THAMES COUNTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4888, 9 October 1925, Page 3

THAMES COUNTY.

MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING, Tlie regular meeting of the Thames County Council w,as held yesterday, Cr.H. Lowe presiding over Crs. J. McCormick, A. Alley, W. Brunton, F. J. McMahon, H. Cory-Wright, G. Cribb, and Cox. The clerk, Mr H. T. G. McElroy, and the engineer, Mr J. Higgins, were in attendance. A COUNTY ROAD.

A special meeting was held prior to the ordinary meeting and the following motion was carried : “That the road from the foot of the Neavesville hill on the Tairua side .to the boundary .of the Thames County at Tairua to be declared a county road.” ACCESS TO SPORTSGRQUND.

A request was received on behalf of the Thames Rugby Union that the council apply to t he Railway Department for an open crossing to .the new sportsground. As the crossing would not be granted unless there was at least five chains of rq.ad, the council was asked its requirements in regard to metalling, so that the road could be dedicated. The matter was referred to the engineer for a report. MENACE TO BRIDGES.

In reply to the council’s letter the Turua Town Board wrote advising that it would not be held resopnsible for any damage that might be .caused bridges by punts, as it was not operating. Contracts had been let. The chairman said that the localbodies only could be held responsible. They should hold their servants and contractors responsible .to them. Cr. Cox stated that pontoons were frequently moored above the bridges, and-,to .the groynes. In reply to Cr. McCormick the chairman said that the council intended going on with the matter of the destruction, of the Kauaeranga. bridge. Evidence was being collected, but the Mayor had been away so much that the matter was proceeding very slowly. FINANCE. The Finance Committee recommended that accounts totalling £2671 13s 2d on the Fund account, £312 12s lOd on the Matatoki Quarry account, and £331 14ts on the Roads and Bridges account be passed for payment. — Adopted. • THE MAIN ROAD. The engineer (Mr J. Higgins) reported to the council as follows : — “Matatoki Quarry.—The construction of the .tramline is being carried out from both ends, and the excavation for the hopper site is in progress, but owing to unfavourable weather progress hap been slow. Timber for the hoppers and bridges is due to arrive. The crushing plant will be brought on to .the site when the hopperp are ready.

"Kopu-Paeroa Highway.—The contractor for carting and breaking metal at Puriri has done 732 cubic yards, which is a poor showing. I would suggest that tenders be called for the supply of metal for use at Hikutaia, as it is not likely tnat regular supplies will be available from the Hauraki Plains County Council’s quarry. . Water-tables and culverts are receiving attention. Repairs to metal have been done in Hikutaia riding, cubic yards of metal having been used. Proposals for forming 471 chains, 18ft wide, and metalling first course 14ft by 3in have been forwarded to the Public Works Department for approval. I estimate the work to cost £10,4(00.

“It is my intention to reduce the grades on most of the hills and make the road right through as level as possible. This will entail much work, and only a few portions of the road can be treated and bitumenrsealed during the coming summer.”

After considerable discussion as to whether bitumen work should be done at Hikutaia or at Puriri during the coming summer, it was decided that metal be shifted from Puriri and used at Hikutaia.