FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 256, 6 March 1917, Page 4

FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

County Engineer's Report.

At the meeting of the Fra&klin County Council last Thursday the County Engineer (Mr J. F. McArthur) reported as follows : Government Grants—Plans and specifications which were previously forwarded to the Public Works Department for a number of Government grants had now been returned approved. They are. however, subject to conditions contained in the Minister's letter to the Council, dated the B'.h December, 1916, which stated that the work may be proceeded with and completed by the Council and the amouuts should be payable by the Government Only when money is available and in such amounts and at such dates as may be most convenient to the Government.

Approved proposals up to date for 1916-17 grants are as follows : Creamery road, £IOO, £ for £ ; Bombay to Paparata, £IOO, £ for £ ; Opaheke Main road, £IOO, £ for £ ; Jamieson's road, Buckland, £SO, £ for £; Beloe road grant, £100; Waiuku Pollok road to Te Tora wharf, £100; Maramarua to Maungatawhiri Valley, Enoch's Deviation, £IOO.

Proposals for the expenditure of the following grants have beea forwarded during the month: —Clark road, Waiau, £100; Otaua Swamp road to Port Waikato, £IOO ; Pollok post office to Awhitu Central, £75 ; Pendergrasts Bridge flood damage, £25, £ for £ ; for balance Otaua to Maioro swamp road, £35. Plant and machinery—Owing to the scarcity of labour and the excessive cost of long carting of stone by teams it would be advisable to purchase a number of waggons and do the bulk of the carting by traction engine. These, waggons could be used to advantage in carting metal and spawls up to a distance of three to four miles, the cost would not exceed 3s per cubic yard as against from 5s to 6s if done with teams It would also be advisable to purchase a traction engine for this purpose The County engine is at present engaged in caiting metal from the Pukekohe railway station to Puni, but will be required at an early date to resume crushing operations. I am confident that if the above additions to our plant were made it would mean a considerable saving financially and would also be the means of carrying out works in a more expeditious manner. A small grader, wheeled scoop and small scoop are required for surface work and small jobs in the Drury riding and the Karaka portion of the Mauku riding. With reference to the purchase of articles mentioned, I would suggest that the matter be left to the chairman and myself either to purchase what is required or to report as to cost, etc , at the next meeting. Foy's road, Pukekohe West—The present culvert at the junction with Domain road is quite inadequate. Considerable damage had been earned through the present culvert being too small to carry the large quantity of water from the Hill, and will now want replacing with a concrete culvert of 30 inches diameter. The cost would be £ls.

Flood Pamage—Owing to the excessive rains considerable damage had been done in different, parts of the County. The. Hunua district has suffered most, the Gorge Road having had damage done which will require approximately £350 to restore it to its former condition. During the year prior to the last damage this road cost the riding £22-') for clearing slips. Considerable damage also has been done to the Ponga Road, Hunua to Paparimu Road, Paparimu to Maungatawhiri Mew Road, Otau Road and other roads. To make good these damages will cost upwards of £4OO. In company with an officer of the Public Works Depaitment an inspection was made of the damage done with a view of obtaining financial assistance from the Government An application has been made to the Minister accordingly. Whitford Bros.' Access Road—An application was made by Messrs Whitford Bros for work to be done on their access road. Cr Lockwood and I went over the road. After going over the matter fully, we consider that, owing to the large amount of work which is required to be done on the Ponga Road, we cannot recommend that any liability be iucurred on the access road at the present time. The road in question branches off the Ponga Road at the Ponga School.

The reuort was adopted subject to certain alterations In regard to Jamieson's Rual, Buckland, ic was agieed on the uioti iu of Cr VY ilc >x, secomied by Cr Henry, that the balance of the loan money and £-50 in addition be spent for work on that road. In the matter of the proposed purchase of plant and machinery it was resolved that the engineer report as to the cost of the pLnt and machinery at the next meeting of the Council subject to the purchase of a grader and scoop for use in the Drury Riding be proceeded with forthwith.

Finance. The County Clerk (Mr A. P. Day) repoited as follows at the meeting of the Franklin County Council on Thursday : County Fund Account —The overdraft at National Bank as per pass book on 24th February was £2602 10s 2d ; plus unpresented cheques 24th February, £llO7 19j 7d, £3710 9s 7d ; less cash banked since, £790 15s 7d ; the total debit balance on 28th February being £2919 14s. Accounts now payable from this account amount to £1964 6s 6d. Loan Accounts —The following are credit bank balances on the various Loan Accounts at this date :—Hill District (No. 2) Loan, £458 7s lOd less £4l 6s 4d accounts payable ; Hunua Riding Roads Loan, £3l 6s 9d less £l6 14s Id accounts payable; Pratt's Hill Deviation Loan, £698 108 Id less £192 5s 4d accounts payable ; Needles Wharf Loan, £2O 18s 3d ; Brown's Road (Tuakau) Loan, £361 ss. The report was adopted and the accounts referred to therein were passed for payment.