HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4552, 18 April 1923, Page 4

HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

PROGRESS OF WORKS. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The Hatu-aki Plains County engineer, Mr J. Higgins, submitted the following report to the Council at its last meeting, o* the 9th instant: — J have the honour to report progress regarding works in your county for the period ending to-day, and in doing so I regret to state that in many cases the results achieved for the month are to my mind very disappointing indeed., and I feel that it is just and proper that your Council be informed in regard to at least some of the principal features bearing on the case. To commence with, I would state that the period opened with one punt being sunk at Wharepoa, following which the contractor for punting the metal had his launch laid up for repairs for a few days. Later, again, the same punt sank at Turua. It was found that the sinking at Wharepoa caused a leak in the punt which necessitates it being laid up for slight repairs. It is unfortunate that you? Council has to choose the use of ? punt at a time when there is a chance to get constant supplies from Thames quarries. But in addition to this delays have taken place in the matter of grading, hauling of metal, scarifying, etc., which I shall be pleased io discuss during the meeting. Hikutaia Quarry.—The contractor has completed 94ft of funnel and has done approximately 25ft in rise, and I estimate that broken metal will come to hand by the 20th instant. It has been found, in putting in this tunnel that the metal is dipping away from the fr&nt of the tunnel, and in consequence the area of stone is less than that which is indicated on the surface. .It is impossible to estimate even approximately the extent of metal in the hill without further prospecting, but what has been done in the nature of tunnelling opens up a question for discussion, and will prove some guidance for your Council in regard to future development of the quarry. Hikutaia Jetty.—The jetty and chute is now completed, and the contractor has undertaken to drive three piles on the upper side of the chute and do the necessary work to safeguard the structure against, driftwood during flood times. Netherton Hopper.—Arrangements

for hoisting metal into the hopper are nearing completion. The gaff is now completed, and the hoist and motor will be placed in position at an early date. The manager of the Power Board has promised to have the line completed within a few days. Netherton School to Post Office.— The delay in having this work in hand is due to there being no metal available, and as the season is getting late I would ask authority to la.v about 50 cubic yards of metal from the Paeroa dump to tide over the winter if money is available. Ngararahi Stop-bank Road.—l hare now received advice from Mr May, Public Works engineer, that £6OO will be made available when the proposed works a ,- e completed. The arrangements provide that the settlers sign an undertaking to complete the work for the amount of money available. Netherton-Turua Road. —The county trucks' are being employed in putting metal on this road. Very stow pro gross is being made, owing to unforeseen delays in getting the county tractor and grader in a fit state to grade the road, in f' - out of the metalling, and also in getting suitable labour to shovel metal and drive the trucks. Wilson’s Road Drain.—The successful tenderer for constructing, the drain declined to sign the contract, and I have arranged a fresh contract

with N. C. Sweet for £250. He has not yet commenced work. Puke-Netherton Road. —I have been unable to procure a suitable driver for the roller, and in consequence the metal laid on the road prior to last meeting has not, been rolled. I am, however, trying to procure a diivei, and hope to put the work in hand when the test piece of bitumen roa.l is laid at Turua. Netherton Ferry—The repairs to the feiiry are now completed, and one 600 gallon tank is on order for the ferryman’s house. Fis’icr’s Road and School Drains- — I have not yet arranged for the cleaning ol drains as set forth in the minutes at your last meeting. I am, how< ever, keeping the matter in view, and will endeavour to have the work undertaken at an early date. Puriri Stream Metal.—The appoin:ment of Mr Cameron to have charge of metal supplied from Puriri Stream was made on March 24'. I accompanied Mr Cameron and Mr Spicer, of John Burns and Co., on to the si:e chosen for the erection of the breaking plant and hopper. The latter has promised to submit a price at you. meeting to-day for fitting up the full plant required for the work. Bitumen Road, Turua.—The bitumen and sprayer to be used in laying down live chains of test pavement has arrived at Turua, and I hope to have arrangements complete for Mr Skitrop to undertake the work during the current week. Newman’s Road Drain.—ln compliance with instructions received at the last meeting of your Council I have arranged.a contract for cleaning out and trimming back the edge of this drain. The work is to cost £l5. Mr Cameron has undertaken to supervise the getting of kauri sleepeis from settlers along the road, and will also have charge of the laying of the tramline. Orchard East Road.—l have been unable to get this work in hand with the Council’s plant, and I would ask authority to ha.ve the work done by contract. Turua Town Board. — I have supplied estimates for laying down bitumen roads in the Town Board area, a summary of which is as follows': Hauraki Road,, £2564 ss; Hauraki Road, £l4BO ; Raratuna Road, £454 5s ; Awa Street, £154 5s 6d; Oparia Road, £302 10s ; Piako Road, £2129 5s ; contingencies, say, £355 9s 6d; total. £7440. Miranda-Waitakaruru Road. —The contractors have completed 10 chains of metalling on this road. The work is progressing slowly, and unless the settlers can supply teams to expedite the carting I am afraid the metalling will not be completed before winter. The formation being carried out by Coxhead Bros, is nearing completion, and bears evidence that a good job will oe done. Miranda West Road.—The .work on this road is held up until the surfaceman can be released from MirandaWaitakaturu Road. Bennett’s Hill. —The surfaceman ! has formed this road to Mrs Bennett’s 1 gate, and the greater portion of same has received a dressing of shell. Surfaceman’s House.—The contractor has signed for the work specified, I and states that he is preparing to make an early start. . j Mahutu Road Bridges.—l have ex-] amined the bridges on this road near i Halley’s corner, and I estimate that it will cost approximately the full amount of the grant, namely, £B5O, offered by the Lands Department, to complete the canal bridge, and it would require an additional £550 to replace the old bridge crossing the i stream on the same road. The latter can be repaired to last eight or ten years for the sum of £l5O. I Wajkjtmete Stream Bridge.—The contractor has this work well under wav, and should complete it,.about the end of the current month.

Kaihere Road— Plahs for reforming and improving this road are nearing completion, and will be submitted to the Public Works Department within a few days. Patetonga-Kaihere Road. — Fresh tenders are due at the county office to-day for straightening the road near the saleyards ; also for improving portion of the road fronting Patetohga pound. I have arranged with Cartel Bros, to grade two sections of the road near the saleyards. Hikutaia Tramline. —I have interviewed the owner of the property through which it is proposed to construct the tramline, and was unable to obtain terms for same. I have compiled estimates for construction only, which are as follows : ■ Formation 68 chains at £5 pci chain, £340 ; sleepers in position, 68 chains at £2 8s per chain, £163 ; rails position, 68 chains at £8 per chain. £544 ; sidings complete, 6 chains at £2O per chain, £120; ballasting 68 chains at £4 7s 6d per chain, £297 10s; contingencies, £35 10s; total, £150».

On the motion of Cr. Harris, seconded by Cr. Hayward, the report was received.