USE OF GRADER

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 54, Issue 32629, 3 October 1945, Page 5

USE OF GRADER

REQUEST TO THE COUNCIL ACCESS ROAD TO QUARRY. DISCUSSION BY COUNCILLORS The intention to form a company to be known as The Komata Quarries Ltd., to meet what was described as “the increasing demand for a good quality metal product in the district,” was notified to the Ohinemuri County Council at its September meeting, in a letter written by the secretary of the company, Mr R. P. Ganley. The writer stated that the site of the quarry was on the property of Mr L. J. Shaw, in close proximity to Bradshaw’s road, approximately three-quarters of a mile from- the Komata Reefs road. The section of Bradshaw’s road to be used had, it was pointed out, never been formed, and the company, with the permission of the county council, was prepared to undertake to form and metal this length, and to bridge the main creek at two points. High Expenditure “With your experience of roading costs,” continued the writer, “you will know that my company is going to be put to a high expenditure in undertaking these improvements. I have therefore been instructed to ask for some assistance with the supply and installation of culverts, also the use of your grader for the trimming of 12 chains of formation.” Cr. G. A. Avery: Are the people who' commercialise this metal asking us to form a road for them? I don’t think it is a job this council should be asked to do. I know we want metal, and the farmers' want metal, but I do not think we should be expected to undertake something that will add to the burdens the ratepayers already have to bear. He added that it would be a different matter if settlers had asked for these things.

Replying to Cr. Avery, the county engineer, Mr IL. E. Shaw, said he did not suppose the expenditure on the length of road involved could be met under less than £4OO to £5OO, as it involved culverts, the bridging of creeks, and shots through some solid rock. He thought, however, that the work for which the grader was required need not take much more than one day. Demand For Metal Answering further questions, the engineer said 1 he believed a good many I farmers and contractors, as well as I the Public Works' Department, were anxious to see this company started, as there was considerable dissatisfaction with present roading conditions in the area concerned. As far as the council was concerned, the proposal would not affect them, as they had their own plant. Or. S. H. Thompson (facetiously): i I suppose there might be-some question of competition.. Continuing, Cr. Thompson expressed the view that if this scheme wak 'going to ■ prove of benefit to the community, .and especially 'to .the farmers, the council should- at least contribute to it to the extent of allowing its grader to be used for the purpose mentioned in the letter;' . • No County Expenditure Cr. Avery: No doubt it will be of benefit to the community, but I don’t think we should spend the ratepayers’ money in improving a road; part of which is private, and not a legal road. At the same time I don’t think we should object to the use of the grader for one'day for the purpose mentioned. The engineer said he took it the 12 chains of formation referred to meant new formation. Cr. Avery; They would have to pay for the grader, as we have to pay for it. Answering Cr. A. F. Thorp, the engineer said he estimated the culvertsrequired would cost about £4OO. Should Not Hinder Cr. Thompson: Well, we don’t want i as a council to be put to any expense, but on the other hand we don’t want ' to strangle private enterprise which may be prove a benefit to us. Cr. C. Christensen l moved l that the request for the use of the grader be granted free of charge. Cr. E. L. Yearbury: If we allow the grader to be used on a private road without charge we shall be creating a precedent. Cr. R. W. Lowry who seconded Cr. Christensen’s motion, thought the council should agree to a proposition that was going to be of benefit to the district, affecting improvements such c as the bridging of a creek with two bridges, which he supposed would c eventually be the property of the * council. I To Pay The Cost ' Cr. Avery moved l an amendment, I 1 that the use of the grader be granted. l as requested by the quarry company, f

provided the company pay the cost of its use. The chairman (Cr. T. A. Barrett): That sounds like a direct negative to the motion. Cr. Avery: I don’t think so. Cr. Yearbury seconded the amendment. Cr. Thompson gave notice of a further amendment. The amendment was put and was carried by five votes to four. y The amendment, now put as the substantive motion, was carried nem con. A further resolution was adopted, on the motion of Cr. Avery, seconded by Cr. Thompson, to the effect that no objection is offered by the council to the building by the company of the proposed bridges and culverts, provided that where these are over a legal road they shall be constructed under the supervision and to the satisfaction of the county engineer.