OHINEMURI COUNTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4736, 11 August 1924, Page 1

OHINEMURI COUNTY.

*. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The Ohinemuri County Engineer, Mr E. Shaw, reported at last Thursday’s meeting of the council as follows : ‘•‘Proposals for the expenditure m £l5O, £ for £, for metalling Station Road, Mangaiti, have been sent for approval. I have made a survey of Pukekauri Road, known as Yearbury’s Road, and the necessary plans, etc., will be prepared at an early date and sent for approval. There is a grant of £2OO on the Estimates for the completion of this road under theWaitawheta Block.

“Representations have been made to the Mines Department for assistance towards repairing flood damage on Maratoto Road, and Hill Road, Karangahake. A grant of £lOO is given for the former, and £5O, £ for £. offered for Hill Road. Although only £5O free money was asked for, the Minister offers £5O, £ for £. I would suggest that the council refuse this offer, and that a straight-out grant be asked for, as this road gives acces> to the Crown Mines, and to a company just formed locally to develop the Imperial Mine in the same vicinity, and prospects in this quarter look bright for the future. As it is the policy of the Mines Department to give assistance only where pros-' pecting or mining is carried on, surely this is a case in point.—Decided to decline £ for £ and aek for a straightout grant.

“A portion of Puke Road is in need of scarifying and rolling; also a por-' tion of the Paeroa-Tte Aroha road at Endeans. I would recommend that the roller be put on for the balance of this month. The former road is under Schedule A and Main Highways, and ; the latter one third of the cost under Main Highways.—Decided to scarfiy Paeroa-Te Aroha portion only: in the meantime.

“The water supply at what is known as Scotchman’s Gully, at Karangahake, has been restored. This was damaged by recent floods through a huge slip carrying away some 20'0ft of the 2in main and burying it, and also completely blocking the RotpkohaHill Road for some chains.

“Paeroa Water Supply.—The 2in main that crosses the Ohinemuri River and supplies the natives and others on the western side of the river at Mpananui Flat, and which is supported by a %in flexible steel cable, was carried away lately through the cable giving way at the anchorage. Temporary repairs were effected, and I intend renewing both anchorages and restoring the cable at an early date.

“Temporary repairs have been effected to the Komata bridge. A new stringer has been put in and the centre pier strengthened.

Tn connection with, the deviation of 10% chains required on Rahn Road I And that the road will pass for a short distance through two small" unoccupied sections. Before going on with, the work I would ask the counpermission to allow me to negotiate with the owners to let the road pass through—failing a satisfactory settlement, to take the same under the Public Works Act.—Agreed to. “I wish to ask your permission to erect, a small hopper at the Komata Creek capable of holding about 10 cubic yards of metal. This can be kept full during crushing operations so as to save expense in filling. The material can be got reasonably from Ka rai • gah akel—Granted. “Complaint was made by the Northern Steam Ship Co. re the fender planks being knocked off and the boltheads interfering with the vessels passing through. I have had the trouble remedied for the time being. “A considerable amount of -metal has been placed bn various roads in the county during the month. I am giving the gravel out of the Ohinemuri River at Karangahake a trial in repairing holes on the PaeroaWaihi road between Paeroa and Karangahake Gorge. If this should prove successful there is plenty of it to be had, and it can be put on cheaply.”