COUNTY COUNCIL.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4347, 6 December 1882, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

The following reports were read at the annual meeting to day.

subvetob's eepobt.

To the Board of Works, Thames County Council.—Gentlemen,—l have the honov to submit the following report on roads, and works in Thames Couuty :~HastinKS Riding : The Hastings and Mercury Bay Road has been thoroughly cleared of slips, and is now open for traffic to the settlements furthest up the creek. A small amount of work has been done on the road between Tapu and Waikawau. The road from Thames to Tapu is in fair order for dray traffic to Waiomo, and the remainder is open for horse and passenger traffic. The road from Upper Waiotahi to the settlements at the head of the Puru Creek has been put in fair condition. — Waiotahi Riding : Men have been engaged during the month in spreading metal on Waiotahi road, and it is now in very good condition for summer traffic. — Kauaeraniia Hiding: A little has been done during the month on tbe Karaka and other roßds in Block 27. ♦ The largest portion of the work done has been on the Hape Creek road, and very little more will fender it fit for dray traffic. Otunui Road: On the Otunui road men have been employed in falling timber from the sut^ny side of the road, and corduroying any soft portions. This road is in excellent order, and affords easy access to the Otunui. The two contracts on Otunui are well advanced, and both will be completed within the specified time—Parawai Riding: The slip that damaged Mr Read's fence has been removed, and such steps have been taken to secure the ground that no further slip need be anticipated. A little has been done on the other roads of this riding. Work has also been done on the Kauaeranga Valley road, and. a considerable portion is now in good condition for summer traffic.—Totara Riding : To keep the Ohinemuri main road open for traffic a portion near tbe Puriri Springs had to be fascined, as jtji was endangering the large coach traffic. This road is in good condition, except in a . few places where the fascines are insufficiently covered.—Ohinemuri Riding: The Kat»kati road is in very good condition, and will keep so during the remainder of the summer. Men have been employed during the month in levelling and im proving it.—On the Waihi road a culvert is required, but it is otherwice in good condition.—One man has been kept on the Te Aroha road repairing and improving it.—Tbe outfall and road drains on the Puke Paeroa road should be, cleared out at an early date.—As in many instances the sums authorised have been exceeded, there is at the present time only one man employed in each riding, except Tolara, where there is none.—Alex. Aitken, County Engineer.

Referred from last meeting for report: —Public pound atPuru : I do not see any necessity for a pound in the Hastings Riding.—Mr Hicks' application for water: There is at present no water available for power beyond what is now beiog supplied. Water for tables might be supplied on usual terms. —Koari to Waitekauribattery: Would recommend tbe improvement of the present road. The road pointed out by Mr Corbett cuts through some of the agri cultural sections, and the occupiers do not consent. A better track by the short route over the hill would be of great advantage to .Waitekauri. —Ales. Aitken, County Surveyor.

Estimated cost of proposed works on Main Roads in County of Thames:— Grahanwtown to Ohinemuri— Bridge across Komata stream £350 0 0 Draining, cutting, filling, and forming 50 chainß at Soda Spring, Puriri— 30 chains at £10 10s, 20 chains at £5 ... .. 415 0 0 Metalling 19J mile 3, 10 feet wide, 6 inches thick at £6 per chain ... 9360 0 0 Re-formatir>n for metal and clearing drains at 12a 6d per chain 975 0 0 £11,100 * 0 0 Ohinemuri towards Te Aroba— Metalling 13 miles 10 feet wide and 6 inches thick at £6 4s per chain £6552 0 0 Be-formation for metal and clearing drains at 17t 6d per chain ... 910 0 0 £7,642 0 0 Tuirua Harbor to Thames Road at Puriri— Cutting and forming road 12 feet wide (without metal), 20 miles, at £4 per chain £640 ) 0 0 Coromandel toward Thames— Widening 10 miles to 12 fceb, at £6 per chain (with. out metal) ... ... £4800 0 0 Widening 6 miles to 12 feet, at £2 per chain (without metal) ... ... 9fiO 0 0 £5760 0 0 Alex. Aitkhn, County Surveyor.

Report of the Committee appointed to consider the question of Roads and Bridges, under the "Roads and Bridges Construction Aci. 1882/' Tour Committee, after carefully considering this important matter, have the honor to report as follows. The undermentioned roads are selected for reformation and metalling, the cost haying been estimated by your Surveyor iv >,the schedule attached:— " ' ;" Grahamsfconra to Ohinamuri ... £11,100 Ohinemnri towards Te Aroha ... 7,462 Tairua Harbor to Thamea Boad, Puriii ... ... ... ... 6,401 Coromandel towards Thames ... 5,760 Ohinemuri towards Katikati, £14,960—1e5s Government Vote, £4,000 ... ... ... ... 10,960 £41,682 And your Committee recommend the County rate should be set apart for the above purpose.—&lexandeb Bbodie, Chairman of Committee. ■