COUNTY WORKS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5502, 18 November 1929, Page 1

COUNTY WORKS.

HAURAKI PLAINS OPERATIONS. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The Hauraki Plains county engineer (Mr F. Basham) reported to the council on Thursday last as follows :— Main Highways. “Pokeno-Waihi.—Necessary patching at the Pokeno end and general grading on the rest of the road has been carried out, and the road is in good order throughout. The gradingup and levelling of the clay thrown out of drains for haunching the metal is being interrupted by continuous wet weather. Where the work was completed a decided improvement to the cross-section of road was apparent, but it is doubtful whether, in view of the shrinkage due to evaporation of moisture from the clay, the consolidation by cattle traffic, there is yet sufficient material to make the most satisfactory job. Whether this is so or not, it is certain that no more clay can be obtained from drains, and if further clay has to be added it must be procured elsewhere. “Owing to the rough state of that portion of the road between the Waitakaruru canal and Dalgety’s corner it is necessary to complete the coating of the road with shingle to see it through the summer. As .this work was not provided for in this year’s estimates, arrangements were made with Mr Bryant to supply the shingle and wait for the money until after March 31 next. This work will then be regarded as part of next year’s programme. “Pipiroa-Coromandel.—The contractor has completed delivery of 500 yards of cjiips on this road, and these are being graded in periodically. There does not appear to be much tendency for them to fly off the road. “Orongo-Netherton.— From the Pipiroa-Coromandel road to the commencement of the bitumen has been coated with chips. The balance of the road is in good order. Pipiroa Riding. “Clay roads have been disced and graded. The 20 chains of metalling authorised to be done on Pouarua Road has been completed. Waitakaruru Riding. “Mahuta Road Bridge.—Plans and specifications for the erection of this bridge have been completed and forwarded to the Public Works Department for approval. Patetonga Riding. “Gluepot Bend.—Plans and sections of the proposed improvements are available for inspection, and further information asked for has been supplied by the Lands Drainage Department to the clerk., Turua Riding. “Notification of a £75 free grant for Captain Cook’s Road has been received from the Public Works Department. Kopuarahi Riding. “Ngataipua Road.—A start has been made to complete the seaond coat of metal on the short piece not completed last season, but weather has caused temporary stoppage. Pipiroa Ferry. “The new gates authorised by the council have been hung. In order to cope with the heavy summer traffic it is necessary to overhaul the engine. To obviate the closing of the ferry while this is being done I have purchased a second-hand Ford engine for £5. This has been put in good order and can be installed in about two hours on the first convenient night. One new guide-rope hap been fixed on the up-stream side of the ferry, and a new rope for the down-stream side is on order, as it will be required in the course of the next month. General. “Three tractors and graders are working on metal roads, wet weather stopping all work on clay roads. “The repairs to the bitumen road carried out with cold emulsion seem satisfactory, consideration might be given to the disposal of the heater and hot sprayer, and from the proceeds of the sale an emulsion sprayer at the cost of £95 might be procured.” In reply to Cr. Parfitt the engineer' said that the cold emulsion had proved satisfactory for patching, and the patches had the added benefit of not being slippery. The matter was left in the hands of the chairman, Cr. Madgwick, the engineer, and clerk.