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80
in my last year's report as discreditable and dangerous to the health
of the inhabitants, and I again call attention to my remarks on the
subject contained in my last year's repoit.
It will be seen by the above tables that contracts to the amount of
£7,642 have been let for making up New Streets and Apportionments
made to the extent of £17,800. As the Vestry charge 5 per cent, on the
work done, and at least 8 per cent, may be considered to be earned
when the street is apportioned, it will be seen that this department has,
during the year, earned the sum of £882 2s. and £3199 13s. 10d., or a
total of £781 13s. 10d.
The Vestry may be congratulated on making a profit out of the
work done in the Department of the Surveyor.
Apportionments.
A great deal of cry has been raised by a few individuals because of
the differences between some of my apportionments and the actual cost
of the work.
1 beg to state here that the apportionments have all been based on
prices actually paid by this Vestry for work done. The discrepancies
have been in the prices paid to the contractors ; for instance, a street
770 ft. long cost £956 18s. A similar street, 1,190 ft. long, parallel to the
first, and made up in a precisely similar manner proportionately should
have cost £1,498; it actually cost £949 19s. Id., or a difference of 55
per cent.
Two precisely similar streets on the Poole Park Estate differ 30 per
cent, in price.
The reduction in the later prices paid for work is to a great extent
due to my own action after the apportionments were made. I find myself
blamed because the apportionment was high, but I do not find
myself thanked because the cost of the work has been reduced.
The statement that hardship is often caused to contributors by a
larger amount than the cost of the work being demanded from them
can be met by the Vestry demanding the amount of the apportionment
in instalments of 50 per cent and 25 per cent., and the balance, if
required, after the completion of the work.
Re Allowances for Flanks.
On September 21st, 1887, the Vestry decided that—
" In cases where there be no door or way out, one half, and where
there be a way out, two thirds ; the difference to be apportioned on the
" other houses m the same street; and if the end be a shop, then the full
" amount to be charged."