PLAINS COUNTY WORKS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5076, 17 January 1927, Page 3

PLAINS COUNTY WORKS.

REPORT BY ENGINEER. MAINTENANCE OF ROADS. The county engineer, Mr F. Basham, reported to the Hauraki Plains County Council on Thursday as follows:— TURUA-ORONGO ROAD. “This road has been thoroughly patched with bitumen and chips, and is now in good order. Owing to the amount of patching that has been done—it is almost continuous over the whole road —it is not necessary or advisable to supply a further coat of bitumen and sand, nor is there sufficient money left in the loan to pay 'for it. PIAKO ROAD. “This road has also been patched where necessary and is now ready for a coat of bitumen and sand. This will cost about £4oo’. There is not sufficient money in the loan to do the work, and the balance of tjie cost will have, to be bor.ne out of 'rates if the work is carried out. The sand is paid for. The bitumen has arrived, ■ but is not yet paid for.’’ Cr. Mayn commented that the bitumen roading position was becoming very serious. Before further bitumensealing was undertaken the matter should receive very careful consideration. He would, like, to know whether the Turua-Orongo road was now in good order or whether further work would be necessary. The engineer, pointed out that no further work was necessary. Cr. Mayn said that while he. would strenuously oppose bitumen-sealing any further 'roads he would support giving the existing bitumen i-oadsi all the maintenance necessary to keep them in proper order. The matter of the Turua-Orongo road and the Piako road was referred to the Works Committee. Cr. Mayn stressed the point that the maintenance should be. continued when necessary, even if the general account had to be drawn on. In reply to Cr. Reid the engineer, explained that the patching was more in the nature of a resurfacing than repairing. The road was now in good order and further work was unlikely. NETHERTON LOAN, 1925. During the past month all work has been delayed by wet weateher. A ■fresh start was made on Monday last and work is now in full swing. Metalling and blinding on Munro’s Road is completed. On Fisher’s Road 30 chains have been metalled, of which 20 chains have been blinded and roll- - ed. On School Road 20 chains have been metalled. ,On • Awaiti South Road 60 chains have been metalled.” In reply to Cr. Reid the engineer said that the quality o'f metal was satisfactory. There were two schools of thought among the Netherton ratepayers as to the amount of “fines” in the mfetal, but he was satisfied. The matter of extending the metalling along Pukahu Road was brought up by- Cr. Reid, who urged that the road be continued to the gate of a certain settler, a matter of a few chains. The engineer and Cr. Reid were deputed to investigate the subject. MAIN HIGHWAY. “Heavy holiday traffic,, combined with wet, weather, necessitated certain maintenance work with tractor and grader. Roads are now in fair order.” Cr. Reid asked whether’ there was any limit to the speed Of motors on the highways. The chairman replied that the county had by-laws, and an inspector to see that they were observed. Cr. Parfitt urged that more attention should be given to the matter. The chairman commented that it appeared that the inspector was not giving this phase of his duty sufficient attention. He remained on the road work practically all the time. It was decided to request the inspector to give the matter greater attentiori CLAY ROADS. “A start was made on the clay roads in the Kaihere and Mangatarata districts, but wet weather has. undone all the work. A fresh start has been made. . PEKAPEKA WATER SUPPLY. “All material is on the site. The tankstand has been erected. Work on the main is in progress, and the contract should be completed by the end of the month. COUNTY CAR. “The car is urgently in need of a new differential housing, which will cost about £l5 in position. If this is not provided I am afraid a bad break is certain to occur at any time. I should be glad of authority to procure same.” Cr. Mayn raised the question of providing a new car. It appeared that the car was reaching that stage when it would be. cheaper to quit it than to continue to maintain it. After some discussion Cr. Mayn moved that a new car be purchased. * It was suggested that it would be cheaper to procure an English car. The chairman pointed out that the annual cost of running the car averaged £2OO a year. Benzine, tyres, and repairs roughly averaged onethird of the total. Councillors urged that the. council should adopt, the principle of scrapping its cars every two years. Cr. Parfitt suggested that the motion be altered to provide that the chairman, engineer, and Cr. Mayn go into the matter of disposing of the present car, and Of securing a new car preferably an English one, the cost to he bought out of next year’s finances. ENGINEER’S HOUSE. “This is nearing completion and * should be ready for occupation by ■ the end of the month. OVERSEER’S HOUSE. “This is progressing satisfactorily, and contractors state that they will complete it within specified time.”