PLAINS COUNTY WORKS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5218, 19 December 1927, Page 4

PLAINS COUNTY WORKS.

PROGRESS DURING THE MONTH. REPORTS TO COUNCIL. The following reports were presented at last Thursday’s meeting of the Hauraki Plains County Council: — ENGINEER’S REPORT. The county engineer, Mr F. Basham, reported as follows : — “Coxhead’s Filling.—The contractors have completed the new bridge, and the raising of the old bridge and the filling shouM be finished in a few days.

“Mangatarata Bridges.—A start has. been made on the bridge over Mangatarata Creek. “Pekapeka Road. —Good progress has been made with the metalling on tfils road, which should be completed by the end of next month“Pipiroa Ferry.—Work on reducing the grades is completed and the ferry will be opened for traffic to-day.” Cr. Parfitt expressed satisfaction with the work. On the motion of Cr. Hicks the engineer was instructed to report on improvements to the Hikutaia ferry. “General.—One grading plant has been working in the Kaihere-Pate-tonga district, and will work on through to the Auckland main highway, grading all clay roads. There is a portion of the Ngarua-Kalhere road which at one time was lightly gravelled which is being ploughed up and graded, as it is beyond patching with gravel. That portion of this road between the end of the red metal and Suckling’s, which was well, gravelled some few years ago, shows signs of wear, which, if not attended to, will mean that the road will get into the same condition as the portion previously mentioned. Retween 30'0 and 400 yards of gravel are required to effect necessary repairs.” The procuring of the' metal was authorised.

“Grading on the lower Patetonga, road has improved the surface to a certain extent, but there are numerous holes and short stretches which require reclayirig. On the top Patetonga road a bridge at Pullman’s is in a very critical state, and a small culvert has collapsed. The bridge requires renewing and the culvert replacing with 2ft 6in pipes. The bridge would cost £250.” The replacing of the culvert was authorised. “Torehape-Kaihere Metallipg.—Proposals for this work were submitted to the Public Works Department on Ncvermer 1. As soon .as instructed I will call tenders fbr the supply of gravel. Earthworks can be started at any time from now on.” The engineer was instructed to call tenders as soon as the proposals, were approved, the matter being left in the hands of the chairman and engineer. INSPECTOR’S REPORT. The inspector, Mr R. H. Cameron, reported having issued 15 motor drivers’ licenses, one taxi Jicense, and three building permits. Dog collars to the value of £2B 108 had b£en sold. The inspector submitted facts concerning the straying of cattle on the Gumtown road apd asked for instructions. He also submitted facts concerning the non-registration of. dogs by a Kaihere farmer. The clerk was instructed to t write to the offenders. TREASURER’S REPORT. The treasurer, Mr E. A. Mahoney, reported that the receipt of subsidy £1275 9s 9d, collection of rate arrears £1'578 Is 3d, and sundry receipts £1684 4s 6d, had temporarily eased the financial position, but it would still be necessary to curtail expenditure as much as possible.