BOROUGH WORKS.

Thames Star, Volume LXI, Issue 16779, 25 January 1927, Page 5

BOROUGH WORKS.

ENGINEER’S REPORT.

DOMESTIC WATER SUPPLY. QUARRY MATTERS. At last night’s, meeting of the Thames Borough Council, the Borough Engineer (Mr. J. Anderson) reported as follows: Water Supply. Maintenance works have .been carried out during the period as follow: No. 1 Section.—During the Christmas holidays the power reservoir was cleaned out, and the ground fluming was cleared of silt and weeds. High trestles in the Karaka section have been spliced and levelled up, and gorse and blackberry cut and burned. No. 2 Section.—lntakes have been cleaned, and the ground fluming cleared of silt and weeds. In the gallery section a few sets of legs have been repaired and levelled up, and' at the Maungakirikiri fluming tifilber has been repaired. Considerable work has been put in on the destruction of noxious weeds. Domestic Supply.—Owing to the heavy rainfall during the holidays a good supply of water has- been maintained, but the present dry spell is causing the Waikiekie supply to diminish quickly. The need to conserve the Waikiekie reservoir supply by shutting it down from time to time is the direct cause of the decrease in the working pressures, which is affecting the consumers on the higher levels. There is an ample supply of water in the race and large quantities are going to waste into the Waiotahi through the power reservoir. If funds are available, I should recommend as a temporary measure the installation of a pumping set on the race below the Waikiekie reservoir, pumping from the race into the reservoir, and needing to operate during the dry weather periods only.

Sewerage.

Parawai Area.—Tenders have been called to close on February 4th for the construction of sewers in area bounded on the north by Grey Street, on the east by the Kauaeranga Valley Road, and on the south and west by the Kauaeranga River. It will extend along the Valley Road to include the group of residences ending at the Maori Vicarage, due provision having been made for extension towards the racecourse at some future date-. Block 27 Area.—Field data of considerable assistance, previously collected by Mr. E. F. Adams, was received from him towards the end of last month. Levels are now being taken 'over the whole of the area built upon, and a comprehensive scheme will be evolved for the whole. Portions thereof, for construction, as and when determined by you, can then be selected. General. —With the approaching termination of the contracts in the congested area, presumably the system sb far completed will be handed over for operation. Operation details are being considered; hut it is of some urgency to have all remaining house connections completed at once, so that economy in the present system of collection and disposal by cart might he effected. Roads and Streets. Six men have been constantly engaged in cutting growth. Wherever possible and as required, men have been taken from the maintenance works to assist on quarry works. Hill Street.—A contract for gravelling a portion of this has been let, and will he completed during the week. Prior to gravelling, the surface was graded and scarified. Moanataiari Road.- —Slips in the vicinity of the mine have been cleared. Kauaeranga Bridge.—A bitumen sur face has been applied.

Quarry.

Storage Cutting.—The contractor ex. ceeded by some 16 days the time allowed for the work. This was due partly to bad weather conditions existing before the holidays and partly to the necessity to remove extra rock for safety reasons. Since the completion of this, however, works have proceeded smoothly and satisfactorily. One breaker has been installed, and tried out. The storage bin in the cutting has been erected; the winding gear installed; jig-wheel in cutting placed in position and haulage ropes adjusted. With respect to the winding gear, certain essential mechanical parts have been delayed by the manufacturers (Messrs. Price), and have just come to hand, with one part still to come. This unfortunately prevented a trial being made, as expected, at the end of last week. This afternoon some 10 or 15 yards were crushed and the trucks filled in readiness for a trial. The screen and prime mover are now ready for installation, and the screening bins are well forward. Specifiactions are in hand for calling tenders for the breaking out of spalls and delivery to the crusher. By the time a contract is in hand, the screen and bins will be completed. Following a successful trial in the next few days, and such adjustments as may be necessary, questions of reorganisation or staff for operating may be consideied. I have requested the Inspector of Mines and the Inspector of Machinery to meet me on the work and go fully into any further matters relating to safety of plant and public. Tararu Sewerage. Cr. Donovan voiced an opinion that an estimate should be got for seweiage work at Block 27 and Tararu. If the loan money, plus an additional 10 per cent, legally allowed, was insufficient, another loan for the Tararu work might be put to the ratepayers. Ibe Tararu people, in the meantime, were paying a rate for a service not yet granted. Cr. Bush would like a special meeting to consider the last two paragraphs of the report referring to the Quail y, There were matters involved requiring full discussion and information. Cr. Potterton favoured the sugges tion, but thought councillors should first visit the Quarry. Domestic Water Supply.

Cr. Bongard introduced the question of some provision being made for the installation of a pumping set. The Engineer intimated there were no funds for such work. Cr. Mackay thought the need for such a pump existed. The water race had frequently broken down, and a further breakdown should be avoided when a sanitary drainage system was (Continued at bottom of next column.)