WORKS IN THE COUNTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4911, 4 December 1925, Page 3

WORKS IN THE COUNTY.

OHINEMUIU ROADS AND BRIDGES. ENGINEER’S REPORT. At yesterday’s meeting of the Ohinemuri County Council, the engineer (Mr E. Sha.w) reported as follows :— “Fresh tenders were called for Ford Road, Waihi. There was, only one tender received, that of H. Ashby at 10s per yard, which was accepted. "Plana and specifications were sent forward for approval to .the Public Works Department for forming, culverting, and erecting two platform bridges on Davidson’s Roa.d, Waihi ; also for erecting a bridge over Waitoki Stream on Old Te Aroha Road, Mangaiti. “There are in the hands of the Public Works Department several) works that are awaiting approval and authority, as follows: Deviation of WaihiWhangamata Road; metalling main Paeroa-Te Aroha road at Waitoki; ‘■forming, culverting, and metalling Waitawheta-Waihi road; metalling Farrelly’ts Road, Waikino ; metalling Ryall’s Road; Paeroa; metalling Putfewera Road, Waihi.”

Cr. S. H. Morgan voiced his, protest at the delay by the department ifi approving the grants, and pointed out 4-hat a fair amount of the work could be done only during the summer months, and the council, was losing valuable time. He moved that the cooperation of Mr A. M. Samual, M.P., be sought with a view! to getting the department to expedite the granting of authority to, have the works put in hand. , . . Seconded by Cr. A. R. Robinson and carried.

"The following works are also let and are being proceeded with : Metalli ng Waimata Road, Ford Road,/and 'Trig Road ; forming, culverting, and bridging Paterson’s Road —all of Waihi— and the raising of the formation at Waitoki. This latter work was nearing completion, but' owing to the wet weather the contractor, found it necessary to- remove his plant until better condition® prevail. It yill only be a matter of a few days and the contract will be completed. It will be, necessary to have some extra spoil, placed on that portion of the old formation which is. being carted over in readiness for the metal. The balance of the formation is now being prepared by the surfacemen in anticipation of the metalling later.-

“A distance, of 12% chains of metal--lipg was completed during the month under the Frankton Road loan. “Petition from W. D. Keys and others in regard to Puemanuka Road, —il inspected this road, and find that a lot o£ work requires. to> be done before any material benefit can be given to the settlers, and I would advise that .the matter stand over for the present for further investigation and a report Ifiter. “In company with the chairman a visit of inspection was made to Whangamata in connection >vith the petition of the settlers, in that district to secede from the Thames County and join up with' -the Ohinemuri County.”

The chairman (Cr. W._ F. Johnstone) said that he had made a thorough inspection of the area, and had discussed the mattervfully settlers.- He was quite satisfied that the acceptance of the transfer from Thames\to Ohinemuri on 1 the lines suggested would not be suitable or of advantage to the council. He was prepared to recommend the council to entertain a fresh proposal that would give the settlers in ‘Whangamata a greater community of interest with Waihi than did the present proposal..

Mr H.‘ M. Corbett supported the chairman’s remarks, and it wa* 'ieci.!r d to refer thrmatter back to the settlers with the recommendation that a further proposition and plan be forwarded for the consideration of the council. ■,

“Si.xry cubic yards of gravel were placed en Kaimanawa roads during the inintn, and arrangements are be ing made to get metal from ttie Hikutaia quarry for the balance required. “The road roller has completed its work for the present at Tirohia, and it is now engaged on Thames Road scarifying and rolling, but owing to weather conditions and a breakdown progress has been slow.” Cr. Morrison suggested that the scarifier should be used on Thames Road between Hikutaia and iKomata.

The engineer said he realised that the work required to be done, but there was a; difficulty to contend with in getting the engine over the bridge, and, further, he found it necessary to take the men off the work of scarifying and use them on more urgent work ''until Christmas. Cr. Hubbard said he doubted if that portion of the road referred to had been kept in fair order by the Hauraki Plains County Council, as agreed upon.

On. the motion of Cr. Robinson, seconded by Cr. Morrison, it was decided to have the road scarified from’the Hikutaia stream to the Kbmata bridge as soon as possible. “The hut for Kaimanawa riding has been removed from Karangahake to a Central site on the Kaimanawa road, renovated, and made habitable,”