WORKS IN THE COUNTY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXXII, Issue 2762, 14 August 1931, Page 7

WORKS IN THE COUNTY

HAURAKI PLAINS BODY. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The Engineer (Mr F. Basham) reported as follows to the monthly meeting of the Hauraki Plains County Council yesterday:— Main Highways. ’ “Pokeno-Waihi. — Contractor for supply of maintenance metal delivered 1,850 yards during the month, and this highway is now in much better order. The total amount- of metal provided for in the estimates should be delivered by end of coming week. The period of maintenance of > the sealed portions of road will expire on the 20th of this month. So far the contractors have kept constant watch on the work and carried out any necessary repairs. The work appears to.be standing very well on the whole, but slight wear is noticeable at edges, but this must be expected. I have received monetary authority and partial approval of proposals for sealing the balance of the road between Ngatea and Puke Bridge. I am expecting final approval any day, and propose calling for tenders closing on a day to be fixed -as early as possible. I would suggest a committee consisting of the riding members and chairman being set up to deal with same so as to avoid delay. “Pipiroa-Coromandel. — This road has now received its -allowance of metal and is in very good order. “Orongo-Netherton.—.The bitumen portion of road is showing signs of wear due to continuous wet weather. I have ordered further supplies of Colfix to arrive on Friday, when necessary repairs will be put in hand without loss of time. Z I am of the opinion that it will be necessary to recoat portions of this road before next winter, otherwise, road may get completely beyond repair.

General. “Kopuarahi Wharf. — During the heavy wind the S.S. “Hauiti” bumped into end of wharf and caused considerable damage,, which will be fairly costly to repair. The entire decking on end span will have to be removed in order to get at stringers. One and probably two new stringers and new waling caps will be required, and perhaps one new pile. Down stream side of wharf is at present quite unsafe for traffic. “By-Laws.—Continuous wet weather has been responsible for some roads showing considerable signs of wear. Necessary repairs are being carried out as quickly as possible. “Plant.—Considerable repairs have been necessary on Morris truck and Chevrolet car. They are both in fair running order now, but any further expenditure on them is not justified as they are beyond the point of economical maintenance.”

Discussion. On the motion of Cr. Hale, the committee recommended by the Engineer was set up to deal with the tenders. The Engineer mentioned th a* he had received verbal advice of the authority for the bitumen sealing of the Ngatea-Paeroa main highway. In this connection it was necessary to have certain telegraph and electric power poles removed.

On this subject a letter had been received from the Counties’ Association stating that its president had come to a verbal arrangement with the Post and Telegraph Department concerning the removal of telegraph and telephone poles necessitated by road widning, to the effect that the cc mties ( would bear half the cost >1 the removal of poles on main highways, and that the Councils would bear one quarter of the cost on all other roads. The Engineer also mentioned the necessity for securing a supply of spoil for haunching, and pointed out that the Council had a section at Kerepeehi from which earth could be taken.

In connection with the Kerepeehi wharf the Engineer was instructed to make an estimate for the cost of repairs and claim the damages from the shipping company. ■ The riding member and the Engineer were deputed to investigate the question of using rotton rock for repairs to the Mahutu Road.