WORKS IN THE BOROUGH

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5164, 12 August 1927, Page 2

WORKS IN THE BOROUGH

MAINTENANCE DURING JULY.

COMMITTEE’S REPORT TO COUNCIL

The following report on the work carried out in the borough during the month wast submitted by the Woi’its Committee to the Paeroa Borough Council meeting last night: — “Owing to the necessity to organise and put in hand’ the main jobs necessary to employ a large number of additional men maintenance work has been somewhat neglected ; but, except on work where the roller may be required, it is hoped to get going again in a few days. “Improvements to footpaths and stormwater drainage have been completed in Victoria and Wood streets. A hig improvement has also been made to the stormwater drainage in Wharf Street from the corner of Princes Street. It is not certain yet if this will be sufficient to cope with the water, but if it is not a line of 6in pipes from the cesspit direct to the end of the 9in pipes on the east side of Wharf Street will entirely solve the problem. “A culvert has been laid in Station Road, and it is hoped that with the completion of the work by the Public Works Department on the dra.in over the traffic bridge it will be possible to deepen our drain and take off the water from the Old Te Arolia and Mill roads. This may be undertaken during the coming month. “There have been several leaks in water mains which, with the lowering of hydrant boxes, has caused a fair amount of water account work. “A good burn was obtained on the acres of the Range Street reserve, which it is proposed to plant in trees. Some fencing has been done on Rawhiti Reserve, and some scrub cut <m the Bennett Street reserve. “Considerable progress has been made during the month with the reconstruction of the main street, and the work is now well in hand. Certain unexpected difficulties have, however, been encountered on thjs job. notably the fact that no provision has ever been made for drainage of the s-üb-grade and the difficulty which has been experienced in getting the metal —obtained from the Tha.mes County Council —to set in, due partly to the fact that the metal is very hard and clean, and partly to the fact that, ’contrary to arrangements, part of the fines were taken out. The first mentioned difficulty is being met by laying a stone intercepting drain in the sub-grade for a length of about five chains of the worst section of the street. The latter matter is being dealt with by laying a coat of 2% in ‘all in’ metal first and spreading on it a very small quantity of chips and blinding. This method, with the fact that there Was found to be very little metal on the northern side of the street from Arney Street to the Criterion Hotel, will incerase by approximately 250 yards the metiil which it was estimated to use on this job ; but it has. been quite impossible to avoid this additional cost. “Work on the relief of unemployment scheme has been much delayed owing to weather conditions, but some progress has been made with clay work on Puke Road. “The large kauri stump which has long been a difficulty and danger has been removed from Thames Road. A culvert has been laid in Mill Road preparatory to - the work to be done there. A small amount of cl<?y work has also been done on Mill Road.

“The taking of spoil from the banks of the outfall drain from Puke Road is making a very great improvement to the drain by reducing the heavy weight on the ba.nks- in very bad country.

“Fencing and general improvement work has been carried out by two men who have been constantly employed on the proposed playground on the old station site. The men, horses, and drays were also used for carting soil and removing clay in connection with the tree-planting in Victoria and Wood streets, and a donation of th& actual cost of same will be made to the unemployment fund through the Beautifying Society.

UNEMPLOYMENT. “Including the men employed at the Paeroa Quarry, 28 have been given work by tire council. Unfortunately this has not been sufficient to meet the entire need, and a further effort by the council would be> valuable. Weather conditions make organisation of the work difficult, and it is by no means easy to keep the mien going. Four drays, two hordes, and three sets of harness have been purchased at a total cost of £94 4s 7d. More men could be employed if more drays anil horses were available.

“In order to cope with the po&itition we recommend: That a.n appeal be made for the loan free of cost <?f two drays, horses, and harness, or, alternatively, that an additional two be purchased ; that authority be given to proceed as far as possible with the proposed reconstruction of main streets, in pursuance of the details; as embodied in the reconstruction proposals, excluding the bitumen work, for which the loan of £4500 would be required; that the one and a half acres of the Range Street reserve be- planted immediately in a eucalyptus suitable for poles etc. ; that a special sub-committee composed of the Mayor, Crs. Edwards, Braman, and Flatt, and Messrs McDonald and G. H. Taylor be set up to carry out the expenditure of unemployed subscription funds, with full power to act.”

After a lengthy discussion in committee the report was adopted in open council.