HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4987, 14 June 1926, Page 3

HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

THE MONTH’S WORK. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The county engineer (Mr F. Basham) reported to the Hauraki Plains County Council on Thursday, as follows :— “ Netherton Loan.—Wilson’s Road is completed with the exception of further haunching of metal. This will be done as weather permits. I will submit an account of expenditure for next meeting. Work of this nature nius be commenced earlier in the season, so as to be completed before wet we.ather sets in. It took at least 300 yards of extra metaß which* would not have been necessary had work been completed earlier.” The necessity for an early completion of the haunching was emphasised by Cr. Reid, .who mentioned that several, cars had become stuck through getting off the metal to permit other cars to pass. Cr. Madgwick advoc.ated that the batter oh the roadside drain be improved to obtain spoil. If this was not done the taking of spoil 'from the side of the metal would ma,ke the slppe steep. “ Turua-Netherton Loan. —As scon as possible I should like authority to proceed with the bottom course of metal as this is the best time of the year to carry out this ciass cf work on old meta,! roads, especially where transport is by means of tramway.” Cr. Madgwick advoc.ated financing the work out of the county fund until such time as it was definitely known what amount of the 10 per cent, of the loan possible to be raised should be raised. It was advisable to have the work put in hand as scon as possible.

The matter was referred to the Finance Committee for a report. “Piako Road.—The contractor has completed work on this road. The work on the whole is quite satisfactory. There is an unexpended balance in the loan authority about sufficient to give the road a, coat of bitumen and sand next year. I recommend this being done. The same applies to the Turua-Oiongo road. In fact, all. bitumen roads should receive a coat of bitumen after twelve months to heal any weak places that may develop and to keeii the crust watertight. “Pipiroa Ferry.—Completion of the approaches is still held up awaiting delivery of the last lot of decking. I am fencing the roods’between the top of the stop>-banks and .the timber approaches, and am putting gates at the ends to hold cattle when necessary. The engine and machinery from Netherton will be sent to Thames on Monday and used on the new ferry. In reply to Cr. Parfitt the engineer said that the timber had since ayrived. The ferry would probably be Open by the 20th.

“Ngatea Bridge.—The widening of the span to provide- a passing pl,ace is completed. Mr Clare prepared an estimate of the cost of decking wheel ruts throughout. I recommend this being done.” The report w'as adopted, and the decking of the Ngatea bridge and certain other repairs were authorised.