BOROUGH WORKS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5217, 16 December 1927, Page 4

BOROUGH WORKS.

COMMITTEE’S REPORT.

ACTIVITIES DURING THE MONTH-

The following report was submitted by the Works Committee to the Paeroa Borough Council meeting last night:—

“Maintenance.— iQnly urgent maintenance work has been attended to during the past month. “The bitumen on Puke Road, Racecourse Hill, and Belmont Road bled considerably with the high sun temperatures, and parts have been recoated with fine metal, and the remainder will have early .attention. Metal has been dumped for repairs in Corbett Street, Upper Hill Street, and Coronation'Road. Tiitese streets will have some attention 'when weather and other circumstances make it expedient to put the work in hand. Rye Lane is now in a very rough condition and should be repaired as soon as possible. Six yards of metal have been spread at the intersection of Kennedy and Andrew streets. The whole of Thames Road and Arney Street, also over the Te Aroha bridge, was raked in on rainy days, and Puke Road was also repaired. “Considerable damage is fast being done to the new streets by unreasonable speeding, and sustained action will be necessary to gain control of the traffic to prevent ratepayers money being lost by this means. “Stormwater Drainage.—The stormwater drain has been completed in the Old Te Aroha Road and a fresh culvert laid under the street at the low point. The result should be a great improvement in the drainage of this area.

“The new 12in drain near the transformer has been completed to the intersection with the large main stormwater drain, where a concrete chamber has been built. Unfortunately the 12in pipes connecting this drain from the transformer to the south side of the Public Works office were found to be completely silted up, and it was necessary to take same up and clean them out. This work is all now completed, and the Public Works Department has constructed a proper concrete flood-gate apron, etc. “Gas lamps.—All the l old gas lamps have been taken down and stacked on the old station site, and 6in gas main pipes have been lifted from Puke Road for water reticulation improvements. “Water Mains.—An alteration has been effected in the vyater mains at the Criterion bridge, 6in cast iron pipes having been laid from the main to the 4in pipe in Cassrels Street and to the new traffic bridge. It is intended to lay a 4in cast iron pipe across the new bridge. This will give permanent water mains under the new approaches and greatly improve the service over the bridge and in Cassrels Street. The arrangement is for the river works to pay for the labour of this alteration and the council is finding all mateial. A junction is being put in to enable an auxiliary service to be laid pn Normanby Road at some future date.

“The new bridge approaches are being constructed by the council for the Public Works Department, but the council is finding the bitumen and the labour for the bitumen work. It was not originally intended to bituminise this area, but recent experience has shown that it would be wise tp*do so, and the work is now well in hand.

“The new deviation into Fraser Street has been constructed and metalled by the council for the Public Works Department, and these several jobs made possible the employment of all the men until the other work could be put in hand. Street Improvements.—Reconstruction work has been completed on Waihi Road, and also near the Puke Road crossing, where a considerable improvement in grade has been effected.

“The bituminising of Normanby Road and a portion of PrinceS Street has been completed, and an experiment carried out with bitumen and crude oil on the footpaths in the vicinity of the post office and Princes Street. The work is not a high-class job, but it is a distinct improvement and will reduce maintenance. The cost amounted to B%d per square yard, including cleaning and some levelling with metal chips, which is exceptionally cheap work. If it stands it will reveal possibilities for improved paths- at no greater cost. Mr Fleming is contributing £5 towards the cost of this work done near his garage.

“Flora Street has been formed, covered with spawls, well rolled, metalled, and blinded. The street leading to the saleyards has also been formed and net ailed.

‘‘Some progress has been made with the bitumen-sealing of Arney Street, and it is intended to push this work right through the holiday season, as a very large programme of work still looms ahead for the summer. The metal is stacked ready for use, and. 145 tons of bitumen are to hand. “Sewerage.—The excavation is complete for the sewer extension in Kennedy Street (except for the house connections), and a start has beep made with the laying of pipes. “Puke Road Bridge.—Arrangements have been made for the? preparation of a plan for a small concrete structure which will be most economical to erect, and when it is ready an application for a special grant from, the Highways Board will be made. “Swimming Baths. —The site has been cleared, the baths set out,, and some progress already made with the excavation. It has been found necessary to raise the level in order to secure a connection with the drjain in Princes Street.”