TO BE INSPECTED

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3293, 28 July 1943, Page 7

TO BE INSPECTED

COUNTY ANGLE-DOZER / DISCUSSION BY COUNCIL REQUEST FROM RATEPAYER The angledozer recently purchased by the Coromandel County Council was the subject of lengthy discussion at the July meeting of the Coromandel County Council, the question arising when Mr Woods of Colville waited on the council immediately after the morning adjournment to seek the council’s permission to hire the’ machine for work on a private road he was constructing on his property. Cr. A. J. Denize introduced Mr Woods and asked him to put his case to the council which Mr Woods' proceeded to do. Mr Woods asked whether he could get any idea as to when the angledozer would be available to work on his private road and whether it was capable of doing the job. He mentioned that he had been on his farm for 40 years and now that he and his wife were getting on in years they felt more than ever the need of an access road to their property. For over 40 years their only way of getting out had been by. sea or on horseback. He pointed out that if the county machine was not available or could not do the work required he would endeavour to find some other means of getting it done. This request opened up a considerable discussion which lasted till the luncheon adjournment and then continued. until well in the afternoon.

All the councillors gave their views and ideas as to the capabilities and otherwise of the machine, quoting a considerable amount of outside talk about it.

The predominant view seemed to he that the tracks of the machine were worn out and consequently kept coming off when the machine worked on a sidling. Another p.oint of view was that the blade was at fault. The majority of the councillors were of the opinion that the machine had not had a fair trial. The jobs it had been put on to were tough and the weather adverse.

■ After many and v'aried suggestions and at times controversial arguments it was suggested by the chairman,’Mr C. C.Rae, that the machine be used on a job at Whenuakite and then brought over on to a job at Port Jackson, finally going in to do the work required on Mr Woods’ access road.

This however was not put as a resolution but Cr. E. M. Minifie proposed and Cr. A. Watkins seconded: “That all councillors attend a demonstration at Whenuakite in company with the Public Works engineer do see ho w the machine worked and if they were not satisfied with its performance the engineer to get in touch with with the Public Works Department.” An amendment proposed 'by Cr. H. C. Bull and seconded by Cr. A. J. Denize “ That the machine be put in order before anything further is done, with it,” was lost, the motion as above being carried.