ROADS TO ARAPUNI.

Putaruru Press, Volume II, Issue 48, 18 September 1924, Page 2

ROADS TO ARAPUNI.

TWO NEW ALIGNMENTS. Maungatautari and Waotu. A suggested deviation near the present Pukeatua bridge over the Waikato river to connect the Waotu road and the Puketurua roads there when the present connection at the bridge will be drowned out by the Arapuni lake was submitted to Friday’s meeting of the Matamata County Council by Mr. T. Rabone, Public Works engineer at Arapuni, who added that he understood that the council and the Waotu Timber Company were concerned. Cr. Darby said the grade of the deviation was good. It would also skirt the edge of the Arapuni lake for half a mile and make a fine picnicking ground. The Waotu Timber Company was prepared to contribute towards the cost if the road were put in at once, as it would facilitate the carting of their timber to Arapuni. It was resolved to ask the Public Works Department to expedite the construction of the deviation. The question of road connection from the Maungatautari district to the new Waikato river bridge at Arapuni, and thence to Putaruru, was the subject of another letter received from Mr. T. Rabone. In reply to the council he wrote: "As you are probably aware, the question of the relocation of the road from Maungatautari over the Waititi valley to Arapuni was discussed by the Waipa and Matamata county engineers and myself and as far as I can recollect the matter was left over indefinitely. I understood at the time that further negotiations would be necessary between the two county councils regarding the share of the cost of the construction of the necessary bridge and approaches thereto. In the meantime I will give the question of a new road to replace the present surveyed road that would be submerged- by the Arapuni works my attention.” It was resolved to ask Mr. Rabone to submit plans of the proposed new route as soon as practicable, it being considered that the Public Works Department should itake the initiative in the matter as the present road line would be drowned out by the Arapuni scheme. THE ACCESS ROAD. On the Putaruru-Arapuni access road local shingle is still being spread, a coating at present being put on the approaches to the Pokai bridge, while the bridge decking, etc., is being tarred.' Further toward Arapuni the metalling has again been trimmed with the grader to give it a good camber and even surface as it finally settles down.