MAKARA COUNTY

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 36, 11 August 1923, Page 23

MAKARA COUNTY

STATE OF THE ROADS

REPORT PRESENTED TO THE

COUNCIL.

The Makara County Council held its monthly meeting yesterday, those present being: Councillors E. Windley (chairman), In C. Bryant, L. D. Nairn, S. S. Styles, D. Prosser, H. J. Monaghan, S. Bowler, and J. W. Bell.

"You can't leave a thing on the roadside," said the clerk (Mi-. W.L. Beech), When the report of the county's foreman regarding >-i part of the county was' being discussed. He instanced a case in which material had been deposited in some gorse at about 5 p.m. one day, with the result that next morning it was not to be found. There was also a. case in which a pile of fencing posts had diminished more quickly than to meet the requirements of the oV/nef in carrying out his fencing work. The question-of erecting bridges at South Makara was deferred pending a. further report.

It was decided to make and levy the following rates, on the biisis of the capital value of all rateable property in each riding of the county—ln the Porirua riding, a general rate (including hospital rate) of Id and 19-32ths of a penny in the pound; in the Makara. riding, a general rate (including hospital rate) of Id and 16-64ths of a benny in the pound. The levy operates from to-day. A comprehensive report on the state ot the roads in the county was made by the county clerk (Mr. W. L. Beech), who had traversed practically the whole of the roads since the last meeting. The Qhariu.road had been patched throughout nearly its whole length, but further attention was required iv various places. Bon Beeves Hill required a surfacing of fine metal from top to bottom. "Sooner or later these point will be the scene of an accident," the clerk stated, in i suggesting that where Clifford- road en--1 tered and returned to Ohariu road, the corners should be removed or lowered. Wakefteld road was in fait repair, except at -the big bend, but Russell's Folly Was almost impassable. The condition of the Johnsouvile - Tawa Flat road could only Be described as fair to 'bad. The roatj through the township was in fair order, and apparently holding up to the traffic! The Paremata road was in a pot-hole condition throughout its length; Lake Takapu road was in fair condition; Old Porirua road (School lane, Tawa), required some attention; and Station road required patching. The Porirua-Titahi road was pot-holed to some extent. The worst holes, were in the Takapuwahia township, and beyond. At that point the roads would be always difficult to maintain so long as water was allowed to accumulate in such quantity as at present existed. Paparangi road was in fair order and those in the vicinity of the Horo-kiwi-Newlands junction were, generally speaking, having regard to the weather experience, in fair condition. Wakefield Gully road was good, and the Ngahauranga Gorge road in parts was in better condition than it had been for some time past. . Below the junction ol the Newlands road with the/(Jorge road the stream was causing an erosion and weakening £i e road bank. From the Corporation quarry to the foot of the hill, excepting a short length, the road was a series of traffic waves. The metal, about 200 yds.. obtained under agreement from the City Corporation was not of .first-class quality. Complaint was made of the manner in which the Corporation steam wagons were using the road. In .other places improvements were necessary. The condition of the' roads in the Makara Riding was good. Mr. Beech made various suggestions as to procuring metal and putting come Qf the necessary work in hand. The chairman pointed out that the council's finances did not permit of extensive work, but he considered that the most necessary work should be undertaken as' far as possible.

Mr, Beech added to his statement that it appeared evident that the matter of securing supplies of metal would have 'to be seriously considered by the council. Samples of rock obtained from various points in the county; weree<iual to anything produced outside the county but unfortunately most of them were situated on roads other than the main road. A sample obtained from N^ahauranga Gorge, where there was an unlimited supply.; was declared to be equal to anything produced in the province for that class of metal.

- "The, matter of transport is the most urgent subject for consideration if the council should decide upon the opening of quarries to be operated by the council," Mr. Beech added.

The council agreed to carry but an amount of work that appeared to be most necessary.