FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 385, 21 June 1918, Page 1

FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Engineer's Report

At the last meeting of the Franklin County Council the Engineer (Mr J. F. McArthur) reported a 9 follows :

Drainage Maungatawhiri Yalley Road : At the meeting of the Council held in April a letter was received from Mr S P. Pendergrast, of Maungatawhiri Valley, asking the Council's assistance in connection with dredging the Maungatawhiri Stream and instructions were given me to report thereon. In company with Cr Hille I went over the leDgth of the creek which it is proposed to dredge and also the portion completed, starting at its junction with the Maungatawhui Valley Road and coming out at the junction with the Great South Road near Mercer. The work already done by the River Board in this locality consists of dredging the creek for a distance of about four miles at an approximate cost of £I,BOO. The work has bo»ri well had thoroughly done. The completed portion of the creek is an average width of 20 feet I understand that the River Board have funds amounting to £IOOO yet to expend on this work and it is estimated tnat this sum will complete the same up to the " Maori Land ing" From a little above this point a creek diversion was made by the settlers some 20 years ago. This diversion comprises a drain 10 feet wide and approximately 120 chains in length. In preference to dredging and improving the original creek bed this diversion should be widened out to 20 feet. It is estimated that in addition to the money available for the dredging of the creek to the junction at the Maungatawhiri Yalley Road the further sum of £SCO will be required. This would enable the whole length of the creek from its junction with the Waikato River to the Valley road being widened to a width of not less than 20 feet in any one place. I understand an application has been made by the River Board to the Government for the above sum. I would strongly urge upon thp Council the necessity of this work being completed, as it would not only greatly benefit the settlers in the surrounding district but wi uld also enable the Council to maintain some miles of the Valley Road in a proper manner and at much less cost than at present. Owing to the flooding of the Maungatawhiri Stream the road material is continually being washed away and the road damaged The clearing and dredging of the creek as mentioned above would overcome this trouble and would enable a better and more permanent road to be constmcted.

Moumoukai Yalley Road : During the month an inspection was made of this road and arrangements made for the necessary surface work to be carried out and the reconstruction of a number of culverts. Cameron Town Road : Mr A G. Potter made application in March for work to be done on this road. The matter was referred to the Riding member and myself for a report. An inspection (-hows that the portion of the road referred to has never been formed and is badly overgrown with noxious weeds etc All that could be done with the funds available would be the construction of a light piece of forma tion for a distance of (say' 20 chains. This would, however, be subject to the line of road being cleared of all growth. Government Grants : During the month proposals have been forwarded to the Public Works Department for approval for the following grants and subsidies, viz. : Metalling Pratt's Hill Deviation, £1 for £l, £I4OO ; Maungatawhiri Stream to Mangatangi, £1 for £l, £75 ; Waiuku to Drury Road balance £1 for £l, £SO; Happy Vulley to llunua, balance of authority, £22 17*; Karaka to Waiau Grant £1.50 ; Pullok Wharf Ap proach, balanre of authority, £'J Ns 9d ; Patumahoe to Railway Station Grant, £'2oo.

Work Done by Crushing Plants, r-tc : The total quantity of metal crushed in the County from the Ulst March 1917 to date amounts to '.1200 cubic yards. In addition tn this approximately 4600 cubic yards of metal, scoria and gravel has been obtained from Auckland andothei soirc' s, making an approximate total quantity of stone cpread on the County Roads since March 1917 of 13,800 cubic yards. The report was adopted.