WORK IN THE COUNTY.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 211, 10 July 1914, Page 4

WORK IN THE COUNTY.

Thi Engineer's Report.

The county engineer (Mr J. F. McArthur) reported to ths last meeting of the Franklin County Cuuncil as follows: QUARRIES. At la«t meeting of your Cjuncil I received instructions to inspect and report on quarriea wi'hin the Franklin County; although unable durinc the moi th to inspect all quarries the following are the ones which were inspected in company with the member for ca:h riring. Fitzgerald's quarry,— This qvairy 13 situated on Mr Fitzijerald's propi'ity adjacent to the Great Siuth road, and is the only quarry available where stone can be procured at a reasonable cost for that portion of the Great South road between junction whh Pukekohe East road and Wright's hill, an approximate distance of 3 miles. The area required to be 9equired, including access road, would be three acres. Drury quarry.—There ii an unlimited supply of stone in this quairv, being of a rhst-class quality. I would suggest that a suitable area of ground be acquired, and also tramway reserve between quarry ?i'.c a'el Diury railway station. S'one fr m tfcis quarry would serve rll po. lions of the cour.ty dependent on the railway service for metal. I might |ont out that it is desirable tra! ytur touncil should undertake ihc iTaniifucture of concrete pipes fri.m 9 i.ithes diameter to 4 feet, a perm in it quarry being necessary for this purj.-oje.

Makstu quarry reserve.—This reserve curtain i about 16 acres of land and i.< under iha jurisdiction of the Opahelc Road Board, \our Council beng at lib rty to obtain stone f.cc of c st. The stone is of good quality, several hundred cubic yards having this year been spawled and crushed. This quarry serves the Rama Rama and Maketu districts. Between Maketu and Drury quarries there is an unlimited suoply of rubble stone suitable in every respect for roads where there is only light traffic. Tuakau quarry.—This quarry is situated on Mr J. Fulton's property off Tuakau-Whangarata road, the Etone available teing of a particularly good quality and easy to get out. This quarry should be acquired by your Council. Including access road the quarry site weuld require to contain upwards of 2 acres. Beach road quarry.—lt is important thtt a quairy should be obtained in this part of the district. At present a contract 'u in progress delivering stone frum a quarry on Mr T. McGuire's property. On further inspection it would be ascertained whether this quarry was of a permaneit nature

Other suitable quarries will be inspected during the month and a further report furnished at next meeting of your Council. Cr Fulton said he wished Bcyroft's quarry, Tuakau, to be included. He understood before th.it this site was under offer to the N.Z. Dairy Association, but now found this was not eo.

A committee was appointed to further consider the question of quarries.

RAILWAY CROSSINGS.

The Railway Department wrote asking if your Council would suggest at which crossings it would be desirous of erecting notice boards, and if your Council would maintain same after erection. The following are crossings at which I would recommerd notices be posted:— Tuakau in township, Great South road Runciman, Drurv to Waiuku road near McPhersoss'. The«»e crossings sre all of a dangerous nature and every warning possible should be given to the travelling public when approaching. Cr Lyons asked to have the Mercer crossing added, which was very dangerous. HERROLD'S ROAD, WAIPIPI.

This road has been pegged off and plans prepared. The work will be put in hand at once and the construction carried out as far as available funds will admit.

McCULLY BKOS., WAIPIPI. A letter was received requesting that the money paid'to the Waipipi Road Beard, £4, to he sub.iducd £1 for £l, should either bu refunded or the work put in band. I would estimate the amount required to form the road in question at approximately iilGO, and would advise your Council to refund the amount subscribed. It wns decided to ascertain who had contributed the £4 and refund the money. Oi'AUA 10 MAIORO ROAD.

In laying out for construction a portion of this road, it was found that to deviate the road through Mr Sherraru's the co9t of construction and grada would be lessened considerably. Mr Sherrard aerced to give the necessary luid required for £l2; toe work has been laid out on the new line and fence shifted to required position. BRIDGE AT MERCER.

The bridge on county boundary past Merer is dangerous, one of the outside piles having rotted away. I understand this bridge is not under the control of this Council. I wro'e some time ago to the Waikato County drawing their attention to the dangerous state of the bridge over Mangatangi river, giving sizes of timber required for repairs. Up to the present I have not heard from them. Willows in bed of stream at this bridge require to be removed aa the obstruction may cause damage in time of flood.

CONCREI'E WALL, WAIUKU. The concrete wall constructed on street line in front of Methodist Church, Waiuku, is now completed, the work having been done in a satisfactory manner; the amount contributed to cost of construction, viz., £25, is passed for payment and appears in to-day's accounts. RUTHERFORD'S ROAD.

1 wrote to Mr Rutherford as per instructions from your Council giving approximate estimate of cost of construction of road, and asking that the amount either be paid over to the Council or that it be done privately. In reply, Mr Rutherford states that when he sold to Mr Brownlee an arrangement was made to the effect that he would have a right to cross over Mr Brownlee's section to the road in eiuestior. Since, however, through some di9Hgreement Mr Brownlee has blocked his gate, preventing Mr Rutherford from gaining access to the road; by getting through this way the distance is only 30 chains, and by going round 4 miles. Mr Rutherford states that he will not form the road unless Mr Brownlee allows him to get tj the ruad as previously arranged. The chairman said he had seen Mr Rutherford, who thought the engineer's estimate excessive, but said he would pay 15s per chain. „ Cr Wilcox said he also saw Mr Rutherford. He did not think 15s was enough, but under the circumstances he would move, ThaMhe offer be accepted. Cr Fulton seconded. Although not satisfactory this was perhaps the best way out or the difficulty. The motion was carried.

RESIGNATION. I regret to have to state tint Mr James Comric h. s resigned the portion of ergi e driver, ttc. Applications to till the position are to be invited. GOVERNMENT GRANTS.

1 would respectfully draw your Council's attention to the fact that application should be made tn the Public Works Department for grants, requesting that the different Htnounts as fhown on application forma be included in 1914-1915 appropriations, and also that a copy be forwarded to the members for the districts and the Minister for Public Works. Applications and communications in connection with these giants should be sent officially through this office. PURA PURA AND WHIM WHIRI CONTRACT.

These two contracts, Nos. 4 and 21 respectively, were let to Messrs Honey Bro?. some considerable time ago. I find it impossible to get the work carried out according to plans and specifications. It is my intention, therefore, to take the works out of the contractors' hands and employ other persons to exeeute the same. 1 am given power to do this under clause 19 of the general conditions of contract, the contractors to pay for cost of such work. WAIUKU-AWIHTU ROAD.

At last meeting of your Council I reported having d:lined a line of road between junction with Kohe Kobe road and Pollok, wherein I stated I would give cost, length, etc., at this meeting. The cosi of consttuction, including fencing, will be approximately, £3400, the total distance being 4 miles 33 chains. BYCROFT'd ROAD, TUAKAU. Before this road can be takco over by your Council it will require to be reformed and put in good order. If arrangements could be made with Mr Bycroft I would meet him on the ground and point out what requires t> ba done.

CONTRACT LET. Plans and specifications have been prepared and a contract numbered 69 let to Mr F. N. Twining; supply of ironwork, filling, and gravelling approaches, and the erection of a bridge over Blow Hole creek, Maungatawhirl Valley. The contract price being £56 9s; the timber has been supplied on site of works by the Council. Cr Henry said he would like It reported that the work of repairing the two bridges on the WaiukuDrurv rosd had been put in hand. The report was adopted.