OHINEMURI COUNTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4611, 8 October 1923, Page 1

OHINEMURI COUNTY.

ENGINEER’S BEPOBT. The following report was submitted to the Ohinemuri County Council meeting on Thursday last by the engineer, Mr E. Shaw :— O, Cummings’ contract for widening approach to Victoria Street bridge and for forming portion of Old Tauranga and Frankton roads is completed. The above contractor is now engaged (while, the grader is on the spot) reforming and widening the balance of the above roads which are to be metalled under the Frankton Road loan. A start has been made to metal the approach to the Victoria ■ Street bridge, after which the approach will be fenced on both sides. When this work is completed it will be greatly appreciated by the settlers. Re the Railway Department’s letter drawing the Council’s attention to the condition of the cap pn the Quarry bridge at Owharoa, I have examined the whole structure and find that the cap in question is .somewhat decayed, but there is a fair life in it yet, and with a little repair the bridge can be made goqjl for a few years.—The engineer was given power to act. Fire Appliances at Victoria .Hall, Waikino.—l inquired from the foreman what the position was re the above,, and he cannot, see where the Council comes in in the matter of providing Are appliances- The hall in question is privately owned and the water is laid on opposite the door, and it appears to me that it is the owners’ duty to look after 1 their own property, and not the Council’s duty, even though the Council may havs assisted in the past. The Paeroa water supply reservoir has had a thorough cleaning out on two occasions this month, and the holding capacity of the dam will greatly benefit by .the same. Main Paeroa-Waihi Road.—As a large bulk of material carted over this road is a direct benefit to mining in Waihi, apd from which your Council receives no assistance, the only contribution received being one-third of the cost between Waikino and the Waihi borough boundary, and as the road requires a large quantity of metal besides that already put on, I would recommend that the Mines Department be approached for a subsidy, & for £, as it is the policy of the department to give a grant only where mining is directly benefited, and surely this is a Case in point.—Decided to apply for a £ for £ subsidy. In company with the district mining inspector (Mr Paul) I made an inspection of Waimata and Pukewera roads on the Waihi Plains for the purpose of a report to the Department of Mines, owing to representations being made by the Council for a grant as mining timber is being carted over these roads. It was only or, Monday last that I met a settler (taking advantage of the heavy traffic by-laws being lifted) with a load of props going tp the mine after bringing them down over Pukewera Road. Also I had a ring on the ’phone on the 2nd inst, from the manager pf the Grand Junction asking permission to again ca”t on Waimata Road. I am merely mentioning these two cases as justifying our representations for a grant. Mangaiti Bridge.—During the month the western pier of the above bridge was damaged through being struck by a steamer, or punt when travelling up-stream. So far the person that caused the damage has not been traced. This bridge has been under tlie control of the Piakp County Council since April 1, 1920. I was notified by the assistant engineer of the Piako County Council of the damage, and by appointment I met him on the site and agreed to repairs being effected, but later a meeting of settlers was called by Mr F, M. Strange to which the chairmen and engineers of both counties, along with riding members, were asked to attend, and also the Public Works engineer, Mr May. The mooting took place on September 28 at Mangaiti. The chairman, who was present, will explain the object of the meeting. Re .the damage caused to Mill Road and Hubbard’s Road by carting coal to the dredges by the Public Works Department, I interviewed the resident engineer, Mr May, and brought the matter under his notice, and he expressed the opinion that the department would assist. Regarding Mill Road, it was agreed to have this work gone on with, the department to find the teams and the Council to fill the drays, and this work has been done. With regard to Hubbard’s Road, the department will notify the Council later of what assistance will be forthcoming. Abattoirs—All the necessary woodwork has been carried out and a new gutter placed between the two buildings in position in the holding pen; also four extra air spaces have been placed in the cooling room. Other improvements need to be done, and will be carried out, as time permits.