HIKUTAIA QUARRY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5099, 11 March 1927, Page 2

HIKUTAIA QUARRY.

SUPPLY O-F METAL. VAGUE PROSPECTS.

At the meeting of the Hauraki Plains County Council yesterday, the chairman reported at length on matters concerning the supply of metal for the Kerepeehi riding roading proposal'. An offer to supply metal from Paeroa was turned down, as the Works Committee disagreed with the carting of metal over, the newly constructed r aids at Netherton. The committee had also turned down an offer to supply metal under contract from the Hikutaia quarry at Us 6d per yard on the punts, the contractor to maintain the quarry plant. Filially the committee had recommended, after inspecting the quarry and thoroughly discussing the matter, that the council consider the question of calling tenders for. the 'supply of 'from 4900 to 5000 yards of unscreened metal at a price covering all production and maintenance charges, and also call alternative tenders for supply af the same quantity from other sources. In the discussion that followed Cr. Madgwick explained that the seam o'f red metal was increasing and the width of good stone decreasing. The output was decreasing, but the working casts were, remaining the same, so tiie cost per yard was increasing rapidly. At the present time it was impossible to guarantee a regular output until the quarry improved. Cr. Mayn moved that the whole council visit and inspect the Hikutaia quarry on Wednesday next. The recommendation that the bottom course for Wharepoa Road, and other metal up to approximately 1000 yards, be procured from the Hikutaia quarry by day labour was referred back to the committee, and it was given power to act.