TENDERS SOON FOR SEALING AT OHOPE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 16, Issue 35, 20 December 1950, Page 5

TENDERS SOON FOR SEALING AT OHOPE

Tenders will be called soon for

road sealing at Ohope reported the engineer, Mr C. H. Brebner, to the Whakatane County Council on Monday. His report read:— Minginui Road: The machine operator carrying out the construction work on the Minginui deviation sent in word that he had encountered difficulties and requested an immediate inspection. An inspection revealed that during the course of the work the water from a spring had been dammed back and this had broken through the surface of the new formation rendering it unworkable. The water had been running under the surface of the ground and it was not until it had been blocked at a lower level did it rise to the surface and cause the trouble. A culvert was necessary to remove the water from the formation

and a large side drain was required to tap the water before, it reached the road. Had this hold-up not occurred the formation work would now be completed. The length of road from the deviation at present being constructed out to the State highway is two miles 56 chains. The estimated cost of widening, metalling and providing the necessary culverts on this section is £2,000. It is anticipated that the

total expenditure for the year on this road including the new deviation, extension to the State highway if undertaken and maintenance over the whole section would not exceed £4,500. This would put the whole length of roadway in excellent condition apart from the bridges. The bridges could be replaced in permanent materials when the. money is available but in the meantime the existing structures are quite capable of carrying the traffic providing they are properlv maintained. Ruatoki Roads: It is understood that the Ruatoki roads will be taken over by this Council at an early • date. In order to effectively maintain such roads an additional planer unit will be required. Such unit together with driver could be stationed at Taneatua. This again brings up the question of housing for county, employees and I would suggest that a committee be set. up to bring down a report to the next meeting of the Council. The building of a planer for Galatea is now in hand and I would suggest that a second machine be built for Ruatoki and that another tractor be purchased. Wainui Main Highway: Several bad corners have been removed on the road leading to Ohope and should result in a much greater measure of safety to the travelling public. Reconstruction and Sealing Ohope: Plans and specifications have now been completed for the reconstruction and sealing of that portion of the Ohope Beach Road from Millar’s store to the stream on the eastern side a distance of 46 chains. The road formation is to be 32 feet'wide, a base course of 24 feet wide and a sealing width of 22 feet. . Tenders will be called immediately approval has been received from the Main Highways Board. Matahi Road, Manawahe: A deviation is being constructed at Appleby’s corner Manawahe by Council’s staff and plant. This will obviate a particularly bad corner. County By-Laws: The ‘ committee consisting of the deputy-chairman, the Building Inspector and the .writer met and went thoroughly into the question of adopting the New Zealand Standards Institute- Bylaws. The County Clerk has sent away for copies of the local bylaws and a report will be brought down after these by-laws have been studied.

Stanley Road: The writer has been requested by some of the Stanley Road settlers to make an inspection of Stanley Road and a possible air strip site on the 19th inst. The settlers hope to establish an air strip for the purpose of carrying out aerial topdressing. Sealing of Roadway Fronting Shops and Schools: The necesary chips have been ordered for carrying out the sealing work at Thornton, Matata, Otakiri and Ruatoki fronting shops, schools etc. Tenders will be called for the balance of the work.