BOROUGH WORKS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4939, 15 February 1926, Page 1

BOROUGH WORKS.

REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE.

SERIOUS SHORTAGE OF METAL.

The following report was submitted by the Works Committee to Thursday night’s meeting of <t|he Paeroa Borough Council: — “Since last meeting the staff has been engaged completing the laying of 4in mains and the necessary house connections therewith, general maintenance, and street improvement loan wtork. The maintenance work has included considerable improvement to Kennedy Street, the tarring apd sanding of Thames Road from Raroa Road t(o the top of the hill, and the raising of Rye Lane footpath. “The metalling and rolling of Hill Street ,t° Kennedy Street, and the Hill Street end of Moore Road, have now been' completed, and Aorangi Road to the railway settlement should be finished tlife week.

“ A start has been made with the formation of Lower Hill Street, and everything is in readiness for scarifying ; but the work has had to be held up owing to shortage of metal. We are receiving the total output of the Paeroa quarry, which amounts to about 14 yards a day,, and we have received about 100 yards from Ksrangahake, but these supplies are totally inadequate and are causing very serious delay to the work. An order for 200 yards has been placed with the Tirohia quajrry, and we have tried our best to obtain more from Karangahake, but without success. “Metal for patching our main streets is also urgently required, but at present is unprocurable. Inquiries are being made as, to the cost of landing a scow-load of McCallum’s red metal. It is also hoped the position will improve as soon as the new contractor has his larger plant running in- the Paeroa quarry. “Work is proceeding in the casting of concrete kerbs in the yard, and at present there are 375 feet ojn hand. “Good progress is being made by the contractors with the council chambers, and it is probable that only one more regular meeting will be held in the present building. We therefore ask for authority to proceed when convenient with the kerbing and channelling and footpath formation of this side of Normanby -Road. “Arrangements were made with WJ. Fprreist to lay the sewer extensions in Hill and Flora streets on a day labour basis. The Hill Street bra.nch, with the house connections, has been completed, and the excavation work is well in hand in Flora Street.

"It is proposed forthwith to give the domain footpaths another coat of tar and sand if the/ weather permits, and to proceed with the metalling of lower .Hill. Street and Bush Street, and to complete the Bush Street end of Moore Road a t s goon as supplies of metal are available ; also to form up George Street.” Cr. P. E. Brenan drew attention to the main roads, which required immediate attention by patching, at least.

The Mayor (Mr W. Marshall) sa,id that the difficulty was to otbain adequate supplies of metal. Cr. Edwards suggested that the scarifier might be used to advantage. The Mayor explained that that could only be done where there was a sufficient depth of metal. There were not many stretches of road that would respond to that class of treatment. Cr. Edwards said that the roads leading into the town should be permanently repaired. He favoured Puke .Road and Upper Normanby Road being scarified and dressed with red metal.

The Mayor reiterated little could be done until metal supplies were assured.

The report was adopted.