ROAD METAL FOR PLAINS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4825, 1 May 1925, Page 3

ROAD METAL FOR PLAINS

REOPENING OF HIKUTAIA QUABRT COUNCIL COMMITTEE’S DECISION.; ’ Owing to'the incre.ased cost of’road metal obtained from Puriri Creek through the excessive proportion, or dust produced in-the crushing, and in order to secure regular suppies during the winter months the Hauraki Plains County Council at. its last meeting instructed the engineer to go into the Question of reopening the Council’s quarry at Hikutaia, and a committee Was apopinted, comprising Cfs. J. 6. Miller (county chairman), W. Madgwick, H. J. Hare, T. McLoughlin/and J. H. Nicholson, with power to act A' committee meeting was held on Tuesday last, when the following report of the engineer was considered arid adopted “1 have gone carefully into the question of the development of the Hikutaia quarry with a view to making it a main source of supply for metal on the Waihou River. An examination of the . creek has also been made. After carefully considering all the different aspects of the proposition I beg to advise as.follows: “Quarry.—The old equipment to be abandoned and the quarry opened up afresh on-the eastern slope of the hill. A tramline to be laid from the ’ floor of tiie quarry .to the crusher, site on tiie bank of. creek. A portable compressor and condenser two-diill capacity—to be provided for work in the face of the quarry. Water supply to' be reorganised. Transport to consist’of nine- two-yard trucks and petrol locomotive. ’ “Crusher and Hopper.—The crus’.ier at Puriri to be reconditioned and moved to bank of Hikutaia Creek, and reflected-there on site of present landing; stage. The hew hopper -it Puriri to be dismantled and re-erect-ed at-Hikutaia with the crusher. Consideration could be given to purchase Mr Juliana elevator, as it will be necessary to provide one for Uns ■plant. •-Creek.—The creek is in fairly good order for punting, and an expenditure of about £2O should do ail that <s. . necessary. The worst aspect is the danger of Hoods, which rise to a con--sidcjrablc height. Just below ;he ■crusher site are two willows on opposite banks of the stream. These should be provided with wire hawsers ready .to be slipped over bollards on. punts when, required. . ESTIMATE OF COSTS. ■•Tramline. —20 chains at £7, £l4O : 50 chains at £l, £5O : 1250 sleepers at 3s 6d, £221; 70 chains track laying at 30s; £lO5 ; 4 sets points at £l5, £6O ; spikes, £10; oil locomotive, £650 ; 9 trucks at £-10, £360; cartage and freight,'£loo ; total, £1696. ' “Crusher and Hopper.—Dismantling crusher anil hopper, carting to Hikula>a, and re-assembling, £l5O ; screen, ?5"0; elevator, £3OO ; shoots for sand ai d rejects. £5O ; 40-h.p. motor install led; £225 : motor house,. £75 ; wate .' supply, £l5 ; total, £865. . “Quarry.—Opening of new face, rim); compressor and drills, £3OO ; spare drills, £lO ; water, £5O; piping, £25 ; total, £485. “Summary. — Tramline. £1696; crusher and hopper. £865; quarry, “485 ; contingencies, £304 ; total, £2350," . .