HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4613, 12 October 1923, Page 4

HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

BBPOBT. The hollowing report was presented by the County engineer, Mr J. Higgins, to the meeting of the Hauraki Plains County Council on Tuesday:— PUNTS. * In compliance with your instructions of last meeting I have got into touch with nearly every shipbuilding firm in Auckland with a view ,to obtaining punts under favourable conditions to meet your present requirements. To do this I had to make a visit to Auckland with the result that you have three more new punts under construction. The second-hand punt is well-built, thoroughly sound and should without any fear serve the purpose for which it is intended, The dimensions of the punt are 69 feet by 16 feet by 4 feet, and the price is £450. The arrangements provide for your council having two weeks’ trial, so that you are amply protected against completing the purchase should there be any signs o£ weakness when the punt is fully loaded with metal. Mr Darroch, shipwright, of Devonport, is the vendor. In addition to supplying the secondhand punt, Mr Darroch is supplying, subject to approval when completed, one new pontoon which is under construction at the present time, and will be ready next month. This punt is 70 feet by 19 feet by 4 feet sin„ and the price is £ll5O. I examined most of the timber that was going into this job, and I can certify to iM being good seasoned heart of kauri. In order that the financial part of the business, would be fixed up I invited Mr Darroch back with me to Ngatea, and as your chairman was present to guide the final arrangements r would suggest that he explain the position ijn regard to same. In addition to the two punts already mentioned, I have arranged with Messrs Bailey and Lowe, of Auckland, to supply two new punts under the hire purchase system. The arrangements were in the first place for punts 60£t. by 18ft. by 3ft. 3in. atthe rate of £956 each. After reconsidering the matter, I decided to increase the depth of the punts by 6in., which has increased the price by £46 10s each punt. I have found that it was difficult for Mr Kennedy to get suitable labour to assist him, in repairing punts, and in order to make more headway I have arranged for two shipwrights to come from Auckland to overhaul the county punts, all of which are out of commission. . METAL SUPPLIES. Metal supplied from the Hikutaia quarry during the month consists as follpws Hauraki Plains County, 292 cubic yards; Ohinemuri County, 150 cubic yards; repairs to Quarry ROad, 21 cubic yards; totalling 463 cubic yards. The shortage of metal for the county is due to the punts having been out of action, thus enabling the Ohinemuri County Council to receive a small supply and at the same time keep the men on hand at the quarry. Turua-Orongo Road.—Some repairs have been done on this road during the month with 80 cubic yards of metal from Thames quarries. Patetonga-Kaihere Road. —The contractor has commenced the contract for forming. Devil’s Elbow. I have arranged for two short sections to be formed on the flat before removing grader to Mangatarata. Kaihere-Ohinewai Road. —The contractor for forming this road, states that he is prepared to start before the end of the current month. Wallis’ Creek Bridge, Kaihere.—l have arranged with Messrs Cashin and Wallis to supply axe-sqiiared stringers and sills to construct bridge, 19ft. span,, on Kaihere-Wai-takaruru Road. The estimated, cost of the work is £6o'. Waitakaruru Stream Road. —Metalling repairs have been done on- this road with metal from Thames IQuarries. The 45 yards delivered by Foote Bros, were spreajd and the scow load delivered by Witnstone Ltd.' will be placed on the road: at an early date. Huirau Road. —This road has ,been repaired with metal from quarry. Tur’ua-Netherton Road, Turna Riding,—The major portion of metal supplied from Hikutaia Quarry !has Leen used on this road, and it 3s yet in bai order, and no marked, improvements made’ until the, roaSl is reformed and laid in permanent pavement. KeYepeehi Riding. — Repairs to metal have been done on KerepeehiWharepoa Road and on NethertonTurua Road. Mangatarata Stream, McDonald’s Bridge Outlet. —The outlet to bridge is now completed. Hopai Road.—s 6 cubic yards of metal have been delivered for repairs on this road. Pipiroa Main A surfaceman has been employed during the month repairing holes in the road. Wharepoa Ferry Approach Road.— Repairs, as arranged between your Council and Thames County, have been done on eastern approach. Altogether twenty yards of metal were laid, one-half cost! of which becomes a charge to the Thames County. ' EXPLANATION. Before closing my remarks I beg to contradict statements which were made by a deputation which waited upon your council, at the last meeting. It will be remembered that I was not present when the deputation was heard and it was not until afterwards that I learned that statements had been made which were npt true, so that I was placed at a disadvantage at not being able to contradict the .statements. I understand that the complaints made by the deputation were as: follows: That the work connection with the Puriri Steream and Gumtown road hoppers had not been started; My reply is that three men had beten constantly at work for fully two weeks previously. Five in connection with the Puriri Stream

the foundation of hopper made, and in addition the timber was being prepared for- .the job. The deputation complained that delays were taking place in the construction of hoppers and that the foreman of works had made a special trip to see me for the purpose of discussing the necessity of speeding the work. My reply to the charge is that it was not necessary to remind me of the necessity for speeding up the work. Further, the foreman of works will bear me out in saying that the matter he came to see me about had no reference to the construction of the hoppers. The deputation stated that Mr Cameron complained that I was was not giving him enough power in .the supervision of works, and he assures me that he did not complain that I was not giving him sufficient power. In this connection I need only read my letter of instructions to him. PATETONGA ROADS. I have inspected the roads in the above riding with a view to estimating the approximate cost for construction and metalling same. My estimates for the works are as follows :—Patetpnga Main Road (325 chains), £8691 13s 6d; Main Patetonga Road to Hill Road (40 chains), £994 9s 6d; Patetonga Wharf to Post Office Corner (200 chains), £3731 Us 6d; Post Office Corner to Hill Road (65 chains), £ll5B 9s ; Maukoro Landing Road (145 chains),, £2359 6s. Mangawhero Road (96 chains), £6464 Is 6d; Hill Road (500 chains), £lO 025; O’Dwyer’s Road, Waikak.i Stream (160 chains), £4OO ; total, £32,824 Ils. KOPUARAHT RIDING. Estimates for laying bitumen pavement, Turua town boundary towards Orongo (125 chains), £4777. TURUA! RIDING. Estimates for laying bitumen pavement from Kerepeehi Road corner towards Netherton and Main Road (180 chains), £5591 15s. NETHERTON ROADS. During the month I inspected the roads in Netherton Riding with a view to estimating the cost for laying down permanent roads. The original estimates as submitted at the meeting included approximately 21% miles of road for a cost of £43/500, and the revised estimates over ithe same distance is £52,548. It will be seen that the extra cost per chain for bitumen is approximately £7, and would eventually be the best proposition, ' , DISCUSSION. The chairman reported that he had been present with other members at the conference with Mr Darroch. After much explanation it had been agreed to purchase a second-hand punt after a fortnight's trial, for £450. The question of finance was a difficult one, and this purit would be paid for out of riding funds. , Or. Parfitt said that this was very satisfactory' and appeared to be the only solution, He moved , that the action of the .committee be approved. Cr. Hayward said that he had been opposed to second-hand punts, but had now altered his opinion. He thought the arrangement would be very satisfactory. Cr. Hare seconded the motion. Cr, Mayn considered the principal involved was bad. His riding did not require a punt. Metal for the roads of Patetpnga would be obtained without punts. He was opposed to the inclusion of the Patetonga riding. The matter was discussed at length. The clerk explained that under the Counties Act, if the punt were purchased out of the general account, it must be charged to all the ridings equally, and that the oniy alternative would be to create a special rating area and raise a loan. The motion was carried, Cr. Mayu voting against it. Cr. Madgwick said that he wished ,to contradict the statement made by the engineer in regard to the deputation from Turua. The only misstatement had been in regard to the construction of the hoppers. This had bepn due to a misapprehension. Crs. McLaughlin, Mayn, and Hayward contended that the engineer was justified in his remarks in respect to the statements of the deputation. It was decided to let the matter drop,