PLAINS COUNTY WORKS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4853, 15 July 1925, Page 3

PLAINS COUNTY WORKS.

— 0 ” ENGINEER'S REPORT. The eountj’ engineer, Mr F. Basham, reported to the Hauraki Plains County Council meeting yesterday, as follows :— “Ngatea Riding.—All roads, have been patched, and (similar work is still in progress. In the spring I propose scarifying the road through the township,' breaking all big stones, widening sides with new metal, and rolling and blinding with red giavei. “Waitakaruru, Pipiroa, and Horahia Ridings.—All metal roads have been put in repair. "Kopuarahi Riding.—Repairs to metal roads are in progress. If the weather remains fine I propose raking in metal and blinding with led metal the unblinded portion of Orongo Road. This road will shortly require facing with metal and gravel. “Netherton Riding.—Work on the main Turua-Paeroa road has ceased and the road is now in fair order. Repairs to metal on Awaiti Road have been done, and grass has been removed from the sides and loose metal raked in.

“Hikutaia Quarry.—Wet weather delayed work. Formation work on the tram from quarry to crusher site is completed, and the face of the quarry has been opened up. A fine body of metal is exposed. Work on the tram from the-creek to the crusher will be commenced this week. Sleepers are at the Hikutaia station, "Grader. —The grader is working in the Ngatea and Pipiroa ridings, and should finish work for the winter this week. I would suggest that another tractor be procured, as. there is too much work for one plant to cope with. We already have the grader. It would also be advisable to procure a travelling hut for the men in charge of the plant to camp in when away from home. A suitable hut could be constructed on an old motor truck chassis at a small cost.” The engineer was authorised .to •seek a suitable chassis.

Members agreed that another ti actor was a sound propositio-n, and the matter was left to the engineei. The engineer suggested that the council obtain some 3ft or 4ft concrete pipe moulds. iOn wet days the employees could be employed makiiie pipes at the depot. A saving of 100 per cent, could be effected. The engineer was. instructed to get quotations. Cr. Madgwick urgedi that the work at Hikutaia be speeded up by employing extra labour if possible. It was necessary that the production of metal should be commenced as soon as possible. The engineer was instructed to employ extra labour if it would be o.f advantage. ' The engineer stated that he had not reported on improving the dangerous corners near the Kopuhrani school as there had been too much water to investigate the position. reply to Cr. Harris the engineer said he had submitted proposals w regard to the two bridges at Waitakarnru. ~ Cr. Harris said that the bridges were dangerous, and the public should be notified of the fact. It was decided to post notices.