WET WEATHER HAS CAUSED SCOURING ON WAIMANA ROAD

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 87, 25 August 1950, Page 4

WET WEATHER HAS CAUSED SCOURING ON WAIMANA ROAD

The recent wet weather and consequent rise in the level of the Waimana River caused scouring at one section of Lowe’s Road, stated the engineer, Mr C. H. Brebner, in his report presented to the monthly meeting of the Whakatane County Council. The road was closed for some days until the river level dropped. Widening has been carried out and the original road width restored. It would be advisable to construct a cut about 12 chains long on the left bank of the river in this locality. Recent freshes in the river have removed a bank of gravel and now make a cut feasible with a reasonable chance of permanency. v The Matata township roads been repaired and improved.

The Ruatahuna Road contract was inspected in company with Public Works Engineers and the Assistant Engineer. The formation work was generally satisfactory but the installation of some of the culverts was hardly up to standard. After a full 'discussion it was decided to pass the contract. Hardwood Stocks Orders have been placed for some 25,000 super feet of hardwood timber from Australia to build up the Council’s stocks against an emergency. The cost will be approximately £1,500.» i The writer expects to visit Min-

ginui during the present week to go over the proposed new road line with the millers and a prospective contractor. The millers are of the opinion that the road could be constructed more cheaply and quickly by carrying it out mainly by day labour. Contractors are available in that locality who have heavy machinery at their disposal. In any case a survey will be required although possibly not in quite so much detail as would otherwise be required. The writer, expects to spend at' least one week in Minginui carrying out the survey. The Main Highways Board are carrying out a traffic tally throughout New Zealand and have requested this Council to man one of the stations. The Board will reimburse the Council for any cost incurred and will find all stores including tent etc. The tally will be over a period of one week from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. daily and Council’s station will be situated on the Te TekoGalatea Road.

The Ministry of Works have written enquiring when the following proposals can be prepared:—> Wainui Road, Biddle’s Access, Matata Scheme and Warbrick’s Access.

The Maori Affairs Department will find the cost of the work together with engineering services costs. The writer in comapny with the Chief Engineer to the Maori Affairs Department flagged out the Matata Scheme and War brick’s Access to enable the roadlines to be approved by the Maori Land Court which will be sitting next • week. The surveys will have to take their turn with other projected work. The writer inspected the last contract on the Matata-Rotoma highway. Further work will have to be carried out before it can be passed. The contractor has been notified and he has agreed to proceed with the work in the immediate future. Bridge Site

Plans have been forwarded to the Main Highways Board setting out the proposed subdivision of lands which will have a bearing on the proposed traffic bridge over the Whakatane River. A series of conferences were held with representatives of the Borough Council and complete agreement was reached in regard to the future roading in this area. Valuable assistance was rendered to the committee by Mr C. G. Lucas (county clerk) in drawing up the proposals. The work of building additions to the Council’s Strand house is well in hand and should be "completed in a few days’ time with the exception of the room which is to be placed at the front of the building. The apartment for the typisteclerk , should be ready for occupation next week. The work has been carried out well and expeditiously. An old culvert was located pnder the road opposite Rigden’s holding paddock. The writer attended two local demonstrations given by the Ford Motor Company of their new Ford- • son High-loader. The machine performed well and carried out the work required of it in a creditable manner. A machine of this type should be suitable for pulling a planer in the Galatea area and performing gravel loading etc.