FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 596, 4 January 1921, Page 2

FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL.

ENGINEER'S REPORT. At Wednesday's meeting of the Franklin County Council, the engineer, Mr. J. F. McArthur, reported as follows: Kirikiri Quary, Papakura: An application was received from the Papakura Town Board asking for permission to take stone from the above quarry. I would recommend thai permission be granted, subject to tho quarry being worked to the council's satisfaction, and also that the counci! be supplied with metal for local requirements at the actual cost. Bombay Post Office: Cr. Lowry and myself made an inspection of the ap-» proach to this o/tice, and consider that an improvement should be made. The building is built considerably higher than the level of road, with a

steep slope between building and uetal road. On the corner this slope is dangerous, and should be cut back from road., The slope between the building and footpath is also unreasonably steep. I would suggest that the Department be asked to consider the question of providing for the recessary alteration.

Whangarata to Pokeno Proposed Road: I am in receipt of a letter and pian from the District Engineer of Railways in connexion with land required for road purposes. The condition as set forth in the latter:' No. 1: The council to pay the cost of shifting the cottage, and purchase of i.ew site for same: As shown on the accompanying drawing, it is proposed to close a small piece of unused road on the western side of the present road immediately over the overbead bridge, and make use of same for a new site for the cottage. No. 2: The council to arrange with Mr. Coad for the surrender of his righti cf-way between the small overhead bridge and point marked 37 miles 65 chains. It would be necessary to take the land included in this right-of-way for road purposes. There should, however, be no didiculty in arranging this, as the proposed new road as shown would replace this by giving better access to Mr. Goad's section. No. 3: That if the land offered to the council as marked on the drawing A —1 acre 2 roods; B, 2 roods 30 perches; and C, 2 roods—is ever required for railway purposes, it may be retaken by the R.r'hvay Department without payment, of compensation. Owing to the position of the 'different pieces of land offered in relation with the existing railway line, 1 am of the opinion that there is very little chance of them ever being required for railway purposes in the future. I would recommend the acceptance of the land as offered, and also that the necessary steps be taken to legalise the road from its

junction \vith_ the present road at Whangarata, and the end of the old railway line at Mr. Munro's property. The question of route for a further . portion of the proposed road could then be decided later.—To be given effect to. Contracts advertised: Contracts are advertised, being returnable at noon to-day, for the following works: Contract No. 476: For quarrying, spawling, carting and stacking 2000 cubic yards of .stone at council's quarry, Paerata. Contract No. 477: For quarrying, spawling, winding, and stacking 1000 cubic yafcls stone at council's quarry, Karaka. Contract No. 478; For quarrying and spawling 1000 cubic yards of stone at Coughlir.'s quarry, Puni. Contracts are also .advertised, iu'iti-.'rs - <? 29th of January, 1921, viz.:—Contract No. 479: For the supply and erection of a bridge over the* Mang-i':angi stream of one truss span of 64ftT on concrete piers pi" two pljwi spans of 20ft., the total length—of bridge being 104 ft. Contract No. 480: For the I supply and erection of a 20ft. span bridge and construction of-approach-es, t Hamilton Road, Buckland. I would suggest that the usual course b- ; adopted, that is, the riding members interested and myself, consider tenders received, and accept or reject same, as the case may be.: Con tracts previously advertised and tenders received:—Contracts were advertised, tenders returnable on the 24th of November, as follow: Contract No. 341: For forming 17 chains of Patu.niahoe to railway station, and removing and replacing metal; no tenders received. Contract No. 415: For forming and culverting and metalling 15 chains of Taurangaruru to Waipipi main road; tender received from R. Holmes; contract price. 5470; accepted. Contract No. 413: For the supply and delivery of 250 cubic yards of spawls at Comrie's Hill, Pukekohe East to Drury road; no tenders received. Contract No. 461: For gravelling 160 chains of Mangatanyi to Kaiawa road; no tenders received. Contract No. 463: For gravelling 160 chains of Mangatangi-Miranda Road; no tenders received. Contract No, | i? 3: For forming and culverting 137 : chains 70 links of the Helvetia Road, Helvetia Estate; tender received from A. J. Moore; contract priee, £603 10s; not accepted. Contract No 475: For forming and culverting 137 chains of Ostrich Road, Helvetia Estate; tenders received from Mr J. Aitchison K986 Ss, T. M. Short £921, 18s 6d; ac- * cepted. Mangaiangi Stream Bridge: In connexion with the citation of the Waikato County Council, I met the chairman of that council and one of the members at the site of the bridge on the 7th inst., when the proposal was gone into fully. The representatives Oi the Waikato County Council agreed to contribute half cost of the bridge as claimed.—The clerk reported having authorised the county solicitor to prepare an agreement, and his action was endorsed.

Teams Plants: The No. 1 county teams plant is at present engaged forming the Paerata-Tuhimata Road. The No. 2 plant is forming roads in the Hunua district under loan expenditure ready for metalling-. Crushing and Hauling Plants: The No. 1 plan is crushing metal at the Paerata quarry, the metal being conveyed direct to the Pukekohe-Paerata [load with the two Thorneycroft trucks. Good progress is being "made. The No. 2 plant is at present engaged reconstructing the metal ioad on Mercer Hill, Great South Road. The report was adopted.