HAURAKI PLAINS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4454, 16 August 1922, Page 4

HAURAKI PLAINS.

WORK IN THE COUNTY. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The County engineer (Mr Jas. Higgins) made the following report to the Hauraki Plains County Council at its meeting on Monday : Huirau Road.—The contract let by the public tender to Mr R. G. Miller during the month for delivering metal is nearing completion, and the balance yet to arrive by punt, approximately 15 . cubic yards, will put the road in fair order. Turua-Netherton Road (Turua Riding) .—Contract let for carting 175 cubic yards of metal for repairs is in hand. Messrs Foote Bros., of Thames, had undertaken to land metal at Turua, but owing to an accident to the punt supplies have not been coming forward during the last two weeks, and in consequence we have not been successful in taking advantage of the fine weather. x Orongo - Turua Road. — The shingle supplied by tne Council for the Orongo Road has been spread, and I have made arrangements with Foote Bros, to deliver the additional punt load to Turua and one punt load at Towers’ Landing for repairing the same road. Netherton Main Road. — The contract let to Messrs Brenan and Co. for carting 200 cubic yards of metal on to the road has been completed some time ago, and an additional 50 yards are now coming to hand. I have also arranged for 200 cubic yards of metal to come from Thames, 150 yards of which will be landed at the Wharepoa ferry and the balance at Fisher's Landing. I might state that the Thames are somewhat uncertain, and not until your Council arranges for its own punts to carry metal aqd acquires its own source of supply will there be full satisfaction gained in the way of obtaining metal. Piako Road.—The metal for repairing this road is coming to hand slowly, there being only 28 cubic yards spread. The second punt load which is due to arrive will, when spread, go a long way towards filling the bad holes with metal along the section of the road for which it is intended. Waitakaruru Stream Road.—l find that the settlers residing on this road have not yet signed specifications for clearing the southern boundary drain. As the road is not likely to suffer in the case of a delay I would recommend that the settlers be allowed to make their own time for completing the agreement.

Ngataipua East Road. — During the month I have pegged and levelled the unmetalled portion of this road at Orongo end and will have plans for the necessary work at the earliest opportunity. Kaihere-Patetohga Road. — The washout at the Mangawhero Bridge is now repaired, and the protection in the nature of piling and sheeting will prevent further scour. Tahuna Quarry Road.— The works necessary include widening portions of the road and metalling about 20 chains, putting in two 9inch pipe culverts, and erecting about 10 chains of road fence. I estimate the whole of the work to cost ,£175. , , Building.-— Tenders for removal of a cottage from Waihi to Waitakaruru were advertised to close ©u the 12lh inst. Your Council will therefore have an opportunity to deal with the matter to-day. I am also in communication w»th Mr Gilman, architect at Paeroa, who informs me that he is prepared to call tenders for the engineer’s house at an early date.

Metal Dump.— In response to application for metaldump at Paeroa Railway Siding, I received communications from the district Railway Engineer setting forth the

terms and conditions under which the Department would grant thfe request. In due course I exercised the powers given me by your Council and signed the document, which was handed to your clerk to complete and forward to its destination. Proposed Turua Loan. — I examined those roads included in the loan proposals comprising the greater part of the Turua Town Board area and the southern end of the Turua riding. I have since compiled estimates for scarifying and removing the old metal surface, reconstructing formaticn, rolling, cost of material, and everything else required for laying down a bitumen grouted and sealed road. Each item and the estimated cost is given on a separate paper covering 10 miles 25 chains of road. The total estimated cost for doing the proposed work is £26,000.

Quarries. —Before concluding I desire to draw the Council’s attention to the fact that no satisfactory progress has been made with regard !o acquiring a, quarry, from which your Council can draw supplies. In spite of the fact that all endeavours were used to procure a moderately small supply of metal during the last ten weeks it will be seen that the result? have been very unsatisfactory, and I would suggest that this matter be again taken’up so that we will he ready to meet the demands in the near future. I would also suggest that •steps be taken to have the. County punts put in order with as little delay as possible. PIAKO ROAD. The chairman said he. and the engines had engaged Mr Porteous to take charge of the metalling on the Piakoßoad. One scow-load had been delivered, but the scow and launch had been damaged by the bad weather and could not deliver any more for a fortnight. Mr McCowatt had then been asked to get metal from Puriri, but so far none of this had been landed. The punt for the broken metal had sprung a leak, and had to be put on the slip. METAL REQUIRED. Cr. McLoughlin : We must take in hand the Hikutaia quarry. Cr. Chatfield moved, and Cr. Mayn seconded, that the engineer report on all aspects of the Hikutaia quar ; ry. The motion was carried. The chairman thought that the Council must look also to some other source of supply as well as the Hikutaia quarry. Cr. Parfitt quite agreed with the resolution, and thought that the Council should also report on the possibilities of obtaining metal from, the Kauaeranga quarry, or elsewhere, and moved in that direction. Cr. Chatfield seconded, and the motion was carried. The engineer' was authorised to have council punts repaired.