WORKS IN THE COUNTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4450, 7 August 1922, Page 4

WORKS IN THE COUNTY.

ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer, Mr E. Shaw, reported as follows to the meeting of the Ohinemuri County Council on Thursday : The contract for Princess Street, Waikino, has been completed, and also the damage to Houmanga Real caused through the late flpods. In carrying but this work we were greatly assisted by the settlers, who carried out a fair portion of the above free of cost to the Council. Plans and specifications have been approved and the authority given for erection of two platform bridges on the Waihii Whangamata road for which 1 £loo' is available. The timber for repairs for Waitekauri and Golden Cross bridges I hope to on the ground this month. Re J. O’Brien’s application for a lease of the sanitary, dump at Karangahake. On going into this matter I find 20 out of the 35 acres were leased to Messrs Wiggins and Waller in 1916.

It was agreed to advise Mr O’Brien of the position.

Return of piece of land taken from Mr Fitzgerald for road purposes : The clerk and I have looked into this matter, as instructed, and we find that an agreement was entered into in 1911 by which the Council was to make over to Mr Fitzgerald the first piece of land taken, containing approximately 8 acres, in consideration of his foregoing any claim for, compensation for the 10 acres subse-

quently taken for the present road, and the Council further agreed to fence the road line. The fence has been erected, but no steps have been taken to execute the transfer of the land to be returned to Mr Fitzgerald.

It was decided tp take steps to close the road and have the area retransferred to Mr Fitzgerald. Jasper Browne's application for. exchange of roads through his property at Waitawheta: I inspected the site of the proposed new road, and find a good grade can be had, and easy to construct. I interviewed the only persons who would be likely to raise any objections tp the closing of the present road, and after explaining to them the benefits to the Council and to themselves they promised to let me know by letter at once. Cr. Morgan said that there was i grant of £5O to put the road in. He moved that the matter be left ip the hands of the engineer to deal with. Mr Shaw said that he favoured the deviation.

It was decided that the engineer procure further details. The post office at Waitekauri, which was installed in the store and was carried on by Mr Walker, is now closed. As it is necessary tp retain the post office, and there being no other building but the county toolshe.a, the riding members, Messrs Corbett and Morgan, communicated with the chairman for the use of same, and on the advice of the chairman I went to Waitekauri and in company with Cr. Morgan examined the building and found several urgent repairs were necessary, and it was agreed that they should have the

building for a term, provided a small rent was paid and .the Council put to no expense in the matter. This was agreed upon, the settlers undertaking to flrd the material and de all the necessary improvements.

Work was effected on the Old Tauranga Road by the settlers, under the supervision of the foreman for the riding, for, ,which the sum of £5 was offered and accepted by the settlers towards the cost of same.

Extension of Water Supply. l The water extension to Mr Lewis, of Te Arolia Road, ,has been put in, Ml Lewis assisting with the labour and giving a cash donation; also the extension to Mr V. Young, Mill Road, has been completed.

Waitawheta Road —The Waitawheta Road between the falls and the Waihi road is getting into disrepair, and before it goes any further I would ask your Council’s permission for 50 cubic yards of metal in the rough form from the quarries in the vicinity, and have same broken into the holes.

The engineer's proposal was adopted. i . Thames Road.—This road where it was scarified and rolled is becoming worn in places, and needs seeing to. I wbuld ask your permission to get three or four trucks of screenings for repairs to same.

It was ageed to procure four trucks ofj screenings . .

Car. —In company with the chairman I took the Studebaker car to Hamilton and made a satisfactory deal for a new late model Ford, and same is giving every satisfaction.