ROAD WORKS IN FRANKLIN

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 324, 6 November 1917, Page 1

ROAD WORKS IN FRANKLIN

At last Thursday's meeting of the Franklin County Council the Engineer (Mr J. F. McArthur) reported as follows: Mercer Quarry—Quarrying operations have been carried out during the month and also development work, and the necessary repairs to plant, tramway, etc. In connection with the development of quarry, I would suggest that the quarry be takeni in on a lower level. The work could be carried out without interfering with the present working of the quarry. This should be gone on with at once as it would enable a very large face of stone toTbe worked on and would also do away with one handling of stone between thequarry and crusher. This would tend to cheapen the output per yard considerably. I have received an offer of a complete suction gas plant which is required for the quarry to replace the traction engine at present engaged compressing air and crushing. This plant will givfl very much bett r results and can 1)9 worked at a minimum cos-. The traction engine would then be avail able for other purposes. The price is £250 f.o r Auckland. I would suggest that this plant he procured as it would be most sui able for the work required. Metal dumps at s-titiion. -In reply to an application I have been informed by the District Traffic Manager of Railways that a space for metal dumps can be provided at ihe different stations as under, viz : Papakura, Opaheke, Diury, Runciman, Pukekohe, Buckland, Tuakau, and Pokeno. There is no space available at Whangarata or vlercer for dumps. As the Paerata station is being remodelled no space can be provided in the meantime. Paerata Quarry. —I made an inspection of this quarry. It is situated at the Paerata falls. A fairly good graded acce-s road his been put into the quarry. The stone could easily be carted after quarrying on to the new road on the western side of Paerata station. The stone is of a grey nature of medium quality and would bo suitable for ordinary traffic. I have not yet ascertained what the cost of spawls would be placed on the roadside ready for crushing. I would, however, suggest that the rnatfer of procuring stone from this quarry be held over for the present until something definite is ascertained regarding the cobt of the supply and aeiivery of broken metal from the Council's quarry at Mercer. Contract Karaka Quarry.— A contract has been entered into for quirrying, spawling, winding and stacking 2000 c.y of stone at Karaka quarry, the contractors being William Barraclough and A. F. Smith. Pukekohe East to Drury roadTenders were invited for 100 c.y. of spawls at Comrie's Hill, no tenders being received. This road has been subjected to a large amount of heavy traffic during the past wet senson and will require a considerable quantity of metal for repairs before next winter. Tenders should be called for the quarrying of say 500 c.y. of stone. A contract of this size could be let more readily than the smaller one already advertised. I might mention that this road has become a very important one and, in | fact, is during the winter months the main access road to Pukekohe and surrounding districts fiom Auckland. I would strongly urg» that, adequate provision be made regarding the supply of metal for the maintenance of this road. Glenbrook-Mauku road.—At the last meeting Cr Henry brought forward the question of forming and metalling the portion of this road between the Waiuku road corner at Hillside and Glenbrook. £2OO could be expended on the formation to advantage and the metalling would cost £630, making a total of £B3O

Proposed Loan, Harrisville. In response to an application made to the Public Works Department for a subsidy of £1 for £1 on the loan of £2OO proposed to be laised by the settlers interested in the half chain road at Harrisville, Mr Harding, the Department's Engineer, made an inspection, in company wi hCr Wilcox and myself. A report regarding this road will be submitted by Mr flardii-g to his Department. who will in due course communicate with the council.

Kolieroa Block roads.— During the month I pointed out to Mr Harding, the Public Works De p irtment's Engineer, the various roads in this block for which I understand there is a sum available tor expenditure of £9OO Two of the principal roads in the block have already been laid out, levels taken, et j., by and proposals submitted -tnd approved by the Department. The grauts under which the proposals were submitted were not sufficient to complete the works. One nf the roads in question has already been partly formed but the other (Enock's Division) has not yet been started. I would now suggest that ?he Department be asked to provide the necessary amount out of tho money available and allow tho Council to complete the one road partly done, and also Enoch's deviation In connection with Enock's deviation the Council is taking land from Messrs Friedlander's to connect up with the MangatangiMiranda road. As this is necessary for the adaquate'roading of the block I would also suggest that the Department be requested to pay the cost of the land required for the road and also the portion of severance

Stone Contracts, Mercer Riding.— It_will be necessary to provide for a considerable amount of maintainance on this road owing to the excessive rains and heavy traffic. I would suggest that tenders be invited for quarrying and spawling 300 cy. of blue stone on Council's reserve and 300 c.y. of brown stone at Pendergrast's quarry.

Great £Wh Road, Mercer Riding—lt is intended during the coming season to expend £250 on the road between Whangarata road and Pokeno, including a portion of Mercer Hill. The work proposed to be carried out includes the scarifying of the present metalled road, grading, re-metalling and rolling with engine and roller. Portions of the road at Razorback will be treated in a similar manner, 200 c.y. of broken metal being on hand for the purpose. Accesi road, Helvetia Station. — Regardiog the expenditure of £IOO previously authorised for expenditure to give access to the Helvetia Btation from the southern side I, in company with Urs Woods and Motion, made an inspection of the road. After going into the matter it was found that the road as fenced was not correct. The necessary information required to define the proper boundaries is being procured and when it comes to hand the work will be gone on with Application has been made to the Public Works Department for a £ 1 for £ 1 subsidy on the £IOO to be expended by the Council. Road Deviation, Kohekohe. — A deputation waited on Cr Renall regarding a deviation of the land at Mr Cooper's, Kohekohe. The matter was brought up by Cr Renall at the last meeting and was left for inspection and report. I accompanied Cr Renall and the settlers interested over the proposed deviation. I consider it very necessary that the land required should be acquired. During the present month I intend laying off the deviation and when the line has been defined it will be possible to ascertain what compensation Mr Cooper will require for the land to be taken. New road, Koheroa Parish. —A plan of a new road was received from the Lands Department, asking for the Council's consent to the legalisation o' the same. The road runs through a property owned by Mr Keiley, of Mercer, who objects to the position of a portion of the road as at present surveyed. A deviation at tlus point would not interfere with the grades or construction of the road. I consider that the Lands Department should make the alteration as desired before the Council give their consent to the legalisation of the road. Access road, Maungatawhiri Valley.—At a previous meeting Mr Lewis wrote asking that something be done to improve the access road to his farm. Mr Lewis has arranged for a right of way through pi ivate property and does not now desire that anything be done to the legal road. I might mentisn that this road is an exceedingly bad one. and it would take a large expenditure to make much improvement on it.

Proposed deviation of road, Mauku —Mr H. Wily, of Mauku, waited on the Council at the last meeting and submitted a skeich of a road running through his property with a deviation shown. In company with Mr Wily I went over the road and marked off the line of the proposed deviation. This would be an improvement on the present legal ioad. Mr Wily's offer of an exchange of land should be accepted and also his request regarding the closure of a small piece of road should be acceded to.

Tramway road: Engineering surveys have been carried out of portions of this road, viz, from Ti Ti farm corner to end of metal at Puni and from the end of the present metalled road on the eastern end to Mr Coughlan's gate. A small bridge will be required to be erected on this section. The portion of this road on the boundary between Waiuku and Mauku ridings between Glenbrook turn off and Mr Gearin's should be formed. This will eventually be the access road to the Glenbrook station for a large number of settlers. I would suggest that the different works on this road as mentioned be carried out as far as possible with the funds available.

Hunua Gorge road: In connection with the proposed loan and grant subsidy the portions of the Gorge which require widening have been pegged out, sections of some will be taken as soon as time permits and proposals will be forwarded to the Government for approval. Works in Pukekohe ridings : Arrangements have now been made for all the earthworks in connection with the formation of various roads in the Pukokohe East anil West lidings, two different gangs being engaged with teams wheeled scoops, Austin grader, etc. The metalling of Brown's road, Tuakau, and Ewing's road, Whangarata, and also Druiy to Tuakau road, will receive attention as soon as the weather is suitable for such work. On Jamieson's road, liuckland, a contract was let for carting scoria from the railway station, i'iiis also will be proceeded with when the proper time arrives. The balance of the metalliug of load at Pupi under the llill JN'o. '2 Loan will be gone on with and completed as boou as the roads are in a fit condition to stand hauling with traction engine and waggons. It is in tended to complete this road with metal from Mercer and to blind the surface i with metal wwenings.

County teams plant: The plant has been during the month engaged in the Drury riding improving the Great South road and forming Wellington street, Papakura. It is now forming a portion of Watkinson and Dominion roads, Papakura. Arrangements have been made for the plant to form some of the roads in the Rama Rama district which will take about one month. Works generally: Works generally are receiving all possible attention Teams are, where available, doing work under the control of the different permanent surfacemen and should the season prove favourable all works as far as funds permit should be completed throughout the county. Karaka District roads: Arrangements are being made for the County team plant to start work on the Karaka roads at an early date. The road from Hingaia bridge out towards the Waiau is to be regraded and improved Provision has been made for placing 1100 c.y. of metal between the bridges and up to the end of Beach road. The WaiauKaraka road past Yates' faim is to be properly formed to a permanent grade. The road from Karaka school to Black bridge will be reformed and metalled, and portions of the road between this point and Glasson's creek will also be metalled in placed and improved. At the Karaka quarry about 2500 c.y. of metal will be available for carting out. Should the season prove favourable the above works and many other intended improvements should be completed before next winter. There are at present 17 contracts let and in progress. Stone crushing plant: The plant is at present engaged crushing metal at the Maketu quarry. It is intended that it should make a start at an early date on the stono stacked on on Brown's road, Tuakau. Had the weather been favourable this stone would have been put through beforo now. Burface work : The ordinary surface work has been carried out satisfactorily during thn month and as far as the available labour would permit. A number of small improvements have been made in different parts of the county, such as making up sides of metal roads putting in new culverts and making outlet drains. DECISIONS Arising out of the recommendations to purchase a suction gas plant for Mercer quarry it was decided that Crs Flanagan, Motion and Lockwood and the Engineer should be a sub-comjnittee to deal with the matter with power to act. In regard to stone contracts for Mercer riding Cr Lyons moved and it was agreed that tenders should be called and it would then be considered as to whether funds were available. Mr Wily's offer in the matter of the proposed deviation of road at Mauku was accepted.

It was resolved that the recommendations by the Engineer for the different works on Traruway road should be approved. With reference to the suggestion in the Engineer's repot t that the sum of £2OO could be expended oil the forming and u.etalhng of portion of the road between the Waiuku ro.\d (Orner at Hillside and Ulen'no k the matter was referred to the Biding member to jepori on The report as a whole was then adopted.