OHINEMURI COUNTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4936, 8 February 1926, Page 1

OHINEMURI COUNTY.

REPORT OF ENGINEER. WORK AND REPAIRS IN JANUARY. At Thursday’s meeting of the Ohinemuri County Council the following report was submitted by the engineer, Mr E. Shaw : “Work was laid off and plans and specifications sent for approval, for .making a concrete crossing at Chappell’s, W,aikino, and metalling approach to jsame. Asj this was an urgent matter, and required to be done while the river was low, a start was made by’the county surfacemen and was just on completion when the heavy rain came and rose the river. Work was also laid off on Maratpto Road under Mines grant of £2OO and sent for approval, and authority wsis received almost immediately. As this was also an urgent matter 1 called private tenders for carting 400 cubic yards' of gravel, and same was let to Mr Duncan, of Hikutaia, at 6s 9d per cubic yard. The balance of the work is being carried out by day labour. Specifications were also sent forward for improving Leopold's Road, Waihi. Portion pf this) road was the Waihi Gold Mining Co.’s late tramline. “The following works have been approved and authority received: Wai-tawheta-Waihi Road, Pukekauri Road, Ryall’s' Road, and Farrelly’s Road; also for the erection of a bridge ovei the Waitoki Stream. Tenders have been called for th’e .three fatter works and close at 2 p.m. this day. “The metalling of Ford and Trig roads, Waihi, has) been completed, and a start has been.made with the metalling of Pukewera and Waimata roads, also fo Waihi.

“I found it necessary to strengthen the Komata bridge, Thames Road, by placing an extra pier in the centre and also new runnriig boards of 3in timber on same.

“The Junction and Mahgakara bridges, Waitekauri, have been over-, hauled, and are now in fair order. “The large wooden culvert on the main Paeroa-Te Aroh.ai road wap' in a collapsible state, and has been removed and 'replaced with 36in concrete pipes.

“The storm on the 22nd ultimo did considerable damage to the surface of the metal roads throughout the county, and same will, need extra attention in maintenance before winter. Slips occurred on that portion of the road in the Waitawheta block known as Taieri Road, which connects with Pukewera Road, and lately gazetted and passed on to the council by the Public Works Department without notice. It is some 6% miles in length, and consists of sliding country and is likely to give trouble in winter. This road is situated in .the W’aikino and Waihi ridings. • “Waitawheta Road needs attention, and will, require approximately 100 cubic yards of metal for repairs. Various! roads round Waikino will also need another 100 cubic yards 0? metal to make good.” On ,t,he motion of Cr. Morgan it was resolved that authority be given .the engineer to procure the metal required.

“A start was made to dismantle the Talisman dam. The water was lowered ,and a fair amount of timber taken out, but owing to .the iiicreaise of water in the river the work is held up until conditions are more favourable.

“Up to the present there has been no response from the Main Highways Board concerning the proposals for •metalling the road at Waitoki.”

The chairman said .that when in Wellington he had interviewed the assistant engineer, Public Works Department, with a request that the expenditure necessary on the road be spread over a term of years. To this suggestion the department would no,t agree, but had given permission for five inches of metal being laid thif year and the balance, three inches, completed next year. That had been the best arrangement that could be come to.

The engineer, in reply to the chairman, said that valuable time had been lost. It would be a different matter to follow out the Main Highways, Board’s specifications with the limited amount of money available. Or. Morgan thought .that a start should be made at once to put down the bottom course.

Cr. Robinispn agreed, and. urged that the work should be proceeded with immediately, while the filling and sand was in workable condition. It Wa sresolved to call tenders for the carting and supply of metal im-< mediately.

“Thames Road wasi scarified, rolled, and blinded as far as Hubbard’s Road, but owing fo the dryness -of the surface it was found necessary to suspend operations and wait for more favourable weather to carry on. This being the case, the roller was again put into commission crushing metal at Komata Creek. It is my intention to crush sufficient metal, at Komata and place it on the sides of various roads to be put on when required in the winter within a radius of six miles' of the crusher, and I suggest that private tenders be called for the carting. Appended are the roads requiring, metal, and approximate amounts: Kaimanawa roads, 250 cubic yards ; Thames Road, 200 cubic yards; Pokeno-Waihi - main highway, 100 cubic yards as far as Turner’s Hill; Hamilton-Paeroa main highway, 100 cubic yards as far as Cadman Road; Rotokohu Road, 150 cubic yards ; and a quantity to be dumped ta the quarry.”

The report was .adopted, and the eni gineer was authorised to procure the metal, ais suggested.