PLAINS COUNTY WORKS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4823, 22 April 1925, Page 4

PLAINS COUNTY WORKS.

ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer (Mr F, Basham) reported to the Hauraki Plains County Council meeting on Thursday last as follows :—

"Batetpnga Riding.—The. contractor has completed the pound filling alhd gravelled seven chains of road. Good progress is being made on the Devil’s Elbow deviation.

“Ngutea Riding.—Contractors have made satisfactory progress with the metalling of lOhinewai and Morrinsville Roads.

“Waitakaruru Riding.—The grader has been at work on by-roads, and is now’ on the main highway, Pokeno io Paeroa. Filling at McDonald’s bridge is completed. Settlers did good work o-u the metalling of Miranda Road, which its now continuous to C. Coxhead’s gate.” Cr. Harris said that ho wished to express the appreciation of the ratepayers of liis riding for the work done

recently. The roads were never .in so good an orddr as at present, and were indeed first-class for clay roads. He' iwshed to congratulate the engineer. The work on the Miranda road had been carried out as expeditiously as possible, and the job was very satisfactory. Now that the road had been metalled as. far as the road leading to the quarryJie would suggest thin stepjs be taken to secure winter maintenance metal. It .might be advisable to metal the road or lay a tramline.

The engineer was instructed to repot t.

Cr. Hare also congratulated the engineer, and pointed out the advantage of having graders and tractors available.

The engineer said that a tractor and grader could be used to advantage practically continuously on the hill country. One or two plants would be desirable for the Plains proper.

Cr. McLoughlin pointed out the necessity for more culverts in the hill country.

The engineer agreed that a great

many more culverts were necessary. It was no use grading up a road on which, the culverts were half a mile apart../. ‘Nethcrton Riding.—The contractor has completed forming and sanding on Pukahu Road, but final inspection has yet to be made. The contractor has commenced work on Fisher’s Road, and should complete same if allowed about ton days of fine weather. , LOAN WORKS. “Turua-Orongo Roads, Piako. —Very poor progress has been made on these roads. The contractors are experiencing great difficulty in obtaining supplies of satisfactory metal. I have had to condemn that from Wanganui Island, and refuse to allow it to be used in the body of the road, but wiH accept it for filling holo,s in subgrade. About 80 chains of road has been formed and the first coat of metal laid.”

in reply to Cr. Hayward the engineer said that metal supplies for Tu'ua-Orongo Road were more unsatisfactory than ever. The contractors were exploiting various sources, but lie had had to condemn the metal for other than bottom course work. “Piako Road. —No work has bben done on this road with the exception of the worst holes being filled in and the road patched. “Turua-Netherton Road.—On Hauraki Road a further distance of 62 chains has been metalled, making a total distance of 82 chains south of Orchard East Road. The bitumen course on Orchard East Road is now hr progress.

‘‘Machinery Shed.— l have ordered the shingle for the concrete floor at Ils 6d a yard. I expect same to be delivered any day now. The road into the shed will be graded as sono as the grader is available. I expect this will be in a few days’ time, “Piako Rivet Wharves. —I have inspected these, and estimate the eppts of repairs as follows : Patetonga £lB, Kaihere £5O, Kerepeehi £2O and £35, Puhang.a £25, Johnstone’s £l5, Patil’s £2O, Horahia £5, Rawerawe £5, Hopai £7, Pipiroa £4O, Shelly Beach £2O, Waitakaruru £5O; total, £310.” Cr. Hayward moved that a commietee comprising Crs. Parfitt, McLoughlin, Miller, Hayward, Harris, and Nicholson be set up to go into the whole matter and report.

Seconded by Cr. McLoughlin and carried.