COUNTY WORKS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5475, 16 September 1929, Page 4

COUNTY WORKS.

HAURAKI PLAINS OPERATIONS. REPORTS FOR THE MONTH. The following monthly reports from its officials were received by the Hauraki Plains County Council at its monthly meeting on Thursday: ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer, Mr F. Basham, reported as follows :— Main Highways. “Pokeno-Waihi.—This road has been kept constantly graded in, and necessary patching has been done. Supplies of Bryant’s shingle are arriving as weather and other circumstances permit. One scpwload was not up to sample—containing too much sand. I gave Mr Bryant the option of accepting 8s lid per yard, the price of Winstone’s tender for similar material. This he agreed to, otherwise the load would have been condemned. The haunching between Haley’s Corner and Waitakaruru will be completed in about two weeks’ time. Between the Waitakaruru canal and Dalgety’s corner this work has been suspended pending consideration of a letter from the Public Works Department regarding basis of subsidy. The road is in very fair order. The contractor has completed the redecking of the Ngatea traffic bridge. “Pipiroa-Coromandel.— The road has been graded and patched where necessary, and is in fair order. Chips will be available from the Matatoki quarry about the 16th inst., when delivery by Contractor will be commenced.

“Orongo-Netherton.— The necessary grading and patching on the macadam portion of this road has been done. There are a few weak spots showing in the bitumen portion, and these I propose repairing with “Colfix” as soon as possible; One trial load of Winstone’s shingle has been spread near Carter’s corner. Patetonga Riding.

“There is a bad scour behind the northern abutment of Pulman’s bridge on the top road. To remedy this it will be necessary to drive one pile and plank to ground level. All material and plant necessary to carry out this work is assembled, and as soon as weather permits it will be carried out.”

Cr. Mayn observed that the work was urgently required. Ngatea Riding.

“The new metal on the Puhanga Canal road is in very bad shape, and a very considerable amount of extra metal will be required before this road is .in a fit state to be taken over by the council. Netherton Riding. “Byroads have been patched and surfaced where necessary. All roads have been graded and grass removed from the edges of the metal. Kerepeehi Riding. “The roads are in fair order. Necessary grading and patching have been carried out. The pipe culvert at the intersection of Matai and Rata streets will be put in as soon as it is possible to cart clay for the filling.” The report was adopted.

INSPECTOR’S REPORT.

The inspector, Mr W. White, reported as follows : — Traffic.

“A number of service cars have been stopped during the month and found to be bearing the heavy traffic discs applicable to such vehicles. “In accordance with your instructions, I have witnessed a demonstration in the use of the portable weighing machines for use in the county. At a result I am now convinced that a set of these instruments would be found to be of advantage to the council in the protection of its roads, and in bringing defaulters to justice. As I shall be leaving the service of the council at the end of the month I do not desire to load the council with this expenditure, but will leave the matter in the hands of the council to do what it considers best.”

In reply to Cr. Madgwick the inspector said that were accurate, and were accepted as evidence in the Magistrate’s Court. The cost was £155. Cr. Madgwick moved that a pair be purchased. Cr. Parfitt asked if it would not be advisable to defer the matter until finality was reached in connection with the position of inspector. Cr. Mayn supported, and pointed out that there was a movement in the direction of co-operating with adjoining counties. Cr. Fishei- urged the purchasing of the load meters. Cr. Parfitt moved as an amendment that the question be deferred, Cr. McDuff seconding. Cr. Reid opposed the amendment, pointing out that the cost would quickly be saved by restricting wear and tear on the roads due to heavy traffic. Cr. Madgwick said it would be bad policy to wait until the roads were broken up before taking steps to prevent overloading of vehicles. The amendment deferring the matter was carried on the votes of Crs. Parfitt, McDuff, Mayn, Motion, and Hale. Licenses. “Quarterly licenses issued to owners of heavy traffic vehicles garaged on the Plains expired on August 31. Reminders were issued on August 16. A few remain who have not renewed. “The attention of the owner of the section at the corner of the Pipiroa main highway has been drawn to the trees growing there, and has been requested to cut them back to give greater visibility. I am informed that the work will be carried out.” CLERK’S REPORT. “The clerk, Mr E. A. Mahoney, reported that the receipts for the month totalled £1022 16s 2d, including £661 2s lid from rates, £214 2s from the Pipiroa ferry, £26 12s 9d from the Komata ferry, £2O 7s from licenses, and £52 9s as refund of petrol tax. “Miss Gibson, the council’s typiste,

has left the council’s employ for family reasons, and I temporarily employed Miss Baker, of Turua, in her place. I ask the council’s direction as to the permanent filling of the position.” It was decided to appoint Miss Baker at £2 10s per week until March 31, when the position would be reviewed.

“R. Shaw, the Ngatea bridgekeeper, has verbally applied for one week’s pay, namely, £3, in lieu of his leave for last year which he did not take. As the council would have had to employ a man at 14s per day at a cost of £4 18s for the week had Mr Shaw gone on leave, I recommend that he be paid £3 in lieu of leave.”—Granted.

“Mr Wellstead, publicity manager of the N.Z. Railways, called here last week regarding the forthcoming tour of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. He says the party wishes to detrain at Pokeno and cross the Plains to Paeroa, staying a short while in Ngatea, and arriving at Paeroa for lunch. It will be necessary, should this suggestion materialise, that some cars should meet the party at Pokeno, accompany the party to Paeroa, and participate in the function there, this council, of course, bearing its share of the cost. Mr Wellstead says that the Auckland business people are very interested in the Plains, and are anxious to make a thorough inspection of the proposed route of the PaeroaPokeno line.”

The chairman expressed the view that the council should assist. This was agreed to.

The chairman and Crs. Hale and Madgwick agreed to make their cars available on the day.

“Nearly 80 summonses have been issued for rates in arrears. I have circularised all councillors with a list of rates which I recommend should be written off the books. I ask the council’s decision on same.” —This Was agreed t,o. Wellington Trip.

“The chairman and myself visited Wellington on various county matters. The Minister for Public Works agreed that subsidy on the full amount expended on ' Kaikahu Road should be paid forthwith, and seemed favourably disposed towards granting a £2 for £1 subsidy on the Kerepeehi township roads. I have not yet received official confirmaiton of this.

“Campbell’s Road.—We were successful in having £250 free grant on Campbell’s Road placed on the Estimates in lieu of £250 on a £ for £ basis as applied for by the engineer. “Waitakaruru Drainage District. — Mr McMorrin, chief drainage engineer for the Auckland district, who was present, was instructed to have plant and estimates of draining of the recently constituted drainage area prepared preparatory to putting a loan proposal to the ratepayers. “Mangatarata Roads.—After placing a request for an increase of subsidy to £3 for £1 before the Minister of Public Works, a letter has been received declining subsidy beyond £2 for £l.”