WAITEMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 49, 27 February 1926, Page 16

WAITEMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the council was opened yesterday, the chairman, Mr. F. (iGrigg, presiding. Engineer's Report.—The engineer's report regretted that more money was not available for maintenance work in the Kunieu, W'aitakero and Waipareira ridings, as in all three riding., urgent maintenance work could not be undertaken for luck of funds, — The matter was deferred for consideration.

It was reported that the tender of Mr. J. Morris at £139 had been .accepted for formation of South Head Road. Helensville. That Mt. Atkinson Drive metalling had been completed, and the Tltirangi Exhibition Drive metalling would be completed ■within a few days. That the melaUing of Christian's Road, Swanson, was being proceeded with, Mr. Gilberd undertaking the carting at a contract price of 5/3 per cubic yard. The Waitakere West Coast Road metalling would be completed in a fortnight's -time, and the formation of the Kumnu Station Access Road, Taiapa and Muriwai Valley Roads formation were well in hahrl.

Subdivisions.—Plans and specifications were submitted for approval as follows: E. B. Brown, construction of three roads at Kelston Estate, New Lynn. Specifications of new roads in Laingholm Kstate, Titirangi.

Oakley Quarry.—The output for the quarry for January was stated at 640.\ yards, of which 44G yards went to Silverdale and Arkle's Bay, the cost of production of the metal being S/S per cubic yard. Henderson Concrete Road.—The engineer reported that the contractor had made good showing on the preparation work for concrete road foundation, and there was every prospect of the concrete road being open for the bad winter months. Although the provisions of the contract were that the road would be kept open for traffic during the period of construction, the enginer thought that it v.'ould be as well to pass a resolution closing the road from March 1 next until completion of the concrete construction. The council therefore resolved that that portion of the Auckland to Helensville Main Highway that is situated between the boundaries of the Glen Eden and Henderson Town districts, he closed to all vehicular traffic from March 1, 1926, until completion of the construction of ths road in concrete.

Water Supply for Kelston Estate.—The engineer reported that certain legal difficulties had cropped up regarding the extension of the main to Kelston. and it would be necessary to obtain validating legislation before proceeding with the work. Te Atatu Bridge.—The engineer reported that as the result of a conforeuce between the promoters of the proposed Te Atatu Bridge scheme, the following details had been decided upon :—(1) That the design of bridge to be submitted be a through girder span bridge twelve feet in width on reinforced concrete piers with rolled steel joists and MA.H superstructure. (2) That the Avondale Borough Council be citod as a contributing authority to the extent of 10 per cent of the total cost of erection and future maintenance of the bridge and approaches. (3) That the proposed bridge Khali show a clearance of ten feet at 11.W.R.T. (-1) That the care and control of the bridge be vested in the Waitemata County Council.

Unoccupied Crown Lands.—The engineer reported that there was a piece of land comprising eight acres fronting Withers Rnnd. about a milr> from the Glen Eden railway station, which belongs to the Crown, but had boon gazetted an a quarry reserve. There was not a bit of stone or gravel on the land, or any other material suitable for road making purposes, but it was a splendid noxious weed nursery, and was a menace to the district. The land was practically level with a long road frontage. and very suitable for the erection of workers' homes. He recommended that the Lands Department he approached to have the reservation removed, and the land thrown open for selection in order that it might be brought into profitable occupation.