COUNTY WORKS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5433, 10 June 1929, Page 4

COUNTY WORKS.

ACTING ENGINEER’S REPORT. IMPORTANT MATTERS. The following important report for the month ending May 31 was submitted to the Oflinemuri County Council meeting on Thursday by the acting engineer, Mr L. E. Shaw:— Waihi Riding. “The metalling 1 of the four soft pieces on the Whangamata road has been completed with the exception of the nearest section. This work will be gone on with as soon as conditions are favourable for carting and the workmen’s time is available. “The patching of Frankton Road is nearing completion, and this section is now in much better order. In order to expedite the work the council’s trucks were sent to Waihi to cart the metal. “With reference to the Waimata School Committee’s application to have the footbridge over the Waimata stream re-erected, I wish to state that the bridge erected two years ago was placed two feet above the ordinary flood level, but on account of this stream rising to such a height during last winter the bridge was washed away. To erect a structure clear of the level of this last flood it would be necessary to have a 39ft span swing bridge with timbered approaches, to cost a considerable amount more than the previous bridge. “The work authorised on Leopold’s Road has been carried out by Messrs Leopold and Morton, the two settlers concerned. Mangaiti Riding. “All metal roads in this riding are in good order. The gravelling of portions of the Old Te Aroha Road has been completed. Kaimanawa Riding. “The contracts let for the cleaning of the road drains in this riding have been completed during the month. All roads are in need ef patching metal. The Kaimanawa Wharf road in particulai- is getting very badly cut up on account of the heavy carting from the wharf to the Ohinemuri Mines, and I found it necessary during the month to have the worst places repaired. A further amount of approximately 75 cubic yards of gravel is required to put this road in good order. “The contract on Mine Road, between Mcßrinn’s Creek and the mine, is proceeding satisfactorily, but the work already completed is being interfered with by the heavy carting to the battery. The Mine Road between Mcßrinn’s Creek and Martin’s farm—a distance of four miles—is also suffering considerably on account of the heavy haulage to the mine. “The amount of £25 authorised to be spent in improving the Peel’s Creek road so as to give access to Mr Miller’s property at Komata Reefs has not been spent, for the reason that on proceeding to the above road to lay off the work I found conditions much worse than they were twelve months ago, when Mr Miller had previously asked to have the road improved to his property. The council at that time decided to spend a sum of money on improving Mr Miller’s other access from the Komata Reefs road. From Maratoto Road to Mr Miller’s section the road is 135 chains long, and crosses the stream eleven times. These crossings are all in a very rough state, and in. three separate places the creek has left its course and washed down the road, the creek now being where the road was previously. The road formation is very little above the ordinary creek level, and if new crossings were made the first heavy fresh would undo the work. I may also state that in April, 1923, the Public Works Department refused to give any further assistance towards this road on this account. Paeroa Riding. “In this riding general maintenance has been carried out, but all metal roads are requiring metal and I would ask that authority be given to procure 160 cubic yards of metal for Rotokohu Road and 40 cubic yards for Mill Road. “With reference to the Komata Reefs road and the settlers’ request to have the metal now stacked on the roadside crushed and placed on the road, I wish to state that I have measured these heaps and find that there is an amount of 130 cubic yards, which would help to improve the road surface considerably, The old wooden culverts on the above length will have to be replaced. There are 19 of these culverts, all of which have collapsed and are not carrying the water. “The bridges authorised to be redecked have been made safe in the meantime. There are six bridges altogether, and timber for re-decking would cost £127 10s at the mill ; but a sum of £52 spent would make the structures safe for a long time. “The carrying out of the above work will necessitate the employing of two extra workmen. Waikino Riding. “All metal roads have received attention. As the authority has not come to hand for the metalling of the Waitawheta Falls deviation it will be necessary to make temporary repairs to the old road, it being necessary to hire a truck for this purpose. Karan gahake Riding. “Ordinary maintenance has been carried out, and Rahu Road has received a further amount of metal. Main Highways. “Hamilton-Paeroa. —The surfacing of the Waitoki-Te Aroha section of this highway has been completed and the sanding of same is proceeding. The sand from the pit opened up on Mr Strange’s property is proving of very good quality for blinding purposes. “The metal from McCallum’s hoppers at Mackaytown authorised at the last meeting for the Hamilton-Paeroa main highway has been placed on the road and rolled in. The metal supplied was of good quality, and has taken a very satisfactory surface.

“With reference to Cadman Road railway crossing, in view of the danger that the above crossing, is to the increasing motoi’ traffic on this highway, I would suggest that the matter of eliminating this danger be brought before the Hon. Minister of Railways during his visit to this district. “Paeroa-Kopu.—The grader has been employed on this section, and four concrete culverts have been lengthened. The surfacing with fine metal has not been gone on with on account of the difficulty of crushing at Komata Creek in wet weather and the workmen being required elsewhere. Crushing will be continued this week, but the supply of metal is becoming very short, and some other source will have to be obtained for the supply of material. “Netherton Ferry-Hikutaia.—The surfacing of this road was completed during this last month, the surface when finished being in very good order, but owing to the very uncertain foundation depressions are again appearing which will have to be filled from time to time. Paeroa Water Supply. “Repairs have been carried out to the broken main along the railway line, 32 chains of 2in pipe having been laid and all connections made.”