OHINEMURI COUNTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4672, 10 March 1924, Page 4

OHINEMURI COUNTY.

ENGINEER’S REPORT. The county engineer, Mr E. Shaw, presented the following report to the monthly meeting of the Ohinemuri County Council on Thursday last:— Plans and specifications have been forwii tiled to the Public Works Department for apprpval for forming and ei’lverting lit) chains of WaihiW'langamata Road. Brenan and Co’s, contract for metalling Old Tauranga Road under the Frankton Road Loan is completed. J. J. Birch's contract for metalling Fraifkton Road is progressing satisfactorily, but the formation is of such nature that the leas! rain stops the carting, and I am allowing the contractor to cart over the metal so as to try and complete the metalling before the winter. Bi-enaa and contract for metalling the Pacroa-Tc Aroha Road at Waitoki "S progressing as well as the supplies at metal will permit. Owing ‘.o the carting of the metal over the unmctallcJ portion of this road and the state it was left in after last winter I would recommend that the grader be put on for a few days on completion of the above contract. Fresh tendeis ate called for metalling Puke to Hubbard’s’road. which close at 2 p.m. this day.

Accrued thirds amounting to the sum of £63 have come to hand for the •half year ending September 30, 1923. A scheme for its expenditure has been prepared and forwarded for approval to the Land Board, Auckland.

The longitudinal hardwood decking has been placed in position on the Puke Bridge, which will 1 make better running and add to the life of the bridge.

I wish to bring under your council’s notice the urgent necessity of: again bringing the matter up of an overhead bridge over the Old Taurang head bridge over the railway crossing on the Old Tauranga Road. This matter was brought before the Railway Department some years ago,” and they then asked the Council for half the cost. 1 may mention that before the advent of the lailway this was the best part of the road, but the department found it necessary to cut through this portion, making a deep cutting. They deviated the load to the railway level, making a steep grade, on either side and it is impossible to sec the train until you are on the line ; in fact, >t is recognised as the most dangerous, level crossing in the district. The increased traffic on this road warrants some protection.

Re Mrs Smeaton's application for road to her section in Blocks VI, Aroha.—l visited the district ami found the road .mentioned in her lerter is not under the council’s control, but in the hands of the Public Works Department.

Owharoa Footbridge.—Considerable correspondence has passed between the District Engineer of Railways and the council re the above bridge as regards its safety and holding the council responsible for any damage that may occur through it collapsing. In my opinion with a’ few pounds spent on same would suffice for some time- and it is in no immediate danger. As this bridgc ; gives access only to one person, and does not connect up with any road, I communicated w.ith this person to pay half the cost of repairs, if not, tlie bridge would be condemned, and he refused to pay anything. Access to his holding can bo given from the Waitawheta bridge, and a day or two’s work will put the track in order, which will satisfy him. In face of the above I would recommend that the bridge be pulled down so as to save any further expense now and in' the future.

As req nested by the Main Highways Board a'week’s tally of all traffic was taken at three points, namely, PaeroaTe Aroha, Paeroa-Waihi, and Waiiii Tauranga.

Re Rising Sun Crossing.—l am assured by the management of the mine that all care is taken to protect the public when the rake of trucks approaches the main road from underground

Paeroa, Water Supply.—l made mention a: the last meeting of the council re the foundation of the reservoi”, but at the time was unable to see to what extent the effect of the backwash had on the same. I had a channel put up and tapped the water directly in front of the dam rests on had been in front of the dam, and found that the soft papa rock on which the dam rests had been eaten well under its foundation.- On seeing this no time was lost in mailing g'od the damage with concrete. Owing to the leaks through the fissures of rock it made the work of concreting very difficult. /V little more work -remains Io be done, and when completed it will he quite safe from any further trouble. Owing to the dry spell of late the pressure had got very low and the dam showed signs that a considerable wastage was going, on. An inspection of the consiimeis was made, and revealed the cause of this, and it was found necessarj' in some cases to take extreme measures and cut off those who did not moke the required repairs. The result was that the dam was .soon back- io normal.

Re Power for Crusher.. —I had an interview with Mr McLeod, the Thames Valley Power Board’s enigineel', on the matter and his estimate's before you.