COUNTY WORKS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5484, 7 October 1929, Page 1

COUNTY WORKS.

OPERATIONS IN OHINEMURI. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The following report was submitted to the Ohinemuri County Council at its meeting last Thursday by the acting engineer, Mr L. E. Shaw : — “Paeroa Riding.—Usual maintenance has been carried out. The surfacemen’s time with the plant has been given chiefly to work on the Hamilton-Paeroa main highway.

“Karangahake Riding.—Ordinary maintenance has been carried out. The Tirohia Station road has been rolled and top-dressed with sand. “Mangaiti Riding.—Station Road has been patched and scarified in places. The surfacemen’s time has given chiefly to work on the Te Aroha-Paeroa main highway.

“Waihi Riding.—The surfacemen in this riding have been engaged most of the period on the Waihi-Tauranga main highway. In company with the chairman and Cr. Hoye I made an inspection of what is known as Baxter’s Road. The settlers using this road are requiring three small swamps to be culverted, with fillings sufficiently wide to allow a horse and cart to cross. The settlers concerned are willing to do the earthwork and fillings providing the council supplied and places the culverts.

“Waitekauri Riding.—Repairs have been carried out on two bridges at Waitekauri. The timber for reconditioning a bridge on the Golden Cross road has not yet been supplied. A settler has been engaged on Whangamata Road repairing the worst portions between Bjerring’s Deviation and the Waihi borough boundary. “Kaimanawa Riding.—All roads in this riding are now in good order. The Settlement road has been patched between the main road and Martin’s property.

“Waikino Riding.—Ordinary maintenance has been carried out and a new footpath formed between the township and the railway station. Metal chips and culverts were supplied for the above work by the Public Works Department. Main Highways.

“Hamilton-Paeroa. —A good deal of work has been done on the above road during the month, the whole of the plant being engaged practically the whole time. The wooden bridge near Fitzgerald’s gate at the Te Aroha end of the Waitoki swamp has partly collapsed, and a new bridge will require to be built at an early date. Another small bridge in the same locality requires immediate attention, and I would suggest that the latter be replaced with a concrete pipe culvert. “Paeroa-Kopu.—The supplying and delivering of fine metal on this road was completed during the month. This: road is now in a much improved state,! but will require to be kept graded. On j account of recent surveys in connection with the sale of certain land Mr T. W. Kenny, surveyor, has brought to my notice that a portion of the metal road surface on the bend opposite Mr Gee’s house is encroaching on Messrs Millar Bros’, property, and as they are intending to fence on their boundary it will be necessary to widen the road at this point.

“Waihi-Tauranga.—The supply and delivery of surfacing metal on the above road was let to Mr Julian, and was completed during the month. “Netherton Ferry-Hikutaia.—Dur-ing the month tenders were called for the supplying of surfacing metal on to this road. Tenders were received from the Wharekawa Shingle Company and Mr H. A. Julian. Mr Julian’s tender being the lowest, it was accepted.” After the reading of the report the chairman, Cr. C. Mason, referring to the question of a portion of a road encroaching on Messrs Millar Bros’, property, said he considered that it would be a big improvement to alter it. Cr. W. F. Johnstone thought it might be cheaper to shift Millar’s boundary instead of. widening the road. The engineer, Mr L. E. Shaw, said that it certainly would be cheaper to leave the road where it was, but by shifting it a much better road would be made. Cr. Johnstone considered that it would be cheaper to cut off the existing bank to secure better visibility. The engineer pointed out that the curve would be flattened out by shifting the road up the hill slightly. The matter was eventually left to the chairman and engineer to go into. Concerning Baxter’s Road, Cr. G. S. Hoye said that the settlers would do their bit towards the work if the coun, cil supplied the pipes. He moved that the suggestion should be acceded to, the work to be done to the satisfaction of the engineer.—Approved. Referring to the Hamilton-Paeroa road, Cr. Mace said he was greatly in favour of concrete pipes instead of culverts.

The engineer acquiesced, saying the work could be done immediately. The chairman announced that the contract for the Hikutaia road had been let on Monday, and that the work would be completed this week, 'this was very satisfactory.

Referring to the Waihi-Tauranga highway, the chairman remarked that it was now about the best piece of work in the county, whereas Cr. Hoye remarked, “I am very pleased to know we have one good road.”