COUNTY WORKS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5486, 11 October 1929, Page 3

COUNTY WORKS.

HAURAKI PLAINS OPERATIONS. road improvements. The following engineer’s report was presented to the Hauraki Plains County Council at its meeting yesterday: Main Highways. “Pokeno-Waihi. —The haunching between Haley’s Corner and Waitakaruru is completed, and between Waitakaruruand Dalgety’s Comer partially completed. Some 60 chains southward of Rawerawe Road is also nearly completed. As soon as possible 1 the spoil will be graded up to the metal and an even cross-section provided. Satisfactory arrangements as to subsidy have been arrived at. Supplies of Bryant’s shingle have been , delivered during the month, and with ( the exception of a small portion on two scowloads the quality has been satisfactory. Two scowloads are being delivered at the Puke wharf for the Netherton end of the road. When these are delivered the question of suspending further supplies at present might be considered. The highway is in very fair order throughout, and the total expenditure is mounting up towards the year’s estimate. So it would be advisable to conserve the balance of funds provided for, and have something in hand in case of any - urgent’ calls before the end of the hi financial year. i . “Pipiroa-Coromnadel. —Further delay in the delivery of chips from the Matatoki quarry has been due to trouble with the plant. I believe this is now rectified, and the contractor is starting delivery immediately. Necessary widening to the sides of the Hauraki Bridge approach has been partly completed. “Orongo-Netherton.—The bituminous portion of road has been repaired where most required, and the road is now in good order. General. “Waitakaruru Riding.—Plans for the Mahuta bridge are now completed, . and as soon as blue prints are obtained they will be submitted to the Public Works Department for approval. The grader is working on Miranda Road, Where it should’finish to-day, thence proceeding to Back Miranda A Road. Other clay roads will be graded as soon as possible. “Patetonga Riding.—The abutment at Pullman's bridge is repaired, and the bridge should last another few years. The tractor-grader is at work on Top Road. “Pipiroa Riding.—Hopai West Road has been disced. The grader will be on the River and other clay roads in the course of a few days. Pouarua Road has been formed in readiness for metalling: 20 chains. Delivery. of metal will be commenced next week if weather permits. | “Ngatea Riding.—Roads are in good order throughout. Metal on Ngarua- , Kaihere Road has been graded in. The Lands Department has resurfaced 'most of the road along the Puhanga canal, and it is now in much better shape. “Kerepeehi Riding.—The crossing r between Matai and Rata streets in the township has been fixed with pipes and filling and a light coat of metal. “Roads in other ridings are in very fair order, and no work on them has been necessary during the month.” Discussion. Discussing the report, Crs. Madgwick and Reid drew attention to what appeared to be an undue amount of mud in the beach shingle recently delivered. The engineer said that the roads appeared different according to the J - time the gravel was laid. The hard l spots would break up in fine weather If and a moving surface would result. Cr. Parfitt said that if any councillor did not want any more beach shingle in his riding they could send it along to his riding. The engineer said that the coming summer would prove the metal. He considered that screened metal chips would eventually be used, but he would not stand for buying metal dust. There was ample dust availcable on the roadsides, and once the 'v question of admitting dust with the metal was allowed disputes were bound to appear as to the proportion of dust. Cr. Hale wanted metal chips only on the roads of his riding. Cr. Parfitt wanted what was the best, and was of opinion that beach , shingle was satisfactory. Cr. Harris agreed with this view, *and said that the Waitakaruru ratepayers held a high opinion of beach shingle. The engineer' said that very strict instructions had been given to reject any beach gravel which contained an undue proportion of nrud. In reply to Cr. Parfitt the engineersaid that he understood the .Lands Department would do the work on Hopai West Road. The council could j do the work, but it would ease finances if the council paid its share to the Lands Department and asked to do the work. The proprietors of the “N.Z. Sporting and Dramatic Review” ha "e pleas • /’.are in announcing in this week’s issue fcjetails of a Free Skill Racing Comnejptition, with a magnificent prize of £250. The competition is absolutely free—no entrance ’fee. The centre pages of the paper are artistically ar - ranged with charming photographs of up-to-date events —Miss America arrives in London, locomotive development, latest additions to the British Navy, United States women’s tennis championships, and the wedding of Earl Haig’s daughter. With the racing season now well started, all eyes will turn to the graphic photographs of the Auckland Racing Club’s spring meeting and enthusiasts will be able to follow the progress of the various graces pictorially. A fitting finish to jfcie close of the football season is the /set of football photos of the Maori ■Jlugby team -. New Zealand at AthPark, while the N.Z. Golf Championships figure in a page of the winners and runners-up.