LG Board Inquiry

9 Dec 1901

To-day Mr. P. C. Cowan, M. Host., C.K., Chief Inspector to tho local Government,so held an inquiry at the Council Chamber, City Hall, with reference to the application made by the Corporation for sanction to the following loans:—£3,105 for carrying out new sewerage works; £16.000 (supplemental) an connection with tic Bride’s Alley Area Scheme, under the Housing of the Working Classes Acts; £300 for the erection of a urinal m the Glasnevin Ward; £14,543 Os. 6d. for paving, asphalting, flagging, and concreting works; £5,060 for carrying out repairs and underpinning in connection with the Poddle River; £820 (supplemental) for carrying out.new sewerage works, and £300 for the purpose of defraying private improvement expenses in connection with works at Coady’s Cottages, West Road.

Mr. H. Bonass appeared for the Corporation, and Mr. J. Williamson (instructed by Mr. R. J. Pilkington) for the House’ Owners’ Proecttion Association, who objected to the granting of several of the loans.

The Corporation officials present were Messrs H. Campbell, Town Clerk; Spencer Harty, City Engineer; C. J. McCarthy, City Architect; .1. p. Kerrigan, City Accountant, M. M. O’Reilly, Secretary Improvements Committee; K Eyre, City Treasurer. The members of the Corporation in attendance were:—cThe Lord Mayor, Aldermen Joyce, Dowd,: and McCarthy; Councillors Sir J. Downes, O’Neill, Altman, Lawlor, TaJlon, and Jones.

Mr. J. P. Kerrigan, City Accountant, was first examined. He submitted a statement showing the valuation and sanitary indebtedness of the city and the added area, from which it appeared that the margin for borrowing amounted to £612,328 8s 9d, as worked out upon tho gross valuation of the district, and *o £587,313 12s 9d, as worked out according to the method approved by tho Local Government Board. The Inspector remarked that if the -work could be curried out from the current revenue they would save the interest that they would otherwise have to i>av. Alderman McCarthy gave evidence to the effect that the convenience for which tho loan was required at Glasnevin was absolutely necessary in tho township.

Colonel Gore Lindsay, a memo of the former Urban District Council of Drumcondra, deposed that tho plot of ground on which it WM proposed to erect, the convenience had been the property of that body, whose urban rights were now vested in the Corporation Ho thought tho sire was a suitable one.

Replying to Mr. Williams, witness said ho did not think there were any title deeds for this property.

Mr. Williams asked was not this only a squatter’s or grabber’s title? Was not any title to this ground a title of occupation alone? Witness said it had been in their occupation for the past seventy or a hundred years. The adjacent lands on both sides “were his.

Mr. Spencer Harty, Borough Surveyor, deposed that the site was a suitable for the accommodation that was proposed. It was proposed to expend £500. Witness gave details of the proposed expenditure.

Mr. Richard Jones, T.C., deposed to an arrangement made with the Tramway Company to the effect that tho company would subscribe the sum of £25 to tie cost of erecting the convenience at Glasnevin. There was not the _slightest fear that the Tram Company would _attempt to back out of that arrangement. This was a piece of common ground which was made a kind of a dumping ground for all kinds of rubbish. It was an absolute nuiance in -the neighbourhood.

In connection with the proposals to obtain loans for sewerage works, f. Spencer Harty, Borough Surveyor, deposed that the first item was the proposal for a sewer in Patrick street. At present, the sewerage ran into the Poxldle river. The scheme was to carry out a re-construction of the system, whereby they would form a connection with the main drainage, and the sewers would not run into tho Poddle river in future. The total length of the sewer would be 310 yards, and the estimated cost of it would be there be seven manholes.

Tho Inspector observed that the prices appeared high, and asked was there any intention of putting the work up for contract.

Mr. Jones, T.C., said there was no intention on the part of the committee of putting the work up for contract. It would have to be done by order of the Council. He was sure an expression of opinion from tho Inspector would have weight with them.

Tho Inspector—£3 a yard is an extraordinarily high price for a twelve-inch pipe.

Mr. Jones—The prices do seem very high.

The Inspector — This is eminently a work for contract.

Mr. Jones— The prices do appear high; but we were assured by tho _engineers who draw up the prices that they were low prices. There was a strong expression of opinion that the works should be let out to contract, and on the other hand there was a strong feeling that the Corporation themselves ought to do the work, and that possibly they could do it cheaper. If a contractor, as the London Council had been able to do.

The Inspector— It appears to me that the two ways of working should be behind and put into competition with each other. You have not tried what contractors would do it at. It is time you tried it. It would check your experience as to ehat tho cost would be, if nothing else.

Mr. Jones—There has not been anything done in the nature of ordinary lower work except by the Corporation for the past fifteen years.

The Inspector — Well, it is time you commenced it, especially when the rates of the city are the rates that they are. These prices startle me, and convey to my mind very sharply the idea that yet ought; to test them by asking for contracts. Mr. Williams said these price’s were on the basis of their experience of working these matters themselves. They would not be _asking for such loans if the matter was contracted tor in a commercial way.

Mr. Jones said he would bring before the committee the purport of the Inspector’s remarks with revered to the matter.

The Inspector – You have not tried the market for the prices. They are very high. You would cheek your experience by asking for contracts.
Mr. Jones assured the Inspector that his remarks would received tho attention of the committee.

Mr. Harty proceeded to give formal evidence in reference to the various sewers.

The Inspector — Are the sewers in Dublin self-cleansing?

Mr. Harty – It would be almost impossible for the sewers in Dublin they keep themselves self-cleaning when you find that the people.

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