HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4599, 17 August 1923, Page 4

HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

ENGINEER’S REPORT. zft the last meeting of the Hauraki Plains County Council the engineer (Mr J. Higgins) presented his monthly report as follows :— My report will open up questions which will require to be fully discussed. I have chosen in the early pages of same to dispose of pne vexed item, namely, metal supply. In doing so, I might state that the matter of metal transit has given me very grave concern during the last few weeks, and naturally councillors and ratepayers are likewise concerned, and are awaiting an explanation which I have set out to make as clear as possible. In order that you may judge the true facts bearing on the subject I would suggest that j commence with the first supplies pf metal taken from the jetty where it will be found that under favourable weather conditions, Mr R. Jennings delivered one punt load of metal per day on the banks of the Wiahou River, this showing that the fault is not to be traced to the Hikutaia stream. It was arranged from the start, while endeavouring to get sound competition that I would let other contractors, have a trial i un before calling tenders, so Mr G. Keith was given an opportunity to take charge of the punts. Just then, however,, the weather set in bad and delays occurred both in supply and transit of metal, following which two punts sunk while loaded, and Keith met with an accident to his knee, which necessitated his going into Thames Hospital, where he still remains. When tenders closed for punting the metal it turned out that Keith’s tender was the lowest, and he engaged an assistant to carry out the work. The assistant had the misfortune jto sink the first punt load that, was being towed, and the punt had to remain there.until a few days before I could get it removed. I rang up Thames yesterday and I find that Keith will not be well enough to resume work within three weeks, and there is some doubt whether I can get a man on to give temporary relief. Hikutaia Quarry.—The drive and rise put into the hill some short time back revealed the fact that the stone at the point where the quarry is now being worked is running up to the surface, and it was found necessary to prospect the hill in order to ascertain to some extent how . far the stone exists in the hill. I have in consequence put a drive in on the eastern slope of the hill op. a low level until I discovered that the overburden would be tpo great to work the stone. I found, however, that stone did exist near the top of the hill,, an 1 that the overburden was reasonably light. I then drove in two places on western fare fronting main Thames Road, about two and four chains from the present workings, and struck the metal within reasonably light overburden. I am pleased to say that the results as far as we have gone are very pleasing, and I have every hope that the quarry will be quite satisfactory. According to dockets received the Ohinemuri County Council has received to the end of July 185% cubic yards of metal. I have in response to an application from Thames County engineer agreed to let his council have six loads of metal, the price tn be 8/- per yard at hopper. - Ngatea-Waitakaruru Road. — The major portion of this road has received atention. The sides of metal roadway have been graded into the centre, and the worst holes filled with whatever available metal was found along the road. Further repair’s will be effected when transit of metal from Hikutaia quarry improves. Rawe Rawe Road.—The whole of the metal available along this road has been used in filling up adjacent holes on the road, all of which are in the Ngatea riding. Waitakaruru Stream Road.—The grader was employed on this road during the month. The outer edges of metal were trimmed to allow the water t,o escape. The metal for patching the road having been delayed I had ti-tree fascines, put in the worst holes. Kopuarahi Road. —Repairs to rpad through Horahia riding have been effected. The holes in metal have been repaired, and the outer edges from the roadway graded into shape to allow the water to escape clear of the metal. During the recent flood a cut had to be made across the road near Kopuarahi School to allow the water to escape and a temporary wooden platform placed across the opening. This essential work was taken in hand by your chairman, and in order to make a permanent job I have since discussed the matter with Mr Taylor, drainage engineer, who is looking into the levels with a view to his department providing adequate provision against the flooding of the area affected. Kerepeehi Road. —Work in the nature of grading frfom outer edge of metal roadway has been effected for the full length between Kopuarahi Road and Wharepoa Ferry. The work was done with the Lands Department plant .and labour under county supervision at a cost pf £3 10s per day. The results have proved to amptly justify the expenditure. Pateman’s Option re Patetonga Quarry.—ln view of the option held by your council for the purchase of Pateman’s section having expired on the 16th ultimo, before the quarry was sufficiently prospected, I secured, an extension of the option to fall due on 18th instant. There have been six men employed prospecting the hill at intervals for a distance of about 25 chains, and while abundance of stone is obtainable in the lower reaches of the stream, the quality of the metal has not proved up to expectations. It happens that while In Auckland I took the precaution of obtaining a tracing of the section, and while referring to same on the ground I found that the deposit of stone was bordering close on the boundary between Pateman's and section 2, and in order to have the locality defined in time for this meeting I caused a survey to be made, "with the result that it is now proved that the main

body of good metal is on the Education reserve, and not pn Pateman’s, and I would recommend that your Council secure rights over a small area in the adjoining section. Mahuta Road.—The timber for repairing Mahuta Road bridge is landed on the site, and I have arranged for the work to be put in hand when the pile-driving plant is available. Mangatarata Roads. —Repairs have been effected on roads throughout the Mangatarata district, in the nature of fascining soft places, cleaning away slips, and opening outlets for water. Netherton Road. —Repairs have been carried out during the month with metal from Hikutaia quarry. The branches of trees overhanging the road and endangering traffic have been cut and removed from the road. Wilson’s Road.-—The contract for draining the road is nearly completed, and t,he formation necessary prior to metalling could be put in hand when the weather takes up. At the request of the settlers I prepared estimates for forming the road and laying bitumen pavement, the approximate figure being £4BOO. Turua-Orongo Road. —The bus running ,to and from Thames has rendered parts of this road almost impassable for wheel traffic,, and in consequence set,tiers on the route find it difficult to get their milk to the factory. I was unable to get igetal for repairs, until Saturday, the 11th inst., when one puntload was landed at Turua. As matters now stand it is difficult to say when met,al can be landed, there being only one puntload on hand. It would take three puntloads at least to improve the worst patches between Gray’s and the town boards boundary, and a similar quantity should be laid through the town board area before carting met,al over the road.

I have agreed to the Turua Town Board getting metal from Hikutaia jetty for a portion of rpad in its area, the price to be arranged and board to find its own punts.

Pekapeka Road to Kerepeehi. I met the settlers on this road in company with Or. Nicholson and Mr Taylor (Lands Drainage Engineer). The object of the meeting was to discuss proposals for forming rpad and laying bitumen pavement. The total length of road included in the scheme is approximately four miles. The engineer for the Lands Department promised to complete the foimation from the end of Pekapeka Road to Kerepeehi, via Jamieson’s, leaving about 110 chains of new formation to be included in the scheme. The estimated cost, of the work is £9OOO. Hoppers.—The timber for hoppers at Puriri Stream and Newman’s Road is on the ground, and I expect the work to be put in hand during the current week. The iron tie rods and bolts have arrived. While in Auckland I arranged the freight at 2s 6d per 100 ft, and railway freight to Puriri would cost approximately 6s. 6s per 100 ft. Netherton-Turua Roads Loan.— Operations in connection with the laying of tramline had to cease owing to the sloppy nature of the ground. The workw ill, however, start again shortly if the weather keeps reasonably fine. I found the last consignment of rails supplied by John Burns and Co., Ltd., not up to standard. I wrote t,o the firm stating the facts and asking for a representative of the firm- to meet me and look over the material with a view to arranging a reduction in price. A reply has not yet come to hand. Newdick’s Deviation.—ln my last report I suggested letting the above survey stand over until the fine weather, as it was going to cost between £l6 and- £2O. While in Auckland I again approached the Lands Department for a free survey, and my request was granted,, and the plan is now ready for the signatures of your chairman and Mr Newdick. Wharepoa Ferry.—Some months back I drew your Council’s attention to the bad condition of the Wharepoa ferry and recommended a new punt I have now to report same having taken water and . sinking while lying over night on the western bank of the river. After being informed by Cr. Nicholson and Mr Dally what had taken place I advertised the ferry closed, and arranged to meet Mr J. Kennedy on the ground to make an examination. Mr Kennedy wa,s Of opinion that while repairs similar to what has since been done by Mr Dally may cause the punt to carry light traffic for another six months, or even a little longer, that there is some risk attached to the running of the present ferry. I might say, while on t,he subject, that I am pf opinion that a new punt should be taken in hand. Surfacemen’s Cottages.—l make the following recommendations regarding surfacemen’s cottages, after having gone into the matter: Cottage to be erected, on Council's property adjoining Kopuarahi Road near Mr Kneebone’s, to serve Horahia and portion of Kopuarahi ridings ; cottage erected on site at Kerepeehi to serve Kerepechi and portion of Turua ridings ; cottage on site near Netherton store to serve Netherton riding; cottage to be erected on a site adjacent to junction known as Dalgety’s. corner to serve Pipiroa riding. I Lave taken into ~account that the Turua surfaceman occupies his own house, and 1 have not included a cottage for Kopuarahi as I think that riding might be worked from Horahia and Turua. I do not think the time has yet arrived when Patetonga requires, a cottage, so I have not included that riding. A cottage will in the near fu.ture be required at Ngatea. Before closing my report I would like to say that it has come to my notice that a question has'been asked by more than one person, namely, "How was the mistake made in the height and the levels of the Netherton hopper, necessitating the road having to be excavated cut of the solid to let the' lorries under the chutes ?” In order that there should be no misunderstanding in regard to this matter I would like to point out that whether right or wrong, the hopper was completed and the excavation made exactly as I had planned. I found before starting the hopper that the height from the punt to the top at low water was considerably

great, and I set myself out to reduce the height as much as possible, and I still think that by excavating one foot where I had good drainage, and reducing the lift in proportion, the cost for removing about 75 cubic yards of earth was amply justified. In order to prove that there was no mistake I would be glad if anyone in doubt would examine the front of the hopper, and it will be found that I made provision for the excavation in the first instance by putting in an extra sill.