COUNTY ENGINEER'S REPORT.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 164, 11 April 1916, Page 4

COUNTY ENGINEER'S REPORT.

At last Thursday's meeting of the Franklin County Council the County Engineer (Mr J. F. McArthur) reported as follows : Wallet's Road, Pimi-A letter was received from Mr Harvey asking that a portion of the road be formed and metalled In company with Cr. Woods I made an inspection of the road when it was decided to recommend that the ordinary surface work only be carried out this season. To do the work suggested by Mr Harvey would mean a considerable expenditure. I understand that a grant appeared in the I'JIJ-PJIO appropriations for the continuation of this road. I would suggest that the Public Works Department be requested to have a portion of the grant expended on the portion of road iu question. Tramway Road, Puni.—A start has been made draining the low portion of road ; when the necessary drains have been excavated aud the timber removed the road will bo formed up to a suitable height. Waiau Koads.—At last meeting I was instructed to report as to the cost of re grading the roads which were constructed out of loan by the late Mauku Road Board. After inspection I would estimate the cost of re-grading and improving at approximately £IBO. As it is now late in the season I would suggest that the portions of road most urgently requiring attention bo done, say at a cost of £SO. Swamp Crossing Wiley's Hill, Waiau.—Mr H. K Irwin wrote atating that improvements required to be made to this crossing. 1 find that the work required can be done by the surfacemen in a few days with the aid of horse and dray. The filling across the swamp is 12ft in width and only requires the sides and depressions making up to original formation level. Piggot's Hill Road, Mauku.-A letter was received from Mr S. Rowe asking that a water table be excavated and road formed along the frontage to his property. The work required would mean an expenditure of approximately £7. Ararimu Road Bridges.—lt has been found that most of the bridges on this road are not in a fit state to carry the County crushing plant; the bridge immediately past the Ararimu creamery is not safe for ordinary heavy trafiic. I have made a thorough examination of all the bridges and have noted what is required to enable traffic to pass without danger. As the cost would be heavy there are no funds available to meet the expenditure at present, I would suggest that tenders be called for hand breaking the 100 cubic yards of stone stacked near the creamery. Mangatangi to Miranda Road.— In company with Mr J. Higgins of the Public Works Department an inspection was made of this road when it was decided that work was to be undertaken by the Council. An engineering survey will be made early this month and tenders invited for the work as soon as possible Maori Road, Waipipi— A letter was received from Mr R. Hamilton asking that this road be formed on the proper line and a start has been made with the work The road will be made passable for trail ic on the legalised line. Waiuku Road Diainage from Mc-_ Nally's.—Levels have been taken and it has been found that the drainage can be brought down to the next corner towards Pukekohe." The work is to be put in hand at once and should be completed before the wet season commences.

Stone Crushing Plant.— Thy plant is now operating on the Tuakau to Drury Main Koad at Harrisvillo. Seyoral hundred yards of stone have been crushed at the Karaka ijuarry also at Whangarata and Puni roads Some little delay was caused through the engine breaking a bridge stringer and decking of a bridge on the Arariiuu road. Owing to the unsafe condition of other bridges it was thought advisable to bring the plant out of Araiimu till the bridges are strengthened'. Plant and Machinery.-I would respectfully point out that arrangements should bo made to purchase a traction engine with scarifying attachments before next summer. To make a satisfactory job of the present metalled roads it is necessary that the surface iu places should be scarified and levelled before the new metal is applied. If this weie done in sections, the whole section could then be rolled and a solid road would then be immediately available instead of the present method of patching, which leaves a rough surface.

Works in Progress. Works generally throughout the Couuty. both day work and contracts, are being carried out in a fairly tatisfactory manner. A start has been made with the construction of Needles Wharf, satisfactory progress having been made. The metalling and patching of a number of roads is being dono and arrangements made for further metalling throughout the County. Government Grants.—During the month proposals have been forwarded to the Public Works Department for the following grants, vi/ :—Forming and culveiting Mangatangi to Smith's. Metalling and reforming portion of Patumahoo to Drury via Woodhouso Hill. For metalling Jamieson's Koad, Buckland. Draining and forming Happy Valley Road. Formation of road, Karaka to Waiau. For gravelling Creamery road Hunua. Authority has been rocoived for the expenditure of £4OO, £ for SI, on Brown's Koad Tuakau.

An engineering survey has be6u made of Flexman's Poviatiou, Bald Ilill Bead, Waiuku riding; tenders wore called for the work one touder being leeeived, that of P. Scouller and Owen Short ; the tender being too high it was nut accepted. I placo before your Council three speciheatious for contracts which have been let and sigued by the contractors, and now require the Common Seal of the Council and the signatures of two members, vi/ :

Contract No. 100—For forming and adverting '>' l chains of Pratt':* JIM Peviatiou, Opaheke MuinPoad being the Ist section. Contractor,

Contract No. 167 For forming and culverting 3'2 chains of Pratt's Hill Deviation, Opaheke Main Koad being the 3rd section. Contractors, Aitkenhead and Young. Contract No. 170—For forming and culverting 46* chains of Hogwood's Deviation Koad, Waiau. Contractor, A. J. Moore.

The ordinary surface work has beencairied out satisfactorily during the month and improvements made generally to a number of roads. The report was adopted, the suggested purchase of a traction engine, with scarifier attached, being referred to the Finance Committee with a recommendation that it should be ascertained whether the Waiuku Town Board or the Pukekohe Borough Council would be prepared to hire out their traction engines, with scarifiers attached, and if so on what terms.