MAIN ROAD METALLING.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 652, 18 March 1914, Page 5

MAIN ROAD METALLING.

WORK OF DEPARTMENT. REPAIRS BEING EFFECTED. In response to urgent representations the Minister for Public Works offered to the Waitomo County Council the aum of £I2OO for expendituie on the Te Kmti-Avvakino road between Te Kuiti and the nine-mile pet'. The work is at present being carried out. by the Public Works De.partment and very good progress ia being made with the repairs. As a result the worst portions of the lov.d will probably tin in good repair by the time winter arrives aim the road will be kept open fur traffic. ,In explanation of the fact that the County Council did not undertake the | expenditure of the money, Mr E. P.. Could, County engineer, stated at the Cowicil meeting on Monday evening t.mt in soon as information was received that the Council would be offered the money lie. wired to the Deportment pointing out that owing to the regulations to be observed conaidornbl" delay would ensue before the Council could "get to work. Plans and specifications would have to be submitted and approved by the Government enginoer, and the work advertised and let by contract, while difficulty would probably be experienced by contractors in getting a supply of metal at a reasonable cost. On the other hand the Department engineer wan already carrying out work on the road and had teams engaged for this particular work. The Department also had a crushing plant installed at the eleven-mile peg and could get a metal supply mure easily and cheaply than the Council. As compared with the Council accenting the offer and the Department carrying out the work an unavoidable delay of at least a month would be obviated, and a month's work at that particular time meant all *he difference between getting the road nut in order for the winter as compared with huving it in a had stale ur.d being compelled to carry out thf rt'oairs under Difficulties. He was glad to state the Department and accepted his recommendation, and was carrying out the work." Cr O'Dwyer said he considered this was as it should be. Tne fact that the Department was doing the work was an indication that the Government acknowledged its responsibility in respect to the road and also an acknowledgment of the injustice in handi'-'g the road over to the Council in a bad state. On she motion of Crs Johnston and Smyth the engineer's action was approved.