COUNTY WORKS.

Franklin Times, Volume 14, Issue 18, 12 February 1926, Page 2

COUNTY WORKS.

ENGINEER'S REPORT.

THE MONTH'S ACTIVITIES

At the meeting of the Franklin County Council yesterday, the engineer (Mr J. F. McArthur) presented the following report:— Proposed new road, Awhitu to Orua Bay.—At a previous meeting of the council instructions were received by me to report on a new proposed road to connect Awhitu Central and Orua i Bay, via W. Dickey's. It starts at ; what is known as Graham's beach to ' Palmer's Road, and terminates' at the ' lower end of Awhitu Gulley, or by an alternative' route to Orua Bay, via Millett's. The total approximate distance is upwards of 2* miles. The country through which this line of road would traverse is exceptionally rough and broken, and would necessitate a heavy expenditure. I have,

however, made an approximate estimate for constructing a road 12- feet in width and necessary clearing of bush, etc. Fencing and compensation is not included. The grades as far'as ascertained would not be steeper than lin 10. Tffe 4 rough estimate of cost is £2,200. ' Proposed new road, Orua Bay to Manukau Heads.—A petition from 21 settlers was read on September 10, 1925, in connection with acquiring and constructing a new road to .join up Awhitu Gulley with the Awhitu to Manukau Heads Road. An inspection has been made of this and from information gathered, a road could be made to grades of 1 in 9 to 1 in 12. I At an early date an engineering survey

I will be made of this road and details in connection with same furnihed to j the council. j Road at Awhitu. Proposed subdivision road, Awhitu. Mr C. N. Hamilton waited on the council at a meeting held on NovemJ ber 12, 1925, relative to a road in I connection with tffc subdivision of his ' property, and asked that this be defined to suit the council's requirements. During the month this lias been done, the grades obtained being for thcifreatcr part 1 in 13 and easier, but at the eastern end of road, or near ! its intersection with the Waiuku-Aw-hitu Road, the grade becomes as steep as lin 81. Although this grade seems excessive it is as good as can be obtained without incurring a. large expenditure. I have intimated to Mr C. N. Hamilton that the council will be prepared to accept dedication on the line as defined. When the necessary construction is completed or a sum equivalent to the estimated cost. Proposed bridge, Tram Gulley Creek, Awhitu. —Some time ago an estimate was made of the cost to construct a bridge over the above stream to give access to properly on the northern

| side. As the site available on dedij cated road necessitated a pile bridge j with.under struts at excessive cost, the j work was not carried out, After fur- ! ther investigations, however, it has been found possible to obtain a site some two chains further up stream, which will enable a bridge to be erected at an approximate estimate of £l3O. j Mr W N. Golbeek has offered to eon- | trjbuate £6O towards this. I would ! recommend the acceptance of this ofI for, and the erection of the bridge on I the new site. I Contracts let and in progress. —Tenders were invited returnable on .lanuary 30 for three contracts, viz.: No. 654. for the supply and delivery of 098} c.y. of creek gravel on to the Paeroa-Pokeno Main Highway (Kohevoa deviation). Stembridge and Bagu-

Icy. Gs Gel 0.y., £226 18s Gd; Alex. McLean, 6s 9cl 0.y., £235 13s 2d. No. f>ss, for taking delivery and carting 770 c.y. of crushed metal from Waiuku railway station to Smith's Road, Waiuku, 15. G. Ward, is 7d c.y., £l7O 9s 2d; Peter Parry. 5s Od c.y.. £2ll 15s. No. 650, for taking delivery and carting 060 c.y. of crushed metal from Buckland railway station to Yates' Road, Buckland, A. Mcßobbic. 4s 3d ov £l4O ss; J. W, Bilkey and R. H. Calhcart, 4s lOd .c.y.. £159 10s. The lowest tender in each instance has been accepted

Final Payments

Final payments-.—Final payments for completed contracts appear In the list of accounts presented for payment at to-day's meeting as follows: No. G 36, for the supply and delivery of 300 c.y. stone at Makctu, Rama Rama, Messrs H. Price arid H. Proctor. No. G 35, for the supply and delivery of 150 c.y. stone at Palumahoe, Messrs Henry McShane and Wilson. The progress of contracts generally has been retarded lately owing to the wet weather experienced, but are now well under way, and should be completed well before the end of the present season.

Government grants and subsidies. — Authorities have been received for the expenditure of Government subsidies in connection with work on the following roads: Patumahoe railway station to Hunter's road, £3OO, £1 for £1; Allsop's Bay to Manukau Heads, £625, £1 for £1; Clark's Road, Karalca, £450, £1 for £1; Yates' Road, Buckland, £336, £1 for £2. Proposals previously submitted for approval have been returned approved during the month, viz.: Clark's Road, Karaka, for con-

structing and metalling 67( chains, of road, estimated cost £1103; Yates' Road, Buckland, for constructing 25A chains of road, erection of 20 feet span bridge with pile piers, etc., and metalling 55 chains, total estimated cost £IOOB 7s; Allsop's Bay to Manukau Heads, for forming 121 chains of road, estimated to cost £833 14s 6d. Claims for payment.—The following claims for payment have been made in detail and forwarded to the Public Works Department for works carried out under the expenditure of Government grants and subsidies. The cost of the work is mentioned first, then the amount of the claim in parentheses: Mangalangi-Kaiaua Road, cost of work £4Bl Os Sd, (claim £240 10s 4d) ; Otaua Milbanks to Mountain Road, £39 17s 3d, (£l9 18s 7cl) ; Pollok Post Office to Wharf. £lO9. lis (£SO) ; Moumoukai Valley Road, south end, £l9B 10s (£l9B 10s); Pukcoware railway station access road, £393 (£46 10s), balance: Maungatawhiri Parish Access Road. £IOO (£100) ; Karaka to Waiau via C.lasson's. £783 15s (£3Bl 17s 6d) ; Goodwin Road, Aka Aka, £526 10s (£142 3s 4d) : Clark's Road, Karaka, £969 9s 6d (£450); Yates' Road, Buckland. £.354.1is lid (£177 5s lid): Mangatangi-Miranda Road, £635 15s id (£238); Hood Road, Otaua, £l2-2 13s lOd (£50): Jericho Road, Buckland, £1364 12s 9d (£200).

Strike damage, repairs Drury-Puke-kolie Road. Pukekohe-Tuakau Road via Buckland and Pukekohe-Waiuku Road, total cost £2Oll 17s Od. claim £450. Works Generally. The above figures do not in all cases include the total cost of finished works', but are value to date, some of five claims being for progress payments or balance of subsidies. Other cosis and claims are being prepared, and will be put in to the Department during the coming week. Every effort is being made to recover the expended balance of authorities held before March 31 next.

Orua Ray to Awhitu Gulley.—An agreement has now been signed by Mr A. H. Johannson handing over' to the council for road purposes 6 acres 4 porches of land situated in section 101, parish of Awhitu. The land plan in connection with this road has been sent to the Lands Department for examination. On its return the dedication of the portion referred to can be finally dealt with.

Works generally.—With the exception of some .delays caused through wet weather works generally are progressing in a satisfactory manner, and in most cases are well advanced. Practically tiie whole of the county plant is now cnp;ay;t'<\ on works under the expenditure of loan money and Government, subsidies. All men where possible have been joined up with" the plants, so thai very little expenditure should come to charge on the general revenue during.the balance of the present financial year.

II was decided to leave the question nf the proposed new road from Awhitu to Orua Bay, fo the riding member. Cr Hamilton, and the Ratepayers' Association, The proposed road subdivision at Awhitu was approved. In regard to the proposed bridge ovci' Tram Gully Creek. Awhitu, the matter was left to Cr Hamilton ' and the engineer, Mr McArthur.

The engineer's action in regard to contracts was approved.

II was decided to affix the council's seal to the agreement between the council mul Mr A. 11. Johannson.