MATAMATA COUNTY.

Putaruru Press, Volume II, Issue 31, 15 May 1924, Page 3

MATAMATA COUNTY.

TOUR OF THF ROADS. Inspection of Highways. In view of the declaration of main highways and main county roads through the Matamata couitty, a tour of the conty roads was made recently, the party comprising the following:—Messrs. J. W. Anderson (chairman Matamata County Council), J. Pohlen (Matamata riding), H. Rollett (Peria riding), W. I. Allen (Okoroire riding), J. P. Kecley (Karapiro riding), S. H. Judd (Maungatautari riding), K. S. Cox (Tokoroa riding), Messrs. M. Fitzgerald (county engineer), H. Lewis (county clerk), together with Messrs. Baker (district engineer), and Hall Jones (assistant engineer, Public Works Department).

On the first day, starting from Tirau, the party proceeded to Matamata, Waharoa and then through Whangarau to Turanga-o-moana, where an inspection was made of a metal deposit. Returning to Matamata the party came through the Hinucra Valley to Cambridge, inspecting cn route a proposal to straighten the road through the Karapiro gorge. From Cambridge they journeyed through .Maungatautari riding to Tirau.

On Friday the motorists set out to Putaruru and Tokoroa, and via the Manga iti deviation to Whamaru, Mangaiti and Cox’s mill, returning via the old Mangaiti road to Tirau. On the third flay (Saturday), the party proceeded to Putaruru, Arapuni and Horahora, viewing a metal deposit at the Waikato river bridge, and then returning to Tirau. Owing to the heavy rainfall the Kaimai road and the Mamaku bush roads, both of which are to be highways, were not inspected. Trouble was encountered on the second day over the country traversed, the extra service placed on the roads by reason of the railway strike having rendered parts of the road recently under construction almost impassable and chains were necessary on the car wheels. Each of the three cars had in turn to be extricated, with the aid of shovels, the passengers lending a hand.

Altogether about three hundred miles were traversed, and the tour of inspection was. considered well worth undertaking.

Mr. Baker expressed his pleasure at and appreciation of the efforts of the council to obtain results, and expressed the opinion that, with the preparations laid out for loading in conjunction with the Highways Board, good results should be shown in the Matamata county.

Mr. Anderson, in replying, thanked the Department’s engineers for their attendance on the tour, and said the council was gratified to learn of the appreciation of their efforts as expressed.