HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4627, 19 November 1923, Page 4

HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer (Mr J. Higgins) to the Hauraki Plains County Council submitted the following report to the last County meeting :— Turua-Netherton Roads Loan. Tne foreman of works reported : “The tramline on Orchard East Road is nearing completion, there being five chains yet to do on Orchard East Read. The rails procured for the tramline at Hikutaia have been transferred on to this road. One hundred and eighty-nine barrels of bitumen obtained from Ellis and Co. have arrived on the ground. The Puriri hopper i,s completed, with the exception of one or two small items, and the hopper at Gumtown road will be completed about the 21st inst. Breast work in the nature of piling and sheeting at Gumtown hopper is completed. The contractor for supplying metal has arrived at Puriri, and will be ready to commence supplying metal by the time the other arrangements are completed. I have entered into negotiations with Messrs RAicken and Son to supply truck wheels and bearings to be made up for delivering metal. Quotes for same are to be supplied at a later date. The tar sprayer has arrived on the works.”

Patetonga-Kaihere Road. —The contractor has made a start on straightening the Devil’s Elbow and grading the road at the pound. Very slow progress has been made, and I have told the contractor that unless the grader work is, expedited other arrangements for carying out the wok will be made. I have also arranged for a culvert in front of the Patetonga pound.

Wallis’ Bridge, Kaihere.—The timber for this bridge has arrived at Kaihere wharf, and I am endeavouring to have the bridge erected as soon as possible. Improvements to the approach of the bridge will be put in hand when the grader is released from Patetonga.

Kaihere-Ohinewai Road. —The contractor has promised to commence formation of this road by 15th inst.. Mahuta Bridge Repairs.—The timbar for the necessary repairs to the bridge has been on the site for some time, but the work cannot be gone on with until the pile driver is released from works that are being caried out in connection with the Turua roads loan.

Back Miranda Road—The surfaceman has resumed work here with a view to completing the work authorised some months back, Miranda-Waitakaruru Road.— The small bridge, 20ft. span, is now being erected, and the road will soon be fit for necessary work in the nature of formation and metalling. I have given effect to your Council’s instructions to erect hopper at the quarry; the timber and ironwork has been on or-’er for some time and the labour for construction is arranged. Thirds.—l have prepared a list showing the amounts available for expenditure in Waitakaruru, Ngatea, Pa'otonga ridings. Waltakaruru-Pipiroa Road.—A surfaceman has been engaged constantly dining the month repairing holes in the metal. The material used is being gathered out of the. old dumps along the road side and contains gravel and round metal. The latter is being broken to about two inches. In order to proceed with this work while the county horses were engaged elsewhere Or. Parfit has, at much inconvenience to himself, lent his horse and dray for the necessary carting. I hope to release Mr Parfitt’s outfit within a few days.

Ngatea Bridge.—Repairs to the bridge have been carried out under Mr Clare, with the result, that the centre span can be freely lifted and lowered. The gates bn the bridge have also been moved to a position that will be more convenient and that will better suit their purpose. I got Mr Clare to examine and report on the general condition of the bridge and the work necessary to put it in good order. The work is estimated to cost £59, and I would recommend that the work be carried out. Orchard East Road.—The contract let to H. Johnstone for cleaning and widening drain is now completed, an I the metalled road between bridge and Parry’s corner has been repaired. Metalling Repairs.—The following roads have received attention during the month : Oronga, Netherton-Turua (Turua section), Kerepeehi (Kerepeehi .section), Netherton-Turua (Nctherton section), Netherton-Puke, Kopuarahi (Horahia section), Kopuarahi (Kerepeehi section), Ngatea bridge to Pipiroa riding boundary. Ngatipua East Road.—The old wood bridge at Gray’s corner has. outlived its usefulness, and I have replaced it with 2ft. concrete pipes. I have also ordered planks to repair decking in bridge Joining Orongoßoad.. Council Chambers—The concrete pipes for the culvert fronting the new council chambers are on hand and the timber and material for concrete haunching and parapet are expected pn the site within a few days. Metal Supplies.—ln company witlh Cr. Hayward I visited the site of the new <inarry that is being developed at Kauaeranga Valley, the object being to ascertain the quality of the metal, the costs on county punts, or, if possible, a quote for delivering and. the earliest date for supply. We were favourably impressed witjh the prospects of the quarry, there being every indication of an unlimited quantity of good hard stone, and as the work is in capable hands, who own the I property, I think that supplies are ' assured. The price is 9s 6d per cubic yard from the trucks, or 10s at Shortland, the latter being Is per cubic yard better than Thames Quarries. The company is, however, unable to deliver the metal, and as we have no spare punts. I am afraid that unless arrangements for transit can be made elsewhere the matter will have to stand in abeyance. Bitumen Roads—During the month I have compiled the following estimates : • Kopuarahi-Kerepeehi Road from Horahia Riding boundary to

Innes’ corner, 106 chains long by 12ft wide, £3145 16s ; Wharepoa-Kerepeehi Road, from Turua Riding boundary to Innes’ corner, 72 chains by 12ft, £2011; Innes’ corner to the Kerepeehi wharf, 100 chains by 12ft, £2660 13s , Hamilton’s Road, 45 chains 10ft wide by Din deep, £1316 17s 6d.

INSPECTOR’S REPORT.

The county inspector (Mr W. JClare) reported as follows:— The workmen’s houses at Waitakaruru and Ngatea have been completed by the contractor and taken over by your Council, the pound and fencing at Waitakaruru have also been completed. The Council Chambers have been shifted to the new site to make room for t,he new offices, and the contractor has made a beginning with this contract. I have been instructed to proceed with the work of approach to the new offices, and all the false timber is now on the site, and a start will be r ade in the course of a day or two. Fourteen building permits have been issued during the month, consisting of additions to houses, three new dwelling houses, one shop and dwelling, and the balance chiefly cowsheds, to the value of £2lOB 16s 6d. The straying stock nuisance has taken up a good deal of time during the month, and the. biggest portion of :<he roads in the ccuritiy have been visited. Nine tprosecutions have been handed to the county solicitor. Twelve horses and one bull w'ere impounded in the Paeroa pound and f.-ur cows and one horse in the Ng'itea pound. The above prosecutions are fpr straying stock on county roads and Turua Town Board area. Fourteen dogs have been registered during the month, bringing the total to 728. The nuisance I mentioned in my last report, re pigs destroying drain banks at Kaihere has been abated. Twelve vehicles have been licensed during the month and the fees collected amounted to £l6.