MANUKAU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 670, 27 September 1921, Page 2

MANUKAU COUNTY COUNCIL.

ENGINEER’S REPORT.

The Engineer (Mr W. J. Lopdell), reported as follows at Tuesday's meeting of the Manukau County Council:—

Riding.

During the past month the “J v Thornycroft has been engaged in hauling scoria for maintenance, the reads now being in fairly good: order.

Ascot Road.—A start has been made with the metalling of this road with scoria, work proceedingvery well Grader.-—The grader has started the season’s work in this Riding, where it will be engaged for about a fortnight or three weeks. Waterworks.—The installation of the water service has been put in hand again, and should be only the matter of a few weeks before the ratepayers will have the benefit of the service at this end of the Riding. Mangere Bridge Approaches.—-1 have prepared a report on the condition of the approaches to <the Mangere bridge. If it can be arranged before the meeting, a thorough inspection will be made of the bridge piles, etc. \

Quarrying.—Good progress is being madte at the Springs, where our quarrymen are producing stone at a very satisfactory price.

Premier Estate Roads.—Mr W. B. Lloyd has accepted our conditions in respect to this road. I will have the reads rolled as early as possible, to enable him to proceed with the blinding.

Pakuranga Riding.

Howick Beach .Road.—As instructed, we have carried out the metalling to Mr Granger’s property with scoria. Roberts’ Road.—Re application from Mr E. T. Laurie for metal extension. It would be* too costly to form and metal the road in quostioy, as there is a lot of formation necessary. If the settlers concerned will subsidise, I think the Riding could metal to Mr Laurie’s gate, a" distance of about three chains. Cr Hattaway and I called on Mr L. T. Alexander, and with him inspected the road in question. It appears that Mr Paton has had the use of the road for years and has kept it cleared of all noxious weeds. Now it is ploughed and ready for cropping Mr Alexander wants half of it.

Late Paparoa Road Board v. Mr W. H. Nicholas. —We have inspected this road, also made enquiries from trie firm of solicitors who have the case in hand. A full report will be made verbably. General surface work has been carried out throughout the Riding. Summer Roads. —If the weather continues dry, the side tracks will require early attention, which will save the metal.

Papakura Riding.

Great South Road.—Between 50 ar.d GO yards of scoria has been railed to Takanini and put on the road. It would require about as much more to make a good job of it. Cr Davies and I waited upon Mr D. Mclnness re clearing half the width of the road leading from his property to Alfriston. His offer is an exceedingly good one from the Council’s point of view.

Weymouth Roach—Re Mr R. Robinson’s request to erect a temporary fence along the reserve line. After inspecting the reserve we are of the opinion it would be a great advantage to have it cleared of noxious weeds and looked after by someone. Brookby Road.—This road has been patched up from the Whitford road tc Mr W. Knight’s. Stratford Street, Manurewa.—This road was formed from the Ranfurly

read corner up to Hill road last year. Owing to the lateness of the season, it was not completed. I have inspected it, and will give a certificate to enable the contractor to draw his final payment.

Papatoetoe Riding.

Graham’s Road.—We have laid off the deviation and taken levels, and p.ans have been prepared in readiness for the formation. Some of'the pipes for the culverts have been hauled as near as the lorry could get to the site.

Great South Road.—Footpath from Mrs Hunter’s store to opposite Presbyterian Church is about 5 chains; to form and metal and kerb this will cost £4Q. Coouncillor Waters and I attended to. several matters delegated to us at last meeting. Councillor’s Cottage, O’Hara Road. —We inspected this propjerty and find that the outbuildings are not in keeping with the house. We would recommend that they be dismantled and with the material a wash-house be built. The range which is in the house to be removed to the kitchen. A fuller report will be furnished at a later date.

Brown’s Road.—The crushing plant is now in full swing, and given fine weather will push on with this work. The lorries have done a lot of useful work hauling scoria during the month.

Turanga Riding.

General surface work has been the order of the day. The metalled roads

are in fair order at the present time. The clay roads require the grader before the summer -weather hardens them too much.

Whitford-Brookby Road.—l have written to Wade Bros., asking them to proceed with the formation work as early as possible.

Wairoa Riding.

Foreman Peterson has been most or the month engaged with the bridge gang on Campbell’s stream bridge and approaches. This work is now completed, and has considerably improved this grade. The Ness Valley Road has been patched up with metal from the creek.

The bridge gang is now on the Parish Lane bridge. At this place it is our intention to put a cut which will straighten the creek, and give us a better bridge site.

Clevedon-Takanini Road. —Pipes are being hauled for the culverts on this road.

General.

I have appointed Mr C. H. Oldham to work the grader. Building permits ©mounting to £2240 have been issued during the month of August. The report was adopted.