HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5300, 16 July 1928, Page 1

HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

ENGINEERING MATTERS.

COUNCIL DISCUSSION.

The Hauraki Plains County engineer (Mr F. Basham) reported to the council on Thursday as follows, the report being d'scussed in sections HIKUTAI'A QUARRY.

“Owing to further collapse of loadig stage at Hikutaia Creek I was compelled to completely dismantle same in the interests of .safety to the bridge. All material has, been carted to the depot at Ngatea.” In reply to Cr. Parfitt the engineer said that there were 10 tons of heavy tram rails still available for sale. The trucks would be given a coat of tar as soon as possible. METAL LANDING AT ORONGO. “Messrs McCallum Bros, have written. offering to construct the landing at their own expanse on certain conditions.” The .conditions stipulated in the letter were that McCallum - Bros, be given the sole right of the landing, for from five to seven yeam The clerk pointed out that metal landed at Orongo would, bet taxed by the Thames Harbour Board with all its charges. Cr,. Madgwick opposed giving away the council’s •asset in the old ferry The clerk said it was proposed to dispose of the assets in the old ferry and 1 divide the proceeds between the three local bodies. If the council used the approach it would have to pay for it. Cr. Harris pointed out that the Thames Harbour Board was actually the controlling authority. It was decided to ask the Thames Harbour Board to state on what, terms it would permit mejtal to be landed at the Orongo ferry approach. KOPUARAHI WHARF. “I recommend aji endeavour being made to get the broken span repaired. There is no metal for maintenance work in this vicinity .and some is urgently required, but none can be. landed until the wharf is repaired. There is plenty of timben on hand which would be quite .suitable.” Cr. Miller reported that the suppliers of the da’ry factory had agreed to share the cost with the council. The shipping company had been asked for a substantial donation, as; its steamer had been the’ means of wrecking the whanf. On the motion of Cr. Parfitt, it was decided that the wharf be repaired, the council’s share to be found by the Kopuarahi and Horahia ridings.

MCDONALD’S BRIDGE. .“In company with Cr. Harris I inspected the site of the dam requested' to be built by Mr McDonald. The cost would be about £75, and if constructed. would certainly trap shingle at tile most convenient place for carting on to the road for future repairs.” Cr. Harris said that it would be the means of providing metal for the Walitakaruru apd Ngatea ridings; The engineer, advocated, holding the matter over for consideration. He did not think the expenditure was justified at present.' CONCRETE PIPES'. “A start has, beftn. made to coitstriiet 4ft concrete drain pjpes, seven being made to date.” The engineer said that men were only employed on this work on wet days. TURUA BRIDGES. Cr. Ma,dgwick, Mr, Hamilton, of the Hauraki Drainage Board, and' I inspected the bridge on Huirau Road, and also Bagnall’s bridge on the main road. The former could be replaced wtih 4ft pipes;, but the latter depends o.iii the operations of the board in widening the drain, and no decision wag. possible at the timei of inspection/’ In this connection the Hauraki United Drainage Board' advised that it was prepared to contribute towards the cost of constructing a first-class bridge over the Ansfoiy] extension (Bagnall’s)' drain on the Turua-Neth-erton highway. On the motion of Cr. Madgwick the engineer was instructed to prepare specifications for a 24ft culvert of 4ft pipes for Huirau Road and to extend the No. 2 drain bridge.

Nb decision was reached in regard to Bagnall’s drain crossing pending the receipt of further information concerning the Drainage Board’s proposals'. Cr. Miller, pointer out that a subsidy could be obtained’ from the; Highways Board, which looked on the renewal of bridges, as malintenance. He suggested that the riding should contribute one-quarter of the cost and the Highways Board one-half. MAIN HIGHWAYS. “Continuous showery weather, is causing roads to show signs of wear. Graders are being kept going as far a;s weather permits. Patching is being done where .heces.sary. On the Netherton section surfacing is, in progress as fast as the arrival of scows permits, but these; are delayed considerably by rougih weather. GENERAL. “Surfacing on Orchard East Road is nearly completed. It will take about another two scowloads of metal.”