COUNTY AFFAIRS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 232, 13 September 1934, Page 11

COUNTY AFFAIRS

PATANGATA ENGINEER’S REPORT WORK IN THE BIDINGS. From Our Own Correspondent. WAIPUKURAU, September 11. 1 In his report to the Patangata County Council to-day, the county engineer, Mr J. C. McLaughlan, stated:— Porangahau fftding.—The improvement work on main highways has progressed' steadily all the month, 1152 ebbic yards of crushed metal being de livered on this road for the month, the gfand total for the month of August from the crusher being 1458 cubic yards during 174 houi’s actual crushing, lhe power grader has done good work on this road during the mouth, in re- . shaping pile road where required, and •so far the past month’s work shows the pneumatic tyres are a success. The roller also was engaged in rolling the Pah hill after scarifying the same tor feshaping. The Public Works Department has approved the proposed work of repairs to saleyards bridge and i O'Leary and 1 gang have been engaged | lor the month in getting bluegum poles and in driving same as supports fbr the bridge during repairs. It was necessary to block traffic for two weeks while this work was in hand and the road is again open to-day, though two piles have yet to be driven. Timber for ■he renewal of the top and bottom chords and end struts- is on order from i Abstralia and should be here this I month. The traffic was diverted over the Old Hill road and it has been necessary to put a light coat of metal on the I’orangahau side of this hill and as soon as weather permits it is proposed to lightly metal the whole of this road, as the traffic will have to bo put over thia road when the truss work is in hand. It is anticipated that the Alain Highways Board will subsidise the maintaining of this detour road. The contractors have made fair progress with the delivery of Cape Turnagain stone, about 1200 cubic yards now being stacked readv for crushing. The Herbertville road is cutting up under the winter traffic and it will be necessary to put on a few loads of maintenance metal as soon as possible. An inspection of Cook’s Tooth road was made in company with the District Engineer, and though no advice so far lias been received re this council’s application for a grant for top-dressing I understand that there is some doubt about this being granted. The concrete pegs have been put in to replace the old ones, the surface rolled, water laid on, and generally the grounds at the Cemetery h»ve been very much improved by the caretaker. The cleaning of ■the drains round Porangahau is now nearly completed, and a portion of the beach road has been scarified and rolled and a light coat of crushed metal put on the worst sections. The bridge near Healey’s will require renewing before long as it is in a poor state. Just before last meeting in company with Cr. Longley, an inspection of Siteman’s road was made and' the settlors are prepared to quarry and break the metal if the council will provide a lorry to cart out enough rock to complete the metalling to the Weber boundary. A complaint has been received re the straying stock on this road, and a notice will be sent to the offender. The Mangaorapa road’s are in fair con dition and 96 cubic yards of crushed metal was delivered on to the Lower Mangaorapa read between Dalby's homestead and the Main road. Eparaima Riding.—The contractor has continued the metalling of the main highway between the Flaxmill and the Lakes road, a total of 468 cubic yards being put out for the month. Scarifying and reshaping has been carried on as required and as soon as the Lake road metalling is completed, the Main road work will be carried on. A new 12-inch pipe has been put in. The metalling of Ugly Hill road has now been completed, a total of 522 cubic yards having been put on. A few corners on this road have been widened. The ofj-hitch grader broke down on this road 1 and it was necessary to renew the two front wheels. This machine is now at work. The metalling of the Purimu-Lakes road is now in hand, and the grader is improving the surface and clearing water-tables where required. Throe extra men are engaged in clearing spoil pulled by the off-hitch. The No. 1 power grader broke a cog in the gears last week, and was in for repair. This engine has given similar trouble on three former occasions. Stoddart road has been raked with the grader and would be better for a run over with the roller when weather permits. Patangata Riding.—The section of the Main Highway to be sealed hns been tested and a quantity of metal is required on about, 25 chains of this road to bring the depts of metal to the required six inches and this work will be put in hand as soon as a lorry is available. About 400 yards of red metal will be required. It has been decided to extend the section making one mile from Otane, but it would be better to carry the sealing to the Racecourse road junction about 12 chains extra. The power grader completed ’the overhaul of the Otane streets and then raked in the Te Kura, Racecourse, White’s, Tod’s and River roads. There are only six unemployed at Otane, two at Elsthorpe and two at Te Kura, the latter being on “over the fence” work. The position in connection with the water-supply requires looking into. Oero Riding.—Maintenance work by the surfacemen and widening by two relief workers has been carried on for the month. The fencing of the enclosure near the Patangata for treeplanting was completed just after last meeting, and the ground is prepared for the planting, and the trees to hand, but owing to the wet it has not been possible to have this work done. A small quantity of old timber from 'The bridge recently taken down was pisposed of to Mr P. Pilcher.

Tamumu and Pourerero Ridings.— Except for surface work by the two surfacemen no work has been done on the main highway this month. The power-grader No. 3 is now commencing the overhaul of this road, the breakwater section having been raked in. The fencing of the approaches to Flein ing’s road bridge hns been completed, and the deck of the bridge wired to prevent slip. Plans and specifications for Logan’s bridge have been sent forward to the Alain Highways Board for approval. The estimated cost of this oridge is £2220. Mangatarata Riding.—No work has

been carried out in this riding for the month. If opportunity permits further poplar planting will be done on the papa cuttings on this road. General. —The Waipukurau bridge contract is progressing steadily, the first span to the deck level being completed and the boxing for span B now in position, and the work is being speeded up to keep inside the contract period. The position regarding the lathe for the depot is not further advanced but a wall drill quoted would be a good investment and the electric welding outfit quoted seems a very useful addition to the plant and it is pro posed to inspect one of these machines in the Hastings district. As soon as possible it is proposed to equip the No 1 grader with pneumatic tyres on the rear wheels.