BULLDOZER NEEDED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 60, 13 March 1943, Page 4

BULLDOZER NEEDED

SPECIAL ACCOUNT OPENED* WANGANUI COUNTY PLANS A special account for machinery replacement, including the purchase of a bulldozer, is to be opened by the Wanganui County Council, following a decision reached at the monthly meeting yesterday. It was emphasised that sooner or later the council will purchase a bulldozer, but if a fund is not available the money must be found from a levy on rates. After submitting his monthly report on road maintenance, made difficult because of a shortage of labour and plant, the engineer, Mr. R. R. Dawson, said the council, at some future time, must face the question of purchasing a bulldozer. A machine of this type would save much expense, but he believed that the present cost of bulldozers was too high. “Possibly we could obtain one after the war,” he addec.

The county clerk, Mr. G. Darbyshire, reported that certain moneyhad come to hand which the council had not expected before March 31. The cost of a bulldozer at the present time was about £lBOO, which seemed excessive, but it was an excellent opportunity for the council to establish a special machinery fund. Cr. R. W. Stewart commented that ratepayers were hinting at a reduction in rates. He did not think they would favour the idea of a bulldozer being purchased from an increased levy. “It seems an excellent idea to get a bulldozer, but I agree with Cr. Stewart.” said Cr. T. Mitchell, who added that such a purchase, in the ordinary way, would mean an extra rate levy of about l-Bd. "By establishing a machinery fund we are preparing for a rainy day," said the county clerk.

Cr. Mitchell said the grader was becoming worn out. This would mean more expense.

The engineer: The council has been very light-on machinery for some years. The county clerk: If you are going to entertain the idea of a bulldozer you must place £l5OO in a machinery account which can be used for no purpose other than machinery replacement. The hire of bulldozers, at 25s an hour, for clearing slips in the county during the past two years had meant expenditure which could have purchased two of the machines, said Cr. Mitchell.

The engineer: I would hardly say that. The owner must maintain his machines. Cr. Stewart said he was opposed to the council purchasing a bulldozer at the present time. He thought that after the war this type of plant would not only be cheaper, but improved. The chairman: I quite agree with that.

On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Cr. Stewart, the council decided to open a machinery account with £l5OO.