PLAINS COUNTY WORKS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4822, 13 March 1925, Page 1

PLAINS COUNTY WORKS.

WORK OF THE MONTH. ENGINEER’S REPORT. Tiie county engineer reported to the council on Tuesday as follows : —

Tractor and Grader.-—During the month the tractor and grader worked on the Pokeno and Miranda Roads, and is now on the approaches to McDonald’s bridge on the Morrinsville Road.

Water Cart. -I have been requested by tiie Mayor of Paeroa to ascertain whether the council would sell tiie water cart, and if so at what, price.— The engineer was authorised to arrange a sale.

Turua-Netherton-Paeroa Road. — The Paeroa Borough Roller will be available in about ten days’ time, when I propose to. commence scarifying and reforming road, provided labour can be obtained.

Implement tsiieii.—Steps should be taken to provide for tiie ccftitruction of a concrete floor before .the weather gets too bad to permit carting ot shingle, of which 55 yards will be required. The forming and metalling of approach road to- shed should also receive consideration. —The engineer was instructed to have the work done.

Maintenance Metal. —I shall be glad of instructions as to procuring the necessary metal for the coming winter, and suggest that crushed metal and red metal be procured, for delivery at tiie following landings; Pipiroa, Kopuarahi, Ngatea, Kerepeehi, and Netherton—ln reply to Cr., McLoughlin the engineer said that lie, could profitably use more metal than could be paid for. The question was to know how much money was available. The clerk suggested that a committee be appointed to go into the niattei. They could ascertain from each councillor the requirements of his riding. The. chairman, engineer, and clerk were appointed the committee.

Ngatea Traffic Bridge.—l have inspected tiie decking of approaches of this bridge and recommend that they be planked with 2-inch brush box 12 ft. wide, tiie grades on either side being 1 in 12, .are steeper than the recognized limit for bitumen surfacing. The cost would be about £75.— The engineer was instructed to experiment with bitumen in tiie wheel rubs. Tiie cost would only be a few pounds, but there was a likelihood that tiie bitumen would not adhere. Kaihere-Ohinewai. —The contractor for metalling on this road is making very satisfactory progress. Pukahu Road.—Satisfactory progress lias been made on this road Miranda-Waitakaruru Road. —Good progress has been made with the metalling on this road. The uninetalled part is completed, and the oid gravel portion is being repaired. New metal will be extended so far as money available will permit Tenders have been called for formation work and raising roads above the tide level, but none had been received. LOAN WORKS. Turiia Town District. —Contractors have completed their contract from Willow drain to .the northern boundary of the town district with the following reservations : A small distance at tiie intersection of the Piako and Haurahi Roads. The first 12 chains of road laid to be swept and to receive another coat of bitumen and .chips. Depressions in the road south of Piako road to be made good. Turiia-Orongo. Road. —A start, liais been made on this road, and contractors state their intention to push .011 with the work as rapidly as possible. One scow of metal has been received from Wanganui Island, Turua-Nethcrton. —Since the last meeting poor progress has been made. Delivei-y of metal has been worse during the last two weeks than at ,any time during existence of present contract. The problem of metal supplies in sufficient quantities and regularity has not yet been solved, the only solution being to have large supplies of metal on hand before a iob is commenced Carter’s Corner.—Ah agreement had been made whereby the council contributed £35 towards the cost of removing the spoil from the drain at Carter’s corner.