HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4601, 14 September 1923, Page 4

HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

ENGINEER’S REPORT. The County Engineer, Mr J. Higgins, reported to the Hauraki Plains County Council meeting on Tuesday last as follows :— Metal Supplies.—Tn regard in supplies coming to hand, I might mention that during the month I got into touch with Mr Winstone, of Auckland, who had two scows at Thames. I cot a promise that a scow load of metal would be deliverd at Turua and another to Newman’s Road, resulting in one scow load only being delivered to Turua to be used on the Turua-Oronga Road. In regard to supplies from Hikutaia quarry, I am pleased to report that I have arranged for W. Ludwig to be taken in as a partner in the contract for punting metal from Hikutaia jetty. I find in consequence that, notwithstanding the fact that only two punts are in commission, since the new arrangemetnts have been carried into effect the work has proceeded very satisfactorily. There is some satisfaction in this, which, together with previous exeprience, goes to prove that in this connection there are two essentials .bearing equal importance, namely : Adequate supply of punts in good order to commence with,, and a capable punt man who can be relied upon to use good care and judgment in the carrying ou,t of his work. When we have accomplished this I have no reason to doubt that a steady supply of metal will come down the Hikutaia Stream, and the cost of maintenance of punts will be reduced to a minimum; Punts.—Repairs tp the two disabled punts are to oe completed by Mr John Kennedy, one of which is on the Public Works slip at the Puke, and would be back in commission, but unfortunately Mr Kennedy has been ill with influenza, but he expects to be at work again in a day. Turua-Netherton Road. —This road is undergoing repairs to metal between Carter’s Corner and Kerepeehi Road Corner. Repairs have also been done on small sections between the hopper and Carter’s corner. I would ■recommend that only the worst) holes be repaired now with a view to reforming the road and scarifying in advance of repairs as far as funds will permit Orongo Road; —The road between Turua Town boundary and Orongo :s now being repaired with metal from Thames quarries, the metal having been carried by sco>v. Drains. — Contract for cleaning School road drain, Netherton, is completed. Settlers request that the drain on the south side of the road bet.ween Mr Read’s and Public Works cut be dene. The drain is approximately 30 chains long, and as I consider the work would improve the road I would recommend that it be done on £1 for £1 basis. Hoppers.—The contractor (Mr W. H. Taylor) for erecting hoppers, one at Puriri and one at Newman’s road, has the work under way, and I. estimate that the work will be completed by the middle of October. Tram Line.—Work in connection with tram line has been resumed. I have authorised the foreman of works to purchase , 1000 sleepers to complete the line' to the extent of rails that are available. The rails at Hikutaia will be moved to Newman’s landing by the time they are required. Huirau Road. —This road has been practically impassable. Repairs which have been delayed on account of no metal are now receiving attention. Kaihere Road.—Tenders have been called to close at your meeting on the 11th inst. for reforming the whole of the Kaihere Road from the post office to the top of the saddle. Mahuta Road I have examined the proposals, to place- fascines on soft portions along t,he read, and I find that due tp the fine weather the road is much improved, and I would recommend that the expenditure be held over and put towards grader work, which I purpose carrying out. during the season. Pipiroa Road.—The surfaceman and county dray have been engaged during part of the month repairing metal between Pipiroa Road corner and Waitakaruru. The road is much improved, and I have withdrawn the man to go in the meantime on to the roller in the Netherton riding. Kopuarahi Road.—Repairs to metal through Horahia riding have been done and a small surplus cf metal is on hand for further requirements. Kaihere-Patetonga . Road.—Pipes have been ordered for filling what is locally known as Devil’s Elbow, and I hope to see the formation started during the current month. I purpose putting a concrete box culvert 6ft by 6ft waterway in Wallis’ small creek to replace the present wooden culvert, which is dangerous for traffic. I estimate the work to cost £l5O. Patetonga Quarry.—Having done all the prospecting necessary, I have knocked off the men that were engaged on the work. There are several matters in connection with this subject that may be discussed, during the meeting. Waitakaruru Stream Road. —.The contract let to J, Ryan for cleaning Stretton’s drain is now under way. The cleaning of the drain on the south side of the road is held in abeyance pending the settlers agreeing to pay half cost for doing the work. I have arranged with Foote Bros., Thames, to convey one puntload of metal from Thames quarries for repairs to the roadway. Miranda-Waitakaruru Road. — I have received advice that the hardwood timber ordered for the bridge has arrived in Auckland, and if not already at, Waitakaruru! it will be there at an early date. I purpose letting a contract during the month for the balance of authority that is available for metalling the road. Kerepeehi Road.. —Metal is now to hand at Wharepoa for repairs to the road and the work wlil be completed within a short space of time. •Waitakaruru Pound. —The contract has been let for fencing .the pound site, and the erection of the shed will

be taken in hand when the surfaceman’s house is completed. Proposals.—l shall be glad to receive authority to lei contracts tor Wallis’ creek culvert, Kaihere,, and for formation of Stop-bank Road, Netherton. Cr. Hare moved that the engineer be instructed to do the formation of the Ngararahi stop-bank road provided the cost could be borne out of th« £6OO grant for thatt, road. —Carried. Crs. McLoughlin, Mayn, and Hare spoke on the state of Wallis’ bridge, contending that the present wooden structure was unsafe for traffic. Cr. McLoughlin said that pipes would be cheaper than the proposed concrete culvert. The matter was left, in the hands of the engineer and riding member to go into. Tn reply to Cr. Madgwick the clerk said that there was no infoijmation in the office in respect to metal supplies from Puriri. Cr. Hayward said that there were ruts in the Orongo road th a': needed filling in. The matter was left in the hands of the chairman. Cr. Hare moved that the Council do the drain from the south side of the road from Mr Reid’s to the Public Works Department cut provided the settlers found the money on a £ for £ basis. —Carried. Cr. Madgwick moved that M’r Comeron be authorised to supervise and push the construction of hoppers at Puriri and Newman’s Road. —CarriedCr. Madgwick moved that the contractor be asked to be sure and start construction of hoppers or. time.— Carried. Cr. Mayn moved, and Cr. McLoughlin seconded, that -the engineer be instructed to see that the contractor started operations at the Devil’s Elbow as soon as possible.—Carried. The report was adopted subject to the foregoing resolutions.