COST OF THE ROAD

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32410, 22 March 1944, Page 5

COST OF THE ROAD

QUESTION OF FILLING CLAY HANDY IN AREA INFORMATION FROM SETTLERS Mr McDonald in opening the meeting explained the reason for the conference. It had been called to enL, deavour to make some progress in the construction of the Paeroa-Pate-tonga road. Mr McDonald was unanimously * appointed chairman of the meeting. The secretary, Mr A. J. Mayn, read, a letter from Mr A. S. Sutherland, M.P. for Hauraki, apologising for absence. He stated that he could not attend until Parliament finished sitting early in April. Mr J. Thorn, M.'P. for Thames, wrote in a similar strain, suggesting that the confeience should forward its findings to him and he would contact Mr Sutherland and do the best possible to push the scheme. Asked by the chairman, Mr M. Thomas, Public Works Department engineer of Paeroa, said he considered the road a fairly difficult proposition to construct. Four. miles of the road would have to be built across deep swamp. He had estimated the A cost of filling for a 20ft. road 3ft. deep and although this would actually be inadequate filling the cost was sufficient. He estimated that 7'3,000 yards would need to be carted from the Kaihere hills and this would cost approximately 12s 6d per yard or a total of £45,750. Then there were the Piako river and Awaiti Canal to bridge at an approximate cost of £3OOO for each bridge. Culverts, etc., would cost approximately £2250 while metalling at £1 per yard would cost about £BOOO, a total cost of £62,000. Rough Estimate Only Mr Thomas emphasised that his figures were merely a rough estimate for the job to give a basis on which to discuss the project. He did not consider 3ft. depth of filling was anywhere near enough. Mr McDonald asked whether the filling for the road could be dredged on to the road thereby reducing the cost of cartage. Mr Thomas replied that the land was deep peat and therefore was of no use for filling. Mr McDonald replied that a lot of f the land was clay. Mr Thomas said he had not taken any samples of the land and was working on information supplied by ' Mr E. Taylor of the Land Drainage Department, at Kerepeehi. Mr H. Taylor of Patetonga said that much of the land over which the road would pass was clay. At the very least there was the best part of a mile each side of suitable clay. He had tested the quality of the clay and found that it set like rock. If the clay was used the cost of cartage would foe greatly reduced as the material was already on the job. Other material could be taken from

the Piako river. The river needed straightening and widening and the material taken out could lb% used for filling. If still more material was needed he suggested a clay pit be established on the Awaiti side or some of the drains could be deepened to advantage and the spoil used for the road. Mr McDonald said that the clay pit could sbe established near the Kaihere landing as this would inconvenience nobody. The .Government did not propose opening up ,the land above the Kaihere landing. With such material available the cost of constructing the road would be reduced to about a quarter of that estimated. He estimated l the cost of filling at about 2s per yard compared with 12s per yard so that the road would cost only about £lB,OOO without bridges. If a dredge could be worked the price would be lower still. Land For Settlement Mr D. Leach, president of the Paeroa Chamber of Commerce asked whether the road’ would open up fresh land for settlement. Mr McDonald replied that the road would open up some 31 sections which at present were merely used for grazing fat bullocks. These 31 sections were to have been opened up several years ago but still nothing had been done. Mr H. Taylor* emphasised the value of developing the Hauraki Plains from a county and production point of view. Mr S. Howie spoke of the value of the land which would be opened up by the proposed road. He had, he said, recently walked over the length of the road and inspected the land. If the drains were opened up the land would be first-class. Mr Taylor also praised' the quality of the land, contending that there was nothing in the Thames Valley better than it. Mr J. Mayn pointed out that the opening up of the road was the main point in which the conference was interested. With the spoil available near the area to build the road the cost would not be too great. He pointed out that approximately one mile of the road each end was already formed, leaving only about 21 miles to be formed. He quoted instances of other roads built across peat swamps successfully and therefore he could see no reason why this road could not easily be constructed. Mr W. McDuff of Patetonga endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers, claiming that the project was a practical one. Use of Dredge Suggested Mr H. V. Hazard, Patetonga, also emphasised that the road was entirely practical and that suitable spoil could be secured for filling from the river and from near th* l road. He suggested that a suctioncutter dredge could deliver spoil through pipes to the road from the river. Mi* Thomas agreed that such a machine was in the country and had been used on the Hauraki Plains in the past. If such a machine was used the cost would be much reduced.

He agreed that the cost of material taken from the river would reduce the cost of the road greatly. Mr D. G. McMillan, Kerepeehi, said it appeared to him that the Government policy with regards to the development of the Hauraki Plains was just to “stay, put.” There were over 100'0 acres for settlement but the area was not to be opened for selection and at present was only being used for grazing bullocks. This land, he contended, was the best offering in New Zealand for settling soldiers. He urged that the conference endeavour to secure a statement as to the Government’s policy on this question. Mr McDonald stated that the Land Drainage Engineer, Mr Taylor, had assured him that the Government did not intend to open up any more land on the Plains. Mr Hazard said the conference should be told what reason the Government had for not openingjup fresh land. 'Possibly there were sound reasons for this policy but all should know of them. Asset To The District Mr D. Rodgers of Patetonga emphasised that a lot of land was ready for development at present and the conference should push to have the land settled. The land was ready for settlement 10 years ago but nothing had been done. If this land was settled it would be a great asset to the district and would reduce the length of the road to Patetonga considerably. Mr Mayn reported that the Land Drainage Engineer from Kerepeehi had been called away urgently, to Whakatane and therefore would not be attending the conference. Mr McMillan suggested that a deputation be sent to the Minister of Works asking his assistance in the matter. The value of the road and the land which would be opened up should ibe pointed out to the Minister. Mr Mayn reported that he had received advice from Mr A. S. Sutherland, M.P. for Hauraki, who stated that he was endeavouring to get the Minister of works to inspect the area as soon as possible after Parliament adjourned. Mr Leach offered to approach Mr Thorn to him to inspect the area at the same time. The opinion was expressed that if the Minister saw the area.he would be quite impressed. It was pointed out that at present it took three days to drive stock from Patetonga to Morrinsville while across the proposed road to Paeroa would be merely a one-day drive. Mr Taylor emphasised the future before Paeroa. Paei*oa was a town which would experience astounding growth, especially after the PaeroaPokeho railway was completed. Roads leading out of Paeroa to the surrounding district would be most necessary. Council Behind Project Mr Edwin Edwards, Mayor of Paeroa, assured 1 the conference that the Paeroa Borough Council was 100' per cent, behind the project. The Paeroa Chamber of Commerce had been interested in the road for over 20' years and the business people of the town were definitely interested in the Patetonga district and the development of the land between the two districts. Personally, he said, he knew the whole area very well indeed and agreed that the land was some of the best in New Zealand. He thought the conference should not only advocate the road but also the possibility of the opening up of a big area of land. Continuing, Mr Edwards urged that the conference endeavour to arrange for the Ministers of Works, of Lands and of Rehabilitation to visit the district and inspect the project. If these men saw the area he did not doubt that they would be greatly impressed. He considered that the Hon. R. Semple would be a. good man to get to inspect the area as he was certainly a man who got things done. Mr J. H. Bartlett, Paeroa, endorsed the remarks of Mr Edwards and assured the conference of the full support of the Paeroa Chamber of Commerce. He agreed l that the Ministers referred to by Mr Edwards should be asked to inspect the area. Mr Edwards moved that this meeting of Patetonga settlers and delegates from the Paeroa Chamber of Commerce, Hauraki Plains County Council and the Paeroa Borough Council forward a request to the Minister of Works asking him to visit the district to inspect the route of the proposed road to link Paeroa and Patetonga. That it be pointed 1 out that there was a large block of land which was ready for dairying and could be used for the settlement of returned servicemen. The Minister

to !be asked to arrange for the Ministers of Lands and Rehabilitation to accompany him. This was seconded by Mr D. G. McMillan and carried unanimously. It was agreed that each of the interested organisations should take up the matter individually also and that Messrs J. Thorn and A. S. Sutherland, M’s.P., be informed of the resolution and asked to further the request from the conference. Appreciation to Mr M. Thomas, Public Works Department engineer at Paeroa for his attendance and a vote of thanks to the chair closed the meeting.