THE MAIROA LOAN.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 577, 18 June 1913, Page 5

THE MAIROA LOAN.

_ _ METHODS OF METALLING. DEPUTATION TO COUNCIL. Metalling methods in a new district are always subject to criticism on the part of the general public, and the metalling work carried out by means of special loans in rural districts is of the greatest importance. At Monday night's meeting of the Waitomo County Council a number of settlers in the Mairoa special rating area waited on the Council and complained about the manner in which the metalling work on the Arapae and Mairoa roads was being carried out. Major Lusk, who spoke first on behalf of the deputation, said the settlers were exceedingly dissatisfied with portions of I the work. He considered at least i three parts of the work had not been done according to specifications. The quantity of metal laid was not up to the required amount. Much of the material was too large, being nearer six inches than 2f» inches, and the metal had not blinded with screenings. The widening had been insufficient, and in places the metal was so close to the bank that lamps were knocked off vehicles by the banks or projecting timber. Culverts were choked and were not carrying off the water; the earthwork in places was too narrow, and metal was rolling over the bank. In the first part of the road spalls had been put down, and were coming through. These were a few of the items of complaint, but the were enough to show he settlers had good ground? for complaining that the work was not being carried out according to specifications. Mr J. Francis said the contractor, with whose work they had most fault to find, ws Mr Innes. He understood the metal had been tapped in several places, and was found to be short. Scieenings had not been put on according to specifications, and opposite Mr Davidsun's milking shed where screenngs had been put on the metal had come through and big 3tonas were now showing on top. Further, he understood that most of the metal bad been spread with a pick instead of being shovelled.

The chairman said the County engineer and inspectors were overseeing the work, which had also to be passed by the Government engineer. Mr Francis said if the Government Engineer was satisfied to pass the work the Mairoa settlers would go as a deputation to Wellington and protest. The chairman said the Council was pleased to have the opinion of the settlers, and their representations would be given due weight, but when it came to a matter of opinion between the settlers-and the engineer the council Would support the engineer. Cr Were said he would object to that attitude. Mr Thorns referred to the work on the Mairoa road, and hoped the contract would not be passed till the specifications were carried out. Mr Quinlan said he thought the Council should correct the matter during the progress of the work. If big Htonss were put down and covered up it would be impossible to remedy the fault later on. He also said the widening had not been attended to, and in places it would be almost impossible to drive a five-horse waggon round some of the bends. Mr Morris referred to the departure from the specifications in respect to the first portion of the work where screening had not been carried out. The chairman said this had been arranged on the advice of the Government engineer, but subsequently they had arranged to have the remainder of the metal blinded with screenings

Mr Morris said he was of opinion that by allowing the contractor to put screenings on top of an under layer of metal which Was insufficient, the Council would be held to have consented to the work. The chairman said it was casting a reflection on the engineer to say ' slumming was allowed in the work. Mr Morris continuing, said ke understood the engineer had written to Mr Were prior to the meeting of settlers stating it waß impossible to satisfy every settler. He was sure that not a single settler concerned was satisfied with the work, and he would pay ten shillings for every satisfied settler who was found. The chairman, in replying to the deputation, said in the first place the contract hs not passed. In respect to any places where there was insufficient metal, he believed the engineer had something in view. He regretted the engineer was not present, but he had been called away suddenly on urgent private business, and on his return these complaints would be laid before him. With reference to the portion of metal which had not been screened, it had been agreed by the then Government engineer and the then County engineer to have screenings and metal mixed and laid down. With the advent of two new engineers that method had been abandoned, and the screening had been reverted to. Regarding the depth of metal it was well known that in places it was advisable to lay fifteen inches; in other places eight inches would perhaps be sufficient. As to the widening of the road, there was not sufficient money to do more than had been done, and the Gouncil was doing the best it could with the fundß available. A unnfortuntae position bad arisen in respect to widening the Arapae. The Government had promised to put the Araape road in a proper state to receive the metal. This was when Mr McKenzie was Minister of Public j Works. He had suggessted that the Council should proceed with the widen ing out of he subsidy money, and provision would be made on the following year's Estimates for the money. A change of Government had taken place, and the new Minister of Public Works had declined to carry out the work. The Council was therefore obliged to do the widening out of the Bubsidy money, and thus lost a sum

of about £BOO which should have been provided for the work. Cc Were said that when the en gineer knew there was to be a meeting of settlers he wrote a letter stating that sufficient metal having now been put on by the contractor the first contract would be passed. If that meant the section to Pukaruhe road he would object. At various times he had tested the metai, and had found it to be of insufficient depth. The size of the metal was too great. As to the engineer, he did not suppose he was overburdened with experience in metalling, and the deputation of settlers should tend to strengthen the engineer's attitude. The settlers were not there in an antagonistic spirit as far as the Council was concerned. Cr O'Dwyer said it was only natural ' the settlers should make an objecion if bad work was being done. If they were not satisfied they could appeal to the Government engineer and ask him not to pass the work. The chairman said he had not personally inspected the work, but he would go out and do so. Msjor Lusk in thanking the Council for receiving the deputation said the settlers were in earnest that the work should not be passed until it was completed to specification, and they wera of opinion that the matter should be rectified, a3 the work was proceeding. The deputation then withdrew.