MAIN HIGHWAYS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 223, 20 June 1925, Page 4

MAIN HIGHWAYS

< WORK OF PAST MONTH HINDERED BY BAD WEATHER Tlie monthly meeting of the Main Highways Board concluded yesterday. Mr. F. W. Furkert presided. Several applications were considered by the board for additional roads to be declared main highways, but in view of liabilities already entered into, particularly in regard to construction works, only in one or two exceptional cases were the applications approved. Mr. A. E. .lull, counties’ representative' on the board, who has just returned to New Zealand after a tour of America and England, submitted a report on highway matters abroad. Mr. Jull’s report was regarded as of particular interest, as it goes into detail of the financial side of highway construction and maintenance, whereas other reports submitted to the board have dealt with this matter . mainly from an engineering point of view. Monthly reports received indicated that throughout almost the whole country work had been seriously affected by bad weather. In one or two districts, particularly No. 7, a considerable amount of' flood damage had been done. In a number of localities, particularly the far north and the Gisborne district, operations on metalling work had ceas-e-1 entirely until next summer. The following statement shows the more important works which have been carried out during the month: — Woodville-Palmerston. North.—Government road section. The road has been widened to 30ft for a distance of 13 chains. The second course of metal has been laid for 20 chains. Napier-Wellington, via Wairarapa.— Between Pnkehon and Pakipaki 1 mile of widening is in hand. A start has been made with the construction of the Tamaki bridge. Auckland-Wellington, via Taranaki.— A considerable number of slips occurred on the Awakino Vallej’ section of the Mokau-Te Kuiti roid. Thirty chains of metal have been laid on the AwakinoMokau section. On the Mangatuna Junction to Mokau section 25 J chains of metalling have been completed. Buildings required for the construction of the Mokau River bridge are well in hand.

Lepperton Junction-Hawera, via Opunake.—Between Oaanui River and Arawhata road a bituminous macadam course has ■ been completed. . Between Oaoiti River and the Oaonui River 9 chains of water-bound macadam road have been sealed with bitumen. Ohtira Road.—On the Whangamomona Saddle 13 chains of re-grading have been completed. About 300 cubic yards of stone have been dumped ready for metalling the saddle next summer. Auckland-Wellington, via Taranaki.— Bituminous penetration work on. the Patea Hill has been completed. Twentytwo chains of renietalling have been carried out on the Waitotara Comity section. The abutments to the Wiritoa stream bridge in the Wanganui County, have been completed, and good progress is being made with the remainder of the work. Erection of a new reinforced concrete bridge over the Tutaenui stream at Bulls is well under way. The work is expected to be completed in June. Painting and repairing of the Rangitikei River bridge at Bulls are well in hand. Bulls-Tauniarumii.—2s chains of new metalling have been completed between Rangataua and Karioi. Rangitatau East and Watershed Roads.—ls chains metalling have been completed between Junction Road and the Kai-Iwi stream.

Wanganui-Horopito.—lo chains widening and 10 chains metalling have been completed during the month. Wellington-Auckland via Taranaki.— Paremata to Porirua section. Regrading is in progress over 1| miles of thi? section; 11 culverts have been constructed.

Himitangi-Sanson via Palmerston North.—97 chains of tar-sealing work in the Kairanga County have been completed. Masterton-Weber via Alfredton.—The length of highway from' Barton Road to Mauriceville County boundary has been completely metalled. Featherston-Martinborough.—l3 chains of tar sealing were completed during the month. A commencement was made with the construction of Jenkins’s culvert. A concrete culvert near KaiwaiWai school has also been constructed, and protection work carried out at the lower Tauherenikati bridge.