EKETAHUNA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 April 1940, Page 7

EKETAHUNA

COUNTY ROADS ENGINEER'S REPORT. (“Times-Age" Special.) The Engineer. Mr W. C. Duffill, re ported inter alia on the work lor March at the monthly meeting of the Eketahuna County Council as iollows: Napiers’ East Bridge: During the month this work has progressed satisfactorily. The approach fillings to the bridge were completed and the ole. truss bridge dismantled. A single coal of base course metal has been placed over the deviation to permit of the use of same by traffic and at date the balance of the metalling is in hand. Following this, a short length of fencing together with the cleaning up ol the site and some odd small jobs arcall that remain to complete the contract. A start has been made with the approach works over Morriss s and the Factory Culverts and as soon at the Auto Patrol is available, these will be graded ready for metalling. The Contractor is maintaining good progress on this contract. The sealing ol the Alfredton Township area was completed during the period and opportunity was taken to seal a short section of the Alfredton -Tinui Road at its junction with the Highway. No 63 Main Highway —Summit Spillway: A start ha: been made with the excavation work for a concrete retaining wall at this point and at date this is well advanced. As soon as reliable foundation data i;to hand, the erection of the wall will be put in hand. Waitawhiti Bridge: Survey work was completed and the preliminary plans for the bridge ano approaches forwarded to Wellington for approval. It is proposed to erect a reinforced concrete structure at thi: point, having a width between curb: of 12ft, which is considered sufficient for present and future traffic otV the road. East Riding: Mangaone Central West —The weak sections of the road from Brittain’s to the main road was heavily patched with crushed metal from, the Blue Pit. Perry's Road—Thi: road was also patched with crushed metal. Hamua-Rongomai—Some crushed metal patching was also done on this road. General manual maintenance was carried out on the Hamua-Rongo-mai. Mangaone C.W.. Mangaoronga and Bowen Roads. Patching work with metal from the Mangaoronga Pit was done on the Old Coach and Mangaorenga roads. West Riding: HamuaHukanui—The road was graded throughout. The stabilised sections of this road are showing encouraging results as to wear, and it is hoped to continue this work on three othei roads, namely the Pukahoi, Mangraupui and Nireaha-Atea. Kopikopiko—• This road was in bad shape and was graded from end to end. Mangatainoka Valley Road—Heavy grading was carried out on the gorge section. A certain amount of heavy carting has been going on at night on this road and steps have been taken to have it detected and stopped. This road will need a fair quantity of metal before long and it is hoped to do as. much as practicable in the near future. Patching work with crushed metal was done on the Mangatainoka Valley. Parkville Central. Priest's and North roads. A small timber bridge on the NireahaHukanui Road was repaired. Grading work also was done on the Sawmill, Kakariki, North, Nireaha-Hukanui. Nireaha-Atea, Hare’s and Upper Parkville Central roads. Alfredton Riding: Castle Hill Road—Extensive metalling of the weak sections was carried out during this period, some 575 cubic yards being placed from the Te Hoe Stream. When the new work settles down a good surface should result. A dangerous corner near the Ngaratu Junction was cut back and the road reshaped at this point. The road has been graded throughout. Waihoki Road was graded and reshaped. A section of approximately half a mile was given a coat of metal from the Tiraumea Crusher. Puketoi Road—A new culvert was placed on the hill section.

LABOUR PARTY EKETAHUNA BRANCH MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Eketahuna branch of the New Zealand Labour Party was held in the Odd Fellows’ Hall on Saturday night, the president. Mr G. A. Hansen, presiding over an excellent attendance of members. Prior to the commencement of business members stood in silence out ol respect to the memory of the late Mr M. J. Savage. Accounts amounting to £9 13s were passed for payment. Four nominations for membership were received. A motion congratulating the Hon P. Fraser on his election to the Premiership was passed. The branch pledged its loyalty to Mr Fraser and his Government. It was decided to hold a card tournament at the conclusion of the next monthly meeting. Mr Hansen submitted a report of the proceedings al the Easter Conference of the N.Z. Labour Party. He also described the late Prime Minister’s funeral ceremonies at Wellington. Mr Hansen was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his able report. The speaker for the evening was Mr H. Dearie, who recently returned from a visit to England. In a very interesting address Mr Dearie touched on many topics and said the workers of England were much better placed now than was the case when he left England some 40 odd years ago. He also described war-time London, and his experiences during the "black-outs” and false air raid alarms. Mr Dearie was accorded a vote of thanks for his instructive talk.

Supper was served at the conclusion of the meeting.

BOWLING SINGLES COMPETITION. A singles competition was held yesterday by a number of local bowlers, and after many hard-fought games the semi-finalists were Messrs W. Hornblow. W. Simpson and D. Fraser. The latter drew the bye. Hornblow disposed of Simpson and was also successful in his game with Fraser in the final. The winner of the trophy was in good form all day and thoroughly deserved the congratulations extended him by his club mates.