WORK IN MATAMATA COUNTY.

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 95, 15 August 1918, Page 2

WORK IN MATAMATA COUNTY.

Engineer’s Report. The engineer, Mr F. Shannon, submitted his report to the Matamata County council for the month of July as follows: In the Matamata riding metal has been ordered for repairs to the Matamata to Waharoa road, and some of the worst places have been repaired. General repairs will proceed as soon as the weather improves sufficiently for that purpose. General surface work and repairs have been carried out in the riding during the month by r two surfacemen. In company with Crs. Pohlen and Banks I visited the metal deposit on Mr Blennorhassett’s farm. The quality of ...the stone was found to be satisfactory, hut somo prospecting will have to be done to ascertain the extent of the deposit. I propose to have this done. In company with tiie same gentlemen I inspected the locality for road access to Moore’s section at Okauia. The piece of road required will prove very expensive to make owing to the stony nature of the country, and rocky stream to be crossed. I think that the road should uot be made, except in the event of a liberal contribution from the owner. In the Patetere riding the county teams have been engaged in repairs and gravelling when the weather permitted. At other times the men were engaged in surface work. Kuhtz has been engaged in surface work and cleaning out drains. The sui faceman, J. Mackin, has resigned. Repairs have been effected on the road from Tapapa to Putaruru. J. Bain has been doing repairs and filling in holes on the Hinuera roads with metal from Miller’s pit. In company with the chairman and Cr. Stopford I visited Omahine. We inspected the metal deposits, and had an interview with Mr C. C. Neal, who promised to put his terms in writing and submit them to the council for this meeting. With regard to the bridge, concrete culvert and deviation referred to by a deputation from Hinuera at last meeting, the Rangataniku bridge, is in good repair; the proposed concrete culvert, higher up the stream, is an impossible proposition. I took levels and found that it would require a filling 30 feet deep, and a cutting 30 feet deep to get a s uitable grade, the cost of which would be prohibitive. I took other levels and found I could get a grade of one in 20 from the present bridge, following the course of the Waihou stream. The deviation would be about 30 chains long. The present owner, Mr Tyler, will give the land for the road in exchange for the old road, provided it is fixed up before he erects his fences, and also on conditions that the grade is improved on the northern side of the bridge. This can be done by obtaining a small corner near the old cheese factory. In the Putaruru riding general surface work has been proceeding, and the cutting has been widened at the Waipa bridge. Bissett has been working on the Lichfield to Tokoroa road, and is now working on Mr Rollett’s road. On the Ngatiri-Okohikiri road Strong’s men have been cleaning/ the scrub, putting in drains, anti generally preparing for horse teanp, which will start work again as safon as the weather improves. / In the Maungatautari ridiug/only a small amount of surface work has been done this month, but as the weather improves the work will proceed. In the Taotaoroa riding a surfaceman is required, and I hope to arrange to get one started during the present month. Fraser lias not yet been able to secure shipping for the bridge timber from Australia, but hopes to be able to secure it shortly; he is making the ironwork for the . two bridges. Owing to complaints, and in accordance with your instructions with regard to stock wandering about the roads, I have appointed Mr E. E. Reid Haskell as ranger to impound stock found on the roads.