COUNTY WORKS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5448, 15 July 1929, Page 1

COUNTY WORKS.

ENGINEER’S .REPORT. OPERATIONS DURING JUNE. The following report was submitted to the Ohinemuri County Council at its meeting on Thursday by the acting engineer, Mr L. E. Shaw : — Paeroa Riding. “General maintenance has been carried out throughout the whole of this riding. The grading of off the shoulders on the Rotokohu road had to be discontinued on account of the continued wet weather, and the metalling was also held up for the same reason, but is now proceeding. “On the Komata Reefs road men have been engaged on cleaning water • tables and opening up culverts. “The metalled portions of Cadman Road and Cemetery Road have been patched and the water tables cleaned. Karangahake Riding. “The widening of Rahu Road at Doherty’s Creek is proceeding. Portion of the water-main at Scotchman’s Gnlly has been replaced by a new main. Several footpaths have been recoated with sand. Mangaiti Riding. “Maintenance as usual has been carried out in the above riding, the workmen’s time being given mainly to work on the main highway. Kaimanawa Riding. “The weather conditions during the last three weeks have considerably hampered the progress of repairs to the roads in. this riding, the continued rain keeping the creeks too high to allow trucks to cross to the gravel • pits, but the work is now proceeding. The deepening and widening of the lower end of the Ferry Road drain has been completed. Waihi Riding. “The workmen’s time in this riding has been given chiefly to repairs to the main road. The 40 chains of new metalling of Pukewe.ra Road, has been rolled, the Waihi Borough roller beii|g hired for the purpose. Waitekauri Riding. “Metalled roads in the above riding are in fair order. The Waitekauri road requires patching in places. Three bridges on this road are in need of repairs to the decking, and timber for the purpose can be secured at Waitekauri at a very reasonable cost. Waikino Riding.

“In the town section all footpaths have been resurfaced and are now in good repair, and all roads in this area have received attention. To enable settlers to get to and from Waitawheta it will be necessary to make repairs to the old Falls Road, as the new road recently constructed by the Public Works Department is now impassable, and will be so until the summer. It will be necessary to hire trucks for the above-mentioned work. Main Highways.

“Waihi-Tauranga.—Repairs are being made to this road. In the main highway estimates for 1929-30 provision has been made for top-dressing of this section with a better-class metal than has been used in the past. “Hamilton-Paeroa. —The effect of the recent heavy rain has been very marked on the above highway, and a good deal of patching metal is required to put it in order. The fence at Cadman Road railway crossing has been erected, and will be painted at an early date. The sanding of the Waitoki-Te Aroha section was discontinued during the wet weather. “Paeroa-Kopu.—This highway is being kept patched until such time as Mr Julian can supply the metal for surfacing. Approximately 50 cubic yards of metal will have to be procured for repairs to the lower end near the Thames County boundary. Government Grants. “The contractor -for the Maratoto .Mine road has made good progress with the metalling portion of his contract, but on account of the heavy rain he has not made much progress with the earthwork. “Estimates—During the month the annual estimates have been prepared and sent forward. “The main highway estimates have also been sent to the Main Highways Board for approval. Level Railway Crossings.

“According to the new motor regulations it will be necessary to erect railway signs at all level railway crossings throughout the county, and a total of 34 signs will be required.” On conclusion of the reading of the report by the chairman Crs. Johnstone, Mace, and Morris congratulated the acting-engineer on the work he had recently done in their ridings— Paeroa, Mangaiti, and Karangahake, respectively.

Cr. Robinson, speaking on the subject of railway crossing signs, said he did not think it was right that more expenses, on this score should be foisted on local bodies. There were too many signs already, so that confusion was likely to be caused. Taking into consideration the number of accidents occurring at crossings, the Railway Department should undertake greater precautions than it was doing at present.