FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 519, 1 April 1920, Page 4

FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

ENGINEERS REPORT. (Continued from Tuesday.) Irish Road, Pokeno.—lt is now found necessary, owing- to scarcity of teams and labour, to leave the formation of this road till the county teams are available to do the work. Arrangements are being made, however, to improve one portion temporarily in the meantime. Improvements to Maungatawhiri Stream.—ln connection with the

clearing of willows, etc. from the Maungatawhiri Stream, it was considered necessary also to divert the stream at a point immediately above the bridge. This alteration will give the stream a straight course and prevent the washing away of road reserve at some future date. As the Drainage Board men were available, arrangements were made to proceed with the work.

The clearing of willows will be proceeded with when the No. 2 engine is returning from Mangatangi. Aka Aka Landing.—A deputation comprising interested settlers waited on Cr. Reid and myself at Aka Aka, and pointed out requirements at the landing. Should your council see its way clear to undeutake the construction of Janding and shed, I would suggest that application be made to the Marine Department for a • £1 for £1 subsidy. The proposal is to erect a landing breastwork about two chains long to a suitable height and fill in the approach; also to erect a shed of a suitable size'. The approximate cost of this work is £450. I have been given to understand that the New Zealand Cooperative Dairy Co. Ltd. is prepared to supply and fix a steam winch for loading and unloading at the landing.

Approach Bridge at Aka Aka Cheese Factory and Landing.—At a previous meeting of your council instructions were given me to furnish an estimate of the cost of a new bridge. It is the intention of the Drainage Board to widen the main drain to 25ft. This, I understand, will be undertaken in about 12 months. The bridge construction cannot be done till the widening has been completed, and some alteration made to the main Aka Aka to Pukekohe Road. The total approximate cost of the proposed bridge will be £l2O. Biddle's Road, Aka Aka. —After inspection it is considered advisable to form this road. It being impossible with the available funds to do the whole length in one year, the intention is to start at the Aka Aka end and do as much as possible each year till the road is completed.

Mission Bush and McElwain's Roads The metalling of these roads has now been completed, the total quantity of stone crushed being 2028 cubic yawls. Arrangements have been made to roll both roads with the Waiuku Town Board's steam roller. Access Road to Drury Station. — The formation of the access road to central station at Drury has been completed, the grade being 1 in 20. The width of road is 30ft. Sufficient metal or scoria is to be delivered at Drury for metalling purposes. Whangarata to Pokeno Railway Route.—With the object of acquiring land for road purposes at the back of the Whangarata station, and also a small piece at the southern end, an inspetcicn was made by an officer of the railway engineering staff. The Department now intend forwarding a plan showing the railway land available for road purposes. When this comes to hand the survey and legalisation of the whole length can be proceeded with. I

would suggest that special representation be made to the Public Works Department asking for a grant or subsidy sufficient to cover cost of legalisation and fencing. Access Road to Section 157, Opaheke Parish.—Mr. R. Inglis applied at different times to your council for work to be done to make the above road passable for vehicular traffic. On inspection I find that the necessarv works would cost upwards of £l6.

Bridge Over Maketu Creek.—ln company with Cr. Thomas I made an inspection of the bridge and found it under water to the extent of about 2ft. The bridge to all appearances in its present position was built above water level, but owing to the growth of willows and blockages in the creek the water is dammed back to such an extent that it covert, the bridge decking. A new bridge would cost approximately £2OO. As there are few settlers interested we are of the opinion that the expenditure of this amount would be altogether too great. It is the intention as soon as possible to ascertain if the present bridge is worth raising. If so this could be done at a reasonable cost. Edge Bros' Road, Pa.wata.— A letter v»as received from Mr James Oliver asking for improvements on the above road. Some time ago a report was submitted to your council by me stating that a deviation would be necessary. Since that report the adjoining land has changed hands. The present owner, Mr. \VolfeiuUn, is prepared to give the necessary land free of cost and without fencing in. exchange for the present road. I would now recommend that on these terms the necessary land bo acquired foi« the proposed deviation.

Pendergrast Road, Pokeno —At last meeting Mr. H. A J Read and 1(1 others forwarded a petition regarding the state of this road. It is intended to do what is required at an early date, when the \ T o. 2 plant is in the district. Caie's Road, Maungatawhiri Valley. With reference to the application received for gravelling portion of this road i( has been decided to do 12 chains of gravelling, provided the necessary labour is available. Access to Section Nos. 70, l.'t, 12 and 4:1, llunua.- Some time ago proposals were submitted to the Public Works Department for the formation of two roads to give access to the i'bovementioned sections. The grant and loan money available was not sufficient to carry out the proposals as submitted. On making enquiry as to delay in approving of same, I was infoijmed that the matter of increasing the grant to meet the expenditure has been under consideration by the Department, and that it has now been decided to grant the required sum. The report was adopted without further discussion.