ROADING AND DRAINAGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4633, 3 December 1923, Page 4

ROADING AND DRAINAGE.

OFFICIAL VIEW’ OF CONDITIONS. ANSWER TO DEPUTATION. Confirming in writing the result of an interview between Messrs F. L Mayn, T. McLoughlin, and C. W. Harris (representing the Hauraki Plains County. Council and the settlers of Patetonga) and the Minister of Lands in Wellington some time ago, the Chief Drainage-engineer, Mr O. N. Campbell, wrote as follows : — “Efosibn at Concrete Bridge on Ngarua Road.—This was due to some timber and debris which was blocking the water, waterway but which has now been removed. “ Waikaka Skew Bridge.—lt is considered that the amount of traffic, passing over this structure does not. warrant the widening and straightening suggested.-. ‘ Concrete Bridge, Waikaka. —It is not considered 1 necessary to erect a concrete wall as suggested. All that is required is a few barrow loads of earth to raise the roadside to the general level of the stream banks. It must be remembered that these two, last mentioned bridges are on a county road.’ The land bn both'sides is freehold and was never owned by the Crown, and was therefore rateable by the local body. The cost of these bridges and the metalling of the road has been entirely found by this Department'. '• Kopuraruwai Drain (Price’s)' — This drain is subject to slips caused by seepage from the surrounding wet bush-covered land. Were the owner to fence; the drain it would probably be more easily maintained in an efficient state. As it is, the drain is receiving constant.attention. " Metalling Roads in Awaiti Block. —I have no knowledge of any promise made., by the Minister that all the roads in-this, block would be metalled. It appears to me that this block has received a fair proportion of the expenditure on metalling on the Plains. “ Road, west side Maukoro-Waitaka-. ruru Canal.—The spoil for the permanent road on this .location is to be obtained-by further canal dredging. Until.-this is done permanent works in the way of metalling cannot be undertaken. “ Shelly-Beach-Ngatiapua Flooding. —The ' question of flooding in this locality is being investigated. While not denying that additional outlets would be of benefit it appears to me that were the existing outlets in an efficient state much of the trouble would be overcome. This particularly refers to the two outlets through the Kopuarahi blocks which are unfenced and. being in shell bank country, are soon destroyed by wandering stock. The lands in this vicinity were disposed of at very low values and there are no funds available to meet further expenditure. However, as already stated, the question is being investigated, and proposals will- likely be placed before the interested settlers at an early date.. . “Patetonga North-Ngarua RoadAll sections in this locality are already served with road access, and the question of improvements is a matter for the settlers themselves, or otherwise the local .body. The deviation referred to would be costly, but if the Council decided to proceed with, the work it. would be justified in asking for a subsidy out of the Public Works fund. “Ngarua Road Metalling.—-The metalling of the western end of this road, which was "not completed last year, will be completed this coming year.”