THE DRAINAGE WORKS

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13888, 27 April 1909, Page 6

THE DRAINAGE WORKS

A BJSPLY TO CRITICISMS. At last night's meeting of tho Borough Council the Mayor referred to a statement made by a candidate seeking election to the Council relative to the underground drainage scheme and Mr Ornigie said that the candidate had made some rash and wild statements. He did not know where tho candidate had obtained his information but it had evidently come from some interested party. This however, did not alter, the fact that it was incorrect. So far there was no sign of the scheme costing more than it was estimated to cost, and as to supervision, he thought it better to make, sure that the work was done in a proper manner, than to try to save a few pounds, and risk the chance of getting inferior work. Experts who had any knowledge of tho scheme, agreed in stating that it was a credit to Timsiru, and that they had seen no scheme in which the details were better carried out.

Instructed by tlio Mayor, Mr Marchant wrote to the Council on the 24th, some observations on statements made by Mr Sinclair, re the Queen street gully sewer, and "alterations" in the contract. In some cases the original lino had been departed from to avoid difficulty with objecting property owners. One such case occurred between Hose street and Town Belt. This deviation started at Bft. lOin.; 2}- chains in it was 13ft. siu.; at 4* chains, 4ft. 4in., and at the Belt 7ft lin. deep. So much for the "14ft." depth. The gully sewer is about 40 chains long, and the . average depth of trenching is not more than 6ft. 6in., including the deepest part near Rose street. The contract provided for an average of 4ft. Gin., with a large amount extra for additions to depth of trenching where- required. A depth of 12ft. was allowed for at tho filled in street crossings, and that was the actual depth within an inch or two. Possibly tho whole, of the extra work rm this contract would not amount to £SO, and' against that arc the allowances for extra depth and contingencies. Tho last contract measured up £SOO below tho contract price, allowing for the sewering of Preston street not vet formed. The street gully contract was let for £50(1 less than the estimate, and it should not exceed the contract price. He expected to complete the whole for less than his original estimate, though more was beiup: done than was originally contemplated. . . ~ In a further report dated 20th Mr Marchant gave the following particulars etc. re works completed.: —Contract No. 1, Northern sewer, tank and outfall, F. Palliser and Sons' contract price £2040, actual cost £2005 ISs 4d. No. 2, street mains and side connections (Fibbes and Clyma, contract price £5252 lis lOd, value of work dono £4507 Ss lid, (Preston street cut out of contract). No. 3, Hunt and Werry s contract short length in Mam street, contract £217 12s 6d, value of work done £lB2 2s 6d. Cost of pipes and cement to be added. In every case the contract prices have been less than the estimate, except in No. 3. Regarding tho Clerks of Works, these two men arc- really hardworked, as the contract works are scattered, and sometimes a third man is really wanted. Every detail has to be watched to secure good results. .-, Mr Marchant's letters were cousiclby tho Council a very effective reTHE SOUTHERN OUTFALL. Mr Marchant also wrote submitting plans and specifications for No. 5 drainage contract—the intercepting sewer along the beach from Hays street to septic tank at tho powder magazine, including tho septic tank and sea outfall. It was advisable to get this wotk . .under wav f.s soon as possible, as the sowers in" No. 4 cannot be used un.tu i this sewer and tank are completed. The sewer pipe under tho railway is to,| he let- as a separate contract,

Plans and specifications ■ taken together show that a pipe sewer from tlio George street drain at Hayes street, running along Hayes street southwards and in a line with' that street under tho■ Harbour Board's tramline; then it continues beside that line on the seaside of it to a point nine or ten chains short of the tank site, there it crosses the tramline and runs along tho land side of it and crosses it again in the curve to reach tho tank, located between the concrete invert of Park gully and the powder magazine. Tim pipe is 90 chains long, and 38 chains of it, is to bo 10-inch and 52 of 18-inch pipe, all set in 1 to 6 concrete. Tho Council will as usual supply cement and pipes. The tank is to he 80ft. by 50ft., and is similar in construction and details to tho northern tank. Tho 12 inch castiron outfall pi»e is at, about half-tide level and will be. fixed on piles as at the northern taiik. The pipe under the railway, as abovementioned, is to be a separate job.