Thames Borough and Government Aid.

Thames Star, Volume XXX, Issue 8990, 11 February 1898, Page 4

Thames Borough and Government Aid.

„,, _ I It will bo remembered that during the recent visit of the Hon A. J Cadman, Minister of Mines and Railways, the Borough Council applied for aid for goldfields' roads within the Borough, and also for assistance in maintaining the aqueducts which carry off the County water and mining debris. In this connection thefoUowing letters, addressed by the Town Clerk to the Minister were read amongst the outward correspondence at the meeting of the Council held last evening:— " I have the honor on behalf of the Oounoil to apply to you for a grant towards assistingin metalling the goldfields'roads with theßorough boundary. Theseroads have been considerably, cut up by the heavy traffic of the last year, and the Council estimate that it will require about 2000 yds of metal to be spread on these roads before the ensuing winter to keep the roads in a fit state for the traffic' The cost will be about £875. Tha Council regret to have to say that through an honest endeavor to meet the demands for goldfielda traffic and the falling off of goldfields revenue, they 'find/ themselves unable to meet this outlay without an appeal to you. They therefore respectfully request you will 1 take this application'into your most favourable i consideration and make the grant as 1 liberal as possible." The other letter deals with the aqueducts, and is as follows: — "I thaye the honor to inform Jon that in accordance with |,the arrangements made between you and the Council on the 27tk ultimo, the Council' 3 Foreman of Works, in conjunction with the Inspector of Mines, visited and inspected the Moanatairi and Waiotahi aqueducts and their estimate of the cost of making the necessary repairs is aa follows :— " Moanatairi aqueduct : Length, 800 feet: timber required, 29,000 feet; cost of timber, £203 14s; cost of j kbcr, etc, £175; total cost, £378 14s. From the top end of the aqueduct to the point at which the water is picked up, there is a tunnel which is used as a duct. It is in a very bad state of repair and will cost about £70 or :£BO to be put in order. The Council, however, think it much better to do away with the tunnel and erect an open flume, as it will be easier of access and much cheaper to maintain. The estimated cost of erecting the open flume is £250.' "The Waiotahi aqueduct is 1122 feet long and requires new lining boards for its whole length. The tunber will cost £78 10s 9d, and the: labor, etc., £47, the total cost being £125 lt)s 9d." The Town Clerk concludes by asking , for a Government grant, and pointing put that the aqueducts carry off material from outside the Borough boundaries.