ; In case the Board do not see another wny of getting funds, I have declined m the meantimo to take the works off Messrs Bush and Smith's hands, or to release their sureties of

the penalties for non-completion. Under the terms of the contract. I, as engineer uud sole nrbiter can impose the penalty. I wou'd be very loth indeed, to take this or any other course that would lead to anything bnt an amicable settlement of my eluiin ; still, when the contructors are both legally and equitably bound to bear the loss, I should nut hi- untied on to do it for them. By the arrangement above made, of charging i.lio approaches to the proper account, l tie Board will have £418 4a at its disposal. I shall bo very glad to accept this amount now along with an undertaking that tho balance is paid m twelve mouths. Or, I will give a receipt m full for £560. You will observe that m malting up my account, I have charged much less than the usual professional fee, and I have omitted many items that might fairly be included. It is therefore stipulated that the claim and the offers herein contained, are made witnout prejudice. I am, &c, W. N. Blaib. The Chairman Timaru and Gladstone Board of Worka. The following is an abstract of claim appended to the letter:— The Timaru and G-ladstone Board of Works iv account with W. N. Blair, O.JS. BANGITATA BIiIDGE. £ b. d. To commission on coat (19,040) at 5 percent 982 0 C To prepnring estimate and report on mode of altering bridge 21 0 0 Supervision of works after expiration of contract time, 42 days at £4 4s 176 8 C Assistant and clerk us above, 30 days at 30s 45 0 C Travelling expenses after expiration of contract time ... 48 10 C Reporting on strength of bridge 21 0 0 1,293 18 ' C CONTttA. By cash 691 0 C Balance claimed 602 18 C Mr Healef said before they went into the question ho would ask if Mr Blair had been asked to report on the bridge ? The Chaikman said that when Messrs Bell and Tancred's unfair report- came down, he thought tho Board would like a report from Mr Blair on the subject, and requested him to make one. He did nob think, however, he would have charged for it, for it was to his owu interest to make 6uch a report. lie might mention that his (the Chairman's) action m applying for the report had been upproved by tho Board ut i's last meeting. A lengthy discussion "ensued on the letters, the Chairman, for the information of the Board, reading the correspondence which had passed between it and Mr Blair since his connection with. the Rungitiitu bridge. No decision whs arrived at, although the general impression seemed to be that the offer as made by the Board at its last nipeltiug was sufficiently liberal, and strong disapproval was expressed at the tone of tho sejond letter, which was deemed to bo quite uncalled for. The discussion was iuterupted by the adjournment foi luncheon. On the Boar V resuming Mr Parker moved, Mr Hail seconded, and it was resolved — " That the Chairman do take a legal opinion on the subject of the Board's liability to Mr Blair." THE GOVEIINIIENT LANDING SERVICE. A letter was read from Messrs Hill, Simpson, and Graham, lessees of the Service, as follows :— Timaru, Oct.. 2nd, 1872. Gentlemen, — We beg to solicit the assistance- of the Board m carrying out the undermentioned improvements to the Government Landing Service, by supplying timbei for same, and we will undertake to curry out the labor part of the work : — Tl.o accompanying sketch shows the present formation of the beach m. front of landing shed, which has accumulated to suuh an extent as to render, the permanent ways (laid down some time ago for the purpose of launching the boats) entirely useless, consequently, we have had to resort to the expedient of laying down temporary ways, built on the permanent ways at a higher elevation, as shown m sketch, without which, we are unable to launch the boats off the beach. But, unfortunately, we have only sufficient timbei to lay ways m one of the bays, so that lln other two are quite useless for launching purposes, as it takes two or three hours to gel an empty boat afloat out of either of them, and to launch a laden boat is impossible The deity, extra expense, and inconvenience to us m carrying on the work m consequence of this is very considerable, and has frequently been the cause, lately, of work being diverted to Ihe other* landing Bervice, which we have hud the option of doing, thereby entailing loss to us. Should the Board decida to supply the timber for this very urgent improvement tc the service, the amount required will be about 5000 feet. We have, &0., Hill, Simpson. and Graham. To the Chairman and Members Timaru and Gladstone Board of Wbi-ks. Mr Pbrri.no moved Mr Parker seconded, and it was resolved, — "That the engiuen examine the ways yf tbe landing she' l, and if he think the recommendation of the lessees he necessary to facilitate the landing and shipping of goods, the lessees he authorised to expend the amount required for the timber." engineer's eeport. The following synoptical report from the Engineer to the Board on works iv progress, was read: — Timaru, October 1, 1872. Sir, — I have the honor to make the following report; O n the progress of the Saltwater .Creek bridge, and other works at present under- my churge. Mr Mußap, the contractor for the Saltwater creek bridge, signed the contract bond on the 15th May, binding him to complete the contract within four months from the date oi signing the bond. The works were not actually commenced on the ground until the 20th June, at which time Mr Annand, the inspector, commenced his duties. I feel it my duty, though an unpleasant one, to state that the works have not been carried out with sufficient energy, and that, m consequence, an increased expense of wages to the inspector has been entailed upon the Board. On excavating for the foundations for the stone abutments and wings at the northern side, I found it necessary, owing to the unsound and Unequal nature of the material, to sink considerably deeper than I hud anticipated; and I also deemed it necessary, or at any rate prudent, to put m a foundation layer of corcrete. At the southern abutment I had also to take out the abutment deeper than originally contemplated, and thought it wise to curry up dry rubble walling inside the abutment and wings, as provided for m the supplementary schedule attached to the contract. The raaßonry has been well carried out, and is fir advanced towards completion. Great credit is due to the careful inspection of Mr Annand. : A portion of the ironwork is on the ground; all the piles, braces, clamps, and caps, the painting of which with anti-corrosive, paint is now being proceeded with. To the kindness of Mr Tailored, the Dis-

i trict Engineer, and Mr Thornton, the Provin- : ciul Engineer, I am indebted for certain necessary alterations m the construction of the girders, caused by v deficiency iv the market of a portion of the sizes of the iron specified. Due notice will be given before the closing • of the present bridge for traffic, and the necessary repairs of the beach road hear the cemetery, will be immediately effected. I would wish to mention that the con- . tractor lias labored under considerable dilli- ; culty m obtaining skilled masons, owing to the briskness of t.he building trade • BASOITATA. BRIDGE APPROACHES. i The contractor for this work commenced operations on or about the 16th September, ' and from what I can judge, intends to carry ; it through honestly and with energy. I A s soon as he is ready to commence the concrete i. culvert and pile bridge, an inspector must be : on the ground, and I cannot recommend a i more suitable man (or the appointment than Mr Aiinuud, the present inspector of the Saltwater Creek bridge, who, together with Mr Ross, of Timaru, built the abutments of the llaiiuiliitu bridge. TOMAlr's CKKEK, OK TEMCEA KIVER. With regurd to ihe bridge intended to be 3 erected over Tommy's creek or the Teniuka river, I have to inlurm you that the designs and Bpecifieatious are iv course of progress, aud I hat I am iv communication with the Provincial Engineer on the subject. ) My advices from Lytiolton and Dunedin inform me Unit, no iron bark piles are to be obtained. A sufficient quanrity of jarrah, or ) Western Australian mahogany is, however, to be had at a certain price of the required sizes and lengths. ) I have had no personal experience m the use of this timber, but from the opinions of ) recognised qualified authorities I gather that jarrali is little, if anything inferior to iron- ) bark. I have written on this mutter to the ) Provincial Engineer, from whom I expect. . shortly to hear. The use of Dative, timber us ) piles m such a river as the l'euiuku would, I think be very unwise. ) The only wood suitable for the purpose is either toturii- or black pine, both of them very ) free und short m grain, and consequently, not ; calculated to stand heavy und continuous i driving. If the heads do not split and burst, I believe that the foot of the pile fre- ] quently sponges up instead of penetrating, as 3 it apparently does on the blow of the ram. ) In conclusion, allow me to call your atten- , lion to the understanding that existed m the 3 Board at their last meeting, that lenders 3 for this bridge would njt be called fur ut this t date. I iiicnlio'i this, as the report of the i last proceedings of the Board has probably [ led people to expect tenders to have been invited. I have, &c', G. M. Babington, 1 Engineer to Board of Works, i To the Chairman of the 3 Timaru uud Gladstono Board of Works, i [[Appended to 'he report was an extract of ; a letter from the Provincial Engiueer, reporti ing that the girders (or the Saltwater Creek 1 bridge were nearly ready, and would be fori warded from Christcliui-ch at once.] GRANT IN AID OF LKVELS KOAD BOARD. r Mr Hall applied for a special grant m aid of the funds of the Levels Hoail Board, out of the unallocated portion of the funds nc- \ cruiug from land sale? m the district under 3 the operation of the Board of Works Act. j He supported his claim ou the ground that the Levels Road Board had a large extent of main road to maintain, between the Temnka and the Pareora, and that the Board was 3 really not iv a position to put it iv repai . The traffic on this main road came principally from districts outside the Levels, and it was on this account; that he applied for this special grant. He stated that only the other [ day the B.iard had had to refuse a very reasonable contract for works on the Norfclr- [" road beyond the Washdyke, owing to want of lunds, and stated further that his B iard had during the last two aud a half years, expended b out of their funds about £2600. He thought ' that when the Buard took into consideration J the very heavy traflic ou the main roads m the Levels district, that when he only asked ' for £300 oub of the grant for laud sales ' they would consider his request a very " moderate one and he rather surprised that 3 he did not ask for more. If his Board did s not get some assistance he was afraid that " they would be compelled to erect toll bars m ' order to get funds to maintain the roads. '" They all knew the state of the mads last ' year, and if something was not done this • year there would lie no getting grain into k Timaru at all. H* begged to move, — "That > the amount of t'3oo out nf'the surplus fund • from land sales be granted to the Levels 3 Road Board, m aid of the main road from J i'emuka. to Pareora-. 7 Dr Fisher seconded the motion. 1 Mr Hall m reply to a question from Mr s Hiiyhurst said he wanted this grant paid out ! of t.he surplus before d : rision, as an extra grant to the Levels Road Board. 3 Mr Heale? said thi*. matter depended alto--3 gether ou th*s outside members; it was for t them to say whether the grant should be made. Dr Fisher agreed with the resolution, as the expenditure was for the. benefit of the whole of the districts. It was necessary that something should be done to the roads, for la3t year there were no roads at all, they were r airnply quagmires. I ifclr AIKNDBLsorr opposed the grant, and obi jected to giving one l&oud Board a preference 1 over another. I Mr HAYHirnsTsaid he should be inclined to i support the resolution, if there was any certainty that the money would not be used merely to en?e the Levels of a portion of 3 their expenditure on main roads, so us to enable them to expend more money on byeroads. If such a guarantee was given he should be inclined to support the motion. Mr Pekring said that, substantially, lie ' ngreed with Mr Hall's motion, and was willt ing to give Ihe sum he usked for, but he desired to bind the Board to expend it near the i" districts from whence it was derived, and to 5 expend a certain amount south as well as • north. For thin reason, he moved an amendf nient — " That v sum of £150 be grauted to the Levels Road Board, on condition that a l like sum be provided by the Levels Hoad i Board, and the total expended on Main road I south of Timaru to Pareora, and that a further sum of £150 be granted to the Levels ; Road Board to be spent only on the Main i North road." He had put no conditions on , the North road grant, as Mr Hall had Btated s that hi 3 Board was already expending money 1 ou that portion of the road." Mr Paekee Becouded the amendment, ' which was put and agreed to, the original i resolution being therefore lost. Mr Hall moved, Mr Parker seconded, and 1 it was resolved—" That the voles m aid of the Levels 'Road Board bs paid over on receipt of a resolution passed by the Board • that t key will agree to the terms of the grant." : ' HE JIT/NEE ATION OP SECRETARY. A letter was read from the Secretary to the 1 Board, pointing out the large amount of work and responsibility attached to his office, and ' applying for an iucrease of salary. The Secretary retired during the discussion • on his application. ■ Dp Pishek moved, and Mr Healey seconded ' — "Thutabonus of fifty, pounds- be paid to the Secretary of the Timaru and Gladstone Board of Works for his services during the past year." Mr Cliff moved, and Mr Parker seconded the following amendment, which was carried — " That the Secretary's salary be increased

to one liunflred pounds per annum, (he same to date- from his appointment us secretary •" the Board, viz, Junuiry 1, 1872; anil il'ai the balance due ut that rate bo paid over to him." PCTBLIC WOHK3 IX TUB DISTKICT. Mr Healev, ill the course of the meeting, took an opportunity of drawing the Board's attention to the number of votes for works m the district lying unexpended m the Provincial chest, owiug to the amounts being insufficient to carry out any of the works for which they were voted. There were £5000 for the Waimute railway, £5000 for the W.iihnu bridge, £5000 for the Pareora bridge, £3000 for the Timaru water race, ami £500J for the Point railway ; total, £23,000, It would be better for the Board, rather than to allow this money to continue to be locked up, to recommend the Provincial Council, m re-voting it, to vote it m such sums as would allow one or two of these works to be properly carried out. If the Board madp such a recommendation, and it whs backed by the soutliTn member? m the Council, it would be carried out, and he intended at the present meeting to hand m a notice of motion, so that the Board could discuss the subject at its next meeting. The other members expressed concurrence m the views expressed by Mr Henley, who, at the close of the meeting, handed m the following notice of motion : — " That this Board take into consideration the advisability of recommending to the Provincial Government the construction of one or more works for which certain suni3 have been voted by the Provincial Council." PATITEXT3. The lollowiii'; accounts were passed for p-eyment : — Inspector Annaud, (.-SaltwaterCreek bridge), £56 ; Inspector of material at UhriMtchurch, £12 -; Mcßratuey (Opihi bridge), £1 10s. MB BLAIR'S CI/AIHS. In reference to Mr Blair's claims, it was suggested that the Board should meet n xt day aud decide them, to which MrMendelson andothers objected. He moved and Mr Healey seconded, — ll Tliat Mr Blair's claims be considered at the next regular meeting of ths Board." Mr Hall who remarked that he thought that the matter ou«ht to be at once disposed of, moved and Mr Parker seconded, — "That the consideration of Mr Blair's claims be adjourned until to-morrow at noon." On the amendment being put live including the chairman voted for, and five against it; a similar thing occurred on the original resolution being put. As the Act gives the chairman no casting vote m addition to the original vote, neither of the motions was carried. At the close of the meeting however a motion to adjonru till next day was assented to:

The Board met again on the following day. Present : Tlie Chairman, Messrs Parker, I Hall, Perring, Healey, and Kutherford. MR BLAIR'S CLAIMS. The following letter fruin the Solicitor to the Board was read : — Timaru, 3rd October, 1872, Sin, — I am clearly of opinion that Mr Blair the engineer to the Hangitata bridge, is only legally entitleri to receive from the Board live per cent, commission ou the total cost of the bridge for his services, including plans, specifications, supervision and inspection. I am &.C., A. Perry. The Chairman Timaru and Gladstone Board of Works. , Mr Healey movttd : — "That this Board refuse to entertain Mr Blair's application for £602 184, m settlement of his claim on account of itaugitata bridge. But, whilst denying that Mr Blair hns any claim, the Board adhere to their resolution of Sept 4th, viz, that £141 14s bo paid to Mr Blair for all extra services done to the Rangitata bridge, llrnt this offer is made without prejudice." In moving the resolution, Mr Henley said that the amount mimed covered all Mr Blair could be entitled to, and it was arrived at us follows : — The bridge occupied 86 weeks m construction ; deducting 17 weeks, the contract time, left 69 weeks, for which extra period the Inspector had to be paid. He (Mr Healey) had been informed by competent authorities that such a bridge could not possibly have been constructed m less than nine months, especially m a colony where a large amount of labor was not available. For under-estimnt-iug the time, then, 'the Engineer was himself responsible, and should be made to bear half the extra expense of inspection, i.e., half of 69 weeks, cay 34 weeks, at £5 10s per week, the Inspector's salary, making £187. He proposed, then, to pny Mr Blair 5 per cent commission on £20,213 total actual cost of bridge, amounting to £1010 13a; £187, supervision for 34 weeks.; two reports, £42; total, £1239 13s; less £1098 paid on account, leaving a balance of £141 13s, or a shilling less than the amount offered by the Board at the laso meeting. Mr Paekeu, m seconding the resolution, said they had given the matter very careful consideration, and he thought had dealt with it m a liberal spirit. In carrying out their duty to the public he did not see that they could do more than they had done. The motion, on being put was carried unanimously. The Board then separated.