FRANKLIN COUNTY WORKS

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 556, 10 August 1920, Page 2

FRANKLIN COUNTY WORKS

ENGINEER'S REPORT. Engineer J. F. McArthur reported as follows to the council meeting Access Roads, Karaka Station. During the month a suitable position for a subway at Karaka station has been decided upon by an engineer of the Railway Department. The subway will be situated at the home signal at the northern end of station vard. This position will be suitable for the access roads on either side of line. I would suggest that your council now ask the Railway Department if it will construct the subway if the access roads are legalised r.nd made suitable to enable traffic to get to the station. An engineering survey will be made of the roads at an early date, and an estimate furnished of the cost of construction and land required to he taken. Foremen's Residences.

The matter of erection of residences for some of the foremen in the county was discussed at last meeting. A loan of £SOOO is nc\ available from the Advances Department for that purpose. To erect four suitable houses at the one time as shown on accompanying drawing of five rooms, bathroom, washhouse, etc., dimensions Blft Bin by 35ft 4in, built of the following materials, is estimated to cost, viz: Wooden buiidinir, £967; concrete block building, C 1057; brick building, £1079. These estimates :ire based on the present price of material and labour. As prices have been steadily rising, the above estimates mav vary at any time. The chairman said that in painting, maintenance and insurance the brick building would save more than the difference in cost.

It was decided that a definite policy for all the ridings be decided on at the next financial meeting.

Proposed Drainage Paerata Creek. An engineering survey has been made of the Paerata creek as far ur. as possible. Owing to the quantity of water on the land it has been difficult to obtain sufficient data w» eive an estimate of the cost for draining the whole area. The survey, however, as shown on the accompanying drawing, starts at a point 12 chains below the main road bridge nn»l terminates at the borough boundary (crossing of Mair Trunk railway), the distance Delm>

9J 1 ;; chains. The drawing' shows thf surface of the ground along the pre sent cieek (the survey being pegged along and as near to the creek as possible), and the line of the present creek bottom and proposed new grade of drain. The fall obtainable on a new grade for the full distance of 9V» cbrons is R.2ft. As the drawing shows the present levels u eithei end are practically the same as the proposed new grade, and at intermediate points the difference of level between bottom of present drain rrd the proposed new grade is as much as 4ft. This, of course, prevents an even flow ot water, and causes the land to be flooded towards the upper end. For a distance up the proposed cut of about 30 chains a considerable amount of hard rock will be met with, which will add to the cost of the proposed work. After careful consideration I have estimated the cost of constructing a 12ft drain at UOSO. Should more rock be met with than anticipated, the work will necessarily cost more. I am, however, of the opinion :hat the above estimate is sufficient to carry out the work. Complaint Re Outfall Drain.

At a previous meeting a letter was received from James Flavell relative to damage being done to his property by water from road at Waipipi. This matter was left for me to report. I have now to state that the drain in question was inspected by Cr. Motien and myself, and it was considered that very little damage, if any, was being done to Mr. Flavell's' property by the water from drain. » Immediately at the entrance to the property the water has cut away a portion "of a high bank, but in my opinion is causing no inconvenience to Mr. Flavell. The property through which the water flows is covered with noxious weeds and no damage is being done.

Land Acquired For Road Purposes. During the month Mr. Smith, of New Brighton, signed plan and accepted compensation for a piece of land required for road purposes on the New Rrighton-Kaiawa Coast Rd. Timber for three bridges on this road has now been ordered, comprising one 20ft span and two 12ft Bpan bridges, and also for a 44ft bridge at New Brighton of two spans of 22ft each. This bridge will give ac cess to the proposed wharf and also enable the Coast Road to be used

New Bridge at Otaua. [ Arrangements are being made for the erection of a new bridge to replace the two present ones at the junction of roads, Otaua. The ma-teriajf-for the new structure is now ordefeJK and will be put into position on arrival Contracts Advertised. Tenders are invited, returnable on 'jSfetiirdny, the 7th inst., for 28 eontlltcts as per attached list. 1 would suggest that the riding members interested in the different contract, be authorised to confer with myself j and accept suitable tenders received. (Continued.)