MATAMATA COUNTY WORKS.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 159, 18 November 1926, Page 5

MATAMATA COUNTY WORKS.

THE ENGINEER’S REPORT. Work of Past Month. Mr. M. E. Fitzgerald, county engineer, submitted the following report to the Matamata County Council on Friday:— “ The exceptionally heavy rains of the past few weeks have been very severe on road surfaces. The men and trucks have been busy getting roads into summer condition, arid, in addition to general work of this nature, the Fords have continued the sanding of the Tirau-Tapapa main highway, repairs to the' Tirau-Cambridge length, metal repairs to main highway and main road at Te Poi and metal repairs on Waiomou main road. The Wehr grader faced up Tirau-Cam-bridge main highway, Maungatautari main road, Hinuera Valley and parts of Murphy’s road. The Fordson outfit continued banking up and grading in Matamata area. The horse team continued banking up metal between Tirau and Hinuera and moved to Peria for general repairs to riding roads.

“ The Kainiai surfaceman has been busy clearing up water-tables and repairing and blinding metal. Surfacemen at Lichfield and Tokoroa have done a considerable amount of repairs to the main highway .with pumice and Rhyolite.

“ No. 1 steam roller was engaged on loan work on the main highway near Matamata and has been on hire to Matamata Town Board. No. 2 steam roller was engaged on loan work near Matamata and at Waharoa. No. 2 motor roller was engaged on loan works near Matamata and moved to Waiomou main road where metal surfaces are being repaired. “ Strong is still carrying out ..earthwork at Maungatautari. Rossi completed his metalling work at Maungatautari. Wairere Quarry Co. has completed the main highway I from Matamata to Waharoa and the main street in Waharoa and are now pushing on towards the Wardville Corner. “ Oraka bridge,' Tirau, is completed and was opened to traffic on October 18. The cost, including approaches, removal of old bridge and supervision, was £I6BB. Okauia bridge is completed. Filling at Bailey’s culvert, Tirau, is about half done—one end of the old" bridge subsided about three feet during the heavy rains on Sunday, October 10, but was lifted back and propped the same day. The 18ft bridge at the foot of French Pass hill is almost beyond repair, and will require to be rebuilt in the near future.

“ The bitumen heating plant at Matamata depot is practically completed. .No. - 1 Thornycroft lorry has been sent to Auckland, where the conveyor tank will be fitted to it. “ Tenders for supplies of bitumen and for construction of some road surfaces are returnable on the ISth inst. It is proposed to submit the same, together with general estimates, to the Main Highways Board and thereafter submit proposals to the council. “ The Main Highways Board will be visiting this county on the 25th inst.” The report was adopted.,