AWAITI ROADS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4302, 10 August 1921, Page 3

AWAITI ROADS.

PUKAHU AND STOP-BANK. •

HAURAKI rLAINS COUNCIL,

ASKED TO ASSIST.

. A number of communications were received by the Hauraki Plains County Council at its monthly meeting at Ngatea on Monday in reference to the condition of the Pukahu Road, Awaiti Settlement, and the stop-bank along the Waihou River from the Puke bridge to .the Pukahu road corner.

Mr Edward Jamieson, Paeroa, drew the Council’s attention to the state of the Pukahu Road, which would have to carry the cream“from the whole of the Awaiti block this summer. He would also urge the Couiicil to dedicate the stop-bank canal road’ from Puke Road to Pukahu Rocid. Mr F. C. Western, of Mt. Eden, i.n : fimated to the Council that the settlers on the Pukahu Road were practically unanimously in favour of forming a rating area to raise a loan for metalling the road. Mr L. May, Assistant Engineer, Paeroa office of the Public Works Department, wrote pointing, out that 'the onus of dedicating the Ngararahi stop-bank road was upon the Council. He was prepared to ppi.it out the route, etc.

Messrs R. I. Roberts, W. I. Collet', Western Bros, E. Jamieson, W. c Haynes. W. Simpson and Edith Western petitioned for improvements, the following being the main points of the petition:

Stop-bank and road reserve.—Petitioners depended upon this as theii only outlet, but the Public Works Department had commenced alterations which would soon make it impassable. Dedication of stop-bank road. Petitioners wished this road handed over by the Public Works Department to the Council. s

Sand.—As the Public Weiks Department’s dredge was at Puke bridge it would be a distinct advantage if sand were, pumped'on to different portions of the road, at cost price, a few pence per yard. Pukahu Road and drain.-Petition-ers said the drains on this road were bank high, and 'had been sc since least June. They asked .the Council’s assistance in lowering the water,. Public Works Department stoobank and accumulated water. —“T''*.' completion of the ston hank up to Tirohia on the Waihou, west side of the river, though of a vast benefit to the Crown tenants in the case of a severe flood, has had the effect on our properties, particularly on, the back portion, of causing continued flooding. It imprisons the who’e of the water that accumulates on some thousands of acres at the back cf us, and which .previously was able to find its way to the Waihou River further up, without any provision being made for the disposal of the same. .Its only present outlet is over the oack of ou. properties, and into pur drams, which are not able to cope with so great a volume of water, and thence into the Pukahu Road drain.”

The petitioners stated that'they ha.l waited on the Public Works Department, and had received a sympathetic hearing. Thpy wished the Council to back up thefr request and impress upon .the Public Works Department the gravity of the situation, and the Department’s responsibility for the existing state of affairs. Or. G. said it'was "usual for parties wanting a road dedicated te pay for the survey and the dedication. In this case there would be a special rating area, upon the -settlers of which, he presumed, the burden would fall. But he did not think the settlers understood the position. He moved that the Council agree to the dedication, provided that the petitioners paid for the same—Carried. Cr. Death said the settlers had paid rates for many years, and he thought it time now that the Council assisted them with the drainage; they had never had one shilling’s worth b way of return. —Agreed to assist. Cr. W. G. Hayward remarked that raupo had a very deadening effect on the flow of the water; he had known raupo to hold a flood up-. Cr. . Death, the- chairman, Cr. A. Chatfield, and the engineer were deputed to make the necessary arrangements.