HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Shannon News, 17 February 1925, Page 3

HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

MAIN HI.GHiW.AYS PaOiPOiSALS. At Saturday's meeting qf the liorowhenua county Council, the Engineer (Mr W. j\l. Andei-aon) reported us follows regarding the County s Main Jtiiguways proposals;— Until the survey is completed it is innpossihie tQ sumuit to you a detailed report on the work (as a whole) to be carried out in connection with the Horownenua Mam Highways fccneme but T Chink the tune has now arrived when the Council should consider the advisatoiiity of proceeding with the first year's, work. In three months' time the sur.vey will be far enough advanced so that plans and specifications of certain sections can ne submitted to the Highways Board for approval. Since -last meeting I 'have gone carefully into the matter as regards work and. machinery and. would advise that the first works to be considered are the sections between Waikanae and Te Horo and from Shannon to Makerua station. In thes.e two sections I do not. suggest that they be completed during this year bnt that the formation work be put in hand at the earliest date. As you are aware, in both these sections the ro.ad is harrow and runs, through swampy country and will require a large amount oi filling and a considerable time ,for consolidation. The other formation works I would recommend are the sections from Otaki Railway crossing to Manakau Bridge and from the northern boundary of the Wirokino Riding to Shannon Borough. In both thes.e sections there are some heavy fillings. As regards paving, there are several long stretches which require no widening and could be put in hand in .the spring, whenever the weather is suitable, and completed in the first year. The sections referred to are Manakau Bridge to Waikawa Bridge, Waikawa Bridge to Kimberley Road and from Levin Borough Boundary (east) to Heatherlea East road intersection. Attached hereto is a statement of the estimated financial requirements for the year ending 31st March, 1926. Re Machinery.—l would recommend that arrangements be made ,as early as possible so that the whole of the machinery could be purchased, erected' and in working' order by the beginning of September, 1&25. My reasons lor this is that a considerable quantity of the cnacihinery such as rollers and crusher's will have to be imported. As -far as the lorries, etc., are concerned they can be obtained in the -Dominion, but will be required whenever the formation work is started. Another proposal I would like to put toelore you tor consideration is the advisability of having experienced men for the .hi'tuiinen work .wihen paving is commenced. As the. Council has at present in their employ a number ol permanent men who are steady and reliable I would suggest that two Of these men be sent to work for a time in a County where bitumen penetration work is being carried out. These men could then be used as foremen of bitumen gangs and knowing the district and local conditions would be preferable to toringing in outsiders. In regard to the purchase of machinery, I understand t)hat in various counties and boroughs in the JNortn island up to date crushing and bitumen plants can be seen at work. 1 would therefore advise that an inspection of these plants toe made before finally deciding on what plant is to be purchased for the county. The following estimate of finance required for. the first twelve montns was submitted: —

Plant and machinery, £12,000. Earthwork and paving, etc. — Te Horo Riding £5500 Otaki Riding £9600 Wirokino Riding ... £17,000 Tokomaru Riding ...... £4OOO £36,00Q Less half share Main Highways, Board, £IB,OOO. Total, £BO,OOO. The report was adopted, it being decided that a Finance Cpmanlttee consisting of the chairman with Crs. Whyte, Broadbelt, and Harkness, be set up.