ROADS ON THE PLAINS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4601, 14 September 1923, Page 1

ROADS ON THE PLAINS.

DEPUTATIONS TO COUNCIL. WORK TO BE PUSHED ON. Messrs D. G. McMillan, P. R. Henry, A. Sutton, and J. Newman, representing the advisory committee for the Southern Area Roading Loan, waited upon the ’ Hauraki Plains County Council on Tuesday last and asked that the foreman, Mr Cameron, be given greater authority to go ahead with the roading scheme. He was a reliable and qualified man, and in. the committee’s opinion the county engineer was kept, too busy to give the matter close attention. The chairman pointed out that the Council had already authorised Mr Camerotn to supervise the erection of the hoppers. Cr. Madgwick suggested that the engineer be relieved of all the woiii and that it. be given to Mr Cameron. Cr. Hayward supported. Considerable discussion arose as to the cause of the delay in the construction of the hoppers. The engineer said that the contract stipulated that both hoppers were to be completed by the middle of October. A ten shillings per day penalty would be imposed after thau In regard to the metal supplies, he considered, that as there would be no punts ’available the matter was not urgent. Providing satisfactory quotes for the building of the punts yrere received, the first punt could be delivered in six weeks, the second a month later, and the third in three months’ time. Mr McMillan suggested that tenders be called for the punting of the metal. Mr Sutton suggested purchasing punts out of the loan, but it was pointed out that this could not be done. Cr. Harris suggested that tenders be called for the towing, as otherwise Tu”ua might be left. Cr. Madgwick supported this as the only solution of the problem. Cr. Hare suggested advertising throughout the whole of the North Island to purchase punts. He then moved, and Cr. McLoughlin seconded, that the Council advertise to purchase or hire suitable metal punts with a capacity of from 40 to 80 yards —Carried. The deputation then withdrew. In reference .to the further power for Mr Cameron, the engineer said that, he had found that it was in the Council’s interest to- withhold this. He had never interfered with Mr Cameron. Cr. Madgwick said that Mr Cameron did not like to suggest things to the engineer. The engineer said that he always considered suggestions from Mr Cameron and other county workmen. - A deputation from Orongo Road, comprising Messrs G. Gray and D. G. McMillan, waited upon the Council and asked the best method of picking up the £B5O grant on -the TuruaOrongo road. The chairman stated that the best way would be to take a poll. In reply to the chairman Mr Gray said that the area would be bounded by the Town Board, the Orongo southern boundary, the boundary of the Ngataipua block, and the river. Mr McMillan said that the Council should lift the grant as soon as possible. In the opinion of the Turua Ratepayers' Association such a move should not be left to ratepayers, but should come from the Council. It was decided, on the motion of the chairman, seconded. by Cr. Hayward, to take a poll. In reply to the chairman Mr Gray sard that it was intended to lay the road down in bitumen. The road would be 14 ft wide. Mr Gray asked whether the Ngatiapua Road would be metalled this year. It was required and the money was available. The chairman said tha* it was the Council’s intention to do the work this year. The trouble was that owing to the lack of punts metal could not be supplied. Cr. Hayward endorsed this, and said that it was no fault of the Council's that the work had mat already been done. The money was availableThere was going to be a big call ou Hikutaia metal. He thought that 1 it would be advisable to get metal from Thames for this work. In reply to Mr McMillan the chairman said that when tenders were called for punting metal the prices received were prohibitive.