LOCAL ROADWORKS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5152, 15 July 1927, Page 3

LOCAL ROADWORKS.

BOROUGH MAIN HIGHWAYS. REPORT ON REVISED SCHEME. The following report on the revised scheme for the reconstruction of the main highways, in the Borough of Paeroa was placed before the council meeting last night by the Mayor :— “In view of the fact that the Local Government Loans Board has decided on a term of 15 years with a 5 per cent sinking fund for a loan for bituminous road work, it has been necessary to reconsider the proposals for the reconstruction of the continuations of main highways with a view to modifying same and reducing the capital charges. We are also assisted in the matter by the unemployed relief subsidy, estimated to amount to £lOOO.

“It has already been decided to reconstruct a portion of Normanby Road and surface-seal with bitumen only. This will considerably reduce the cost on this section.

“After careful investigation I now recommend the extension’ of this method to all but 41 chains ’54 feet on Puke Road and six chains on Waihi Road, which should be done on the penetration method by reason of the fact that Puke Road will have a much greater volume of traffic than the other streets, and the six chains on Waihi Road being subject to scour from floods, should be done in one operation and finished, in order to make sure that the. work will not be damaged after the first portion only was done and left for consolidation.

“On general lines, the revised scheme is as follows :—

“Advantage is being taken of the good solid metal to a depth of 11 inches on Normanby and Waihi roads, which would be straightened to proper alignment, dressed with small metal, and surface-sealed. “Thames and Te Aroha roads would all told receive six inches of metal on the existing solid crust and be given a surface dressing of bitumen and chips ; and one cannot help thinking that if this is done properly, and adequately maintained, another generation than our own would build the road that will be required when this one is destroyed. “The estimated cost of the revised scheme is :—

“From these figures it would seem that it should be possible to carry out this work, and the interest and sinking fund and maintenance will only slightly exceed the amount per annum necessary for maintenance of the macadam streets, and that a 5 per cent, sinking fund could be created, and in all probability, as far as the council can see, there; will be no increase in the rate other than the rates on the unemployed relief loan. “A benefit of can only be obtained if a decision to authorise it is given by the ratepayers at an early date, so as to enable the work on tho Thames and Te Aroha roads to be carried out concurrent with the work to be done on these streets under the relief of unemployment loan. “Experts advise further t'hat at least, where the existing crust and sub-grade is not disturbed, an effort should be made to seal- with bitumen during the coming summer, and thereby save considerable damage and consequent maintenance. The wisdom of this will be apparent to councillors if it is pointed out that if this is done about fiGOO 1 which has been earmarked out of the District Fund for maintenance for this year could be uised for reconstruction and the loan reduced accordingly. In view o e the fact that for a couple of years at any rate maintenance would be very light, a further sum of ,£5OO or £6OO could be advanced by the District Fund Account and thus reduce the loan to £4500. at wihich figure it become* just as cheap to have a good road as a poor one, and in addition preserves and maintains the full value of the unemployed relief loan work, and does it with the probability that it will be unnecessary to collect the loan rate ; or, if the loan rate is collected, then a corresponding reduction should be made in the general rate."

On the motion of Cr. Flatt, seconded by Cr. Hare, the scheme as presented to the council was adopted.

Cutting where required and building up sides and boxing shoulders in clay 820 0 0 Metal for reducing camber and strengthening foundations where required— 1391yds at 14s 974 0 0 Blinding 154. 0 0 Rolling and Spreading 150 0 0 Puke Road, 3m bitumen macadam, 41 ch’s 55ft by 18ft 1380 0 0 Waihi Road, 3in macadam bitumen, 6 chs. by 16ft... 176 0 0 Thames & Te Aroha Rds, 109 chains at 6% yds per chain, 708% yds at 14s... 495 IO 0 109 chains at 5 yds of chips, 545 at 18s 49o IO 0 218yds of % to dust blinding at 18s 196 4 0 Puke Rd. to Kailway, 5 chaids, yds at 14s... 22 15 0 Puke Rd. to Railway, 5 1 chains, 25yds at 18s... f Puke Rd. to Railway, 51 3i' IO 0 chains 10yds at 18s J 41 chains Normanby and Waihi Roads., 8 yds to chain, 328 at 18s 295 4 0 41 chains Normanby and Waihi Roads, scarify aud roll 150 0 0 Surface painting 155 chains at /11 1705 0 0 Surface painting, Belmont Rd., near Hotel 226 0 0 Surface painting. Arney-st. from Willoughby-st. to Kin*-st 113 0 0 Surface painting, Moore Rd. and Hill-street 45 r > 0 0 Rolling 155 chains IOO 0 0 Contingencies Half-year’s interest and sinking fund on /6500... 300 0 0 386 0 0 Cost of raising loan 60 0 0 Previous loan aud Govt. subsidy /3000 District Fund A/c contribution /1175 Loan Z45oo Z‘8675 Z8675 0 0 Loan of /4500 at n per cent, and sinking fund, Z495 per annum Main’tce Z'500 Z995 total annual charges Main Highways minimum annual grant 350 0 0 Motor vehicles revenue estimated 250 0 0 From General Rate 395 0 0 Z’995 0 0