HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4428, 16 June 1922, Page 4

HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

ENUINBEK’S BEFOBT. The county engineer (Mr. J. Higgins) presented his initial report to the Haura,ki Plains County Council on Monday. He had already been over practically the whole of the county and had refreshed his memory in regard to any of the roads. The report read as follows : ‘Tahuna-MorrinsVille Road.—The expenditure of loan bearing Government subsidy is being carried put, there being 80ch 45ft of metal laid. The formation prior to metalling has been well carried out, and the metal generally bears the appearance of a good job. “Edwards’ Culvert (Tahuna). —The contractor had commenced work on this culvert when I arrived on the ground. Unfortunately, however, I found that the gravel carted on to the site required washing. In my opinion also there was; not sufficient reinforcement specified on the structure, and as, in addition, the wings to retain the earth were insufficient I- decided to stop the work. I have since prepared plans and specifications and ordered additional mild steel rods for reinforcement.

“McDonald’s Stream Bridge.—Having inspected the above site I find that a bridge with at least 14ft spur is required, I estimate the cost for constructing the bridge in ferro-con-crete and forming approaches as. £5OO. "Wilson's Road, Netherton. —I examined this work and found that in two places the formation was not completed to the specification levelThe contractor has promised to make: good before final payment can be made on his contract. Pekapeka Road.—On examining this road I found that the metal already laid is level with the outer sides of the road, and it is necessary to lift the existing metal and form the road before placing fresh material on it. In my opinion the work should not be undertaken before srping. I have in consequence arrangd to meet the settlers, om the ground on Tuesday, 13th inst., ajntd discuss the matter, which, I trust, will prove a mutual benefit. “Gumtown Road. —The work contained in forming this road had to be abandoned, and the grader is now being used in skimming the earth on i the outer edges along the main Tu-1 rua-Netherton road. , "Huirau Road.—The metal from the main Turua road to t,he Gumtowm Road corner is in a wretched condftion, and for some distance beyomd’ the corner the road is also bad. I estimate that it will take 900 cubic yards of metal to put the whole of ' the road in order. “Turua Town District to Huffrau Road.—This portion of road is in? very bad order, and requires about. 200 cubic yards of metal to effect repairs"Huirau Road Corner to Netherton, —The whole of this road’, with the?

exception of. one short stretch at Netherton, is in bad order, and will take 2000 cubic yards to repair holes in the metal. “Netherton to Puke Bridge.—’This road is exceptionally bad at the southern end, and is becoming dangerous for vehicle traffic, and I estimate the nietal required to be 1600 cubic yayds. "Orchard East Road,. —I find the bridge crossing the drain on the county boundary is dangerous for heavy traffic, due to the side of! the drain having fallen in, and I would recommend that, steps be taken to have the present structure taken a,way and replaced with; concrete pipes.” DISCUSSION. Cr. Whitechurch reported that the contractor had gone on with the culvert at Edwards’ deviation and was doing good work. On Hayward thought the committee which was going to Thames to arrange for metal should obtain 309 yards of metal for the Huirau Road. Cr. Death said the Council should not spend too much; money on the roads on account of the forthcoming loan, The most urgent matter was the filling in of a few bad holes near Carter’s corner and some of the road i between Netherton and the Puke J bridge. The nietal for Carter’s corner should be obtained from Thames. The engineer supported Cr. Deaxh that there should be only enough 1 money spent bn the roads until the . I loans were raised 1 to put irt good roads. j It was decided ,to obtain 500 yards of metal for the roads. It was left to the engineer and Cr. Death to obtain not more than 200 yards of metal tp patch, the roads from the Puke Bridge to the Netherton school. Cr. Death’ said he and Cr. Harris had interviewed Mr. Ratcliffe in PaeToa with regard to storing metal fpr work in the spring. A. reply from ‘Messrs. Ratcliffe and Son ha,d stated that they had interviewed the railway officials re storing the metal in railway yards. The Auckland officials would have to be approached by the Council. The firm would store tne anetal at Is per yard. The firm would like to interview tjie Council’s representatives. Cr. Death further stated that the cost of. delivering the metal would be 8s per yard, plus the cost of stacking, Cr. Death and the engineer were ■deputed to interview Messrs Ratcliffe jand Son, THE CLERK’S REPORT. r RIDING BALANCES. The clerk’s report tp the Hauiraki ! Plains County Council contained the .following: I “I have prepared the rate [book | three months earlier this year, and will issue the demands in about a week’s time. I am sending with them a circular urging ratepayers to sat- j isfy the demands at an early date and

pointing out that it will be necessary to press for payment much sooner j than heretofore. This matter is a J very vital one, .because if any work j is to be done in the coming summer it will be compulsory to have the rates in before the work is undertaken.” The following is a statement of the riding accounts as at May 31, 1922 : Turua Riding.—Riding expenditure, £26 6s Id; share general expenditure, £260; rates received, £278 5s 8d; share miscellaneous receipts, £46'. Balance available for expenditure, £37 19s 7d. Waitakaruru Riding..—Riding expenditure, £B5 Ils Id ; share general expenditure, £167; rates received, £749 14s; mis'qellanepus re- , ceipts, £3O. Balance available for expenditure, £527 2s lid. Patetonga Riding.—Riding expenditure, £B3 8s 2d ; share general expenditure, £ll2 ; rates received, £156 *2s 2d ; share miscellaneous receipts, £2O. Excess of expenditure, £l9 6s. Netherton Riding.—Riding expenditure, £64 3s ; share general expenditure, £373 ; rates received, £645 10s 5d ; •share miscellaneous receipts, £63. Balance available for expenditure, £274 7s sd. Tahuna Riding.—Riding expenditure, £lO2 8s 4d; share general expenditure, £177 ; rates received, £164 13s 5d ; share miscellaneous receipts, £32. Excess expenditure, £B2 14s lid. Out of a general expenditure of £lOB9 Ils 9d for the two months there have been advanced the following sums : Tahuna Roads Loan, £lBB ,1s lOd; Waitakaruru District Roads Loan, £llO 6s 6d ; Netherton Roads Loan, £l9 8s 6d; total, £317 16s 10d. The balances in the loan accounts on May 31 were: Netherton Roads Loan, £1557 4s. 2d; Tahuna Roads Loan, £lO Is 2d; Kopu Ferry Approach Roads Loan, £328 9s lid ; Waitakaruru District Roads Loan, £1 Is 5d ; Puriri Ferry and Approach Roads. Loan, £404 12s lOd. The receipts for the month of May include: General rate, £834 9s 3d; hospital ,ra,te, £238 7s id; Orchard bridge rate, £lO 18s 9d; Kopu ferry rate, £l4 14s 9d; Puriri ferry rate, £25 j Is- 8d; Kopu ferry approach roads rate, £l5 17s lOd ; Waitakaruru roads rate, £49 12s 3d ; Waihou bridge rate, £7 13s 10d; Tahuna roads, rate, £6 8s lid; Netherton roads rate, £6 8s; sale of metal to Ohinerr.uri County Council, £126 10s. The total receipts amounted to £1362 5s 7d. The credit balance as per cashbook of the county fund Account on May 31> 1922, was £lO7O 9s 4d.