AROUND THE COUNTY

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXIX, Issue 4746, 14 September 1935, Page 6

AROUND THE COUNTY

ENGINEER'S REPORT. The following report was submitted by the Waitomo County Council Engineer, Mr. R. H. Browne, to the monthly meeting of the Council yesterday. Public Works Estimates,. 1935-36. The District Engineer, Taumarunui, has been advised that settlers and the County were prepared to provide a cash contribution for Waitomo Valley (Hislop's Access) Road, Mapara South Road, and Te Kuiti-Kopaki via Puketutu Road and requested that same be given consideration on Estimates. Mr. W. J. Broadfoot, M.P., was also notified in respect to these items. The District Engineer has also been requested to consider a reduction of the cash allocation to be found by settlers on the Auahi South Road. Further representation in respect to the subsidy on Ramaroa Road bridges has also been made to the District Engineer. Mr. M. Beros is proceeding with his metalling contract No. 369, comprising several roads in the vicinity of Te Kuiti, as far as weather conditions permit.

Plans, etc., are being prepared for two bridges on the Ramaroa Road, the necessary surveys having been completed. Surveys for road works will be put in hand on receipt of official notification from the Public Works Department. At present it has not been decided which works will be undertaken by 'the Department and which shall be carried out by the County.

Unemployed Labour.—At the present time there are 30 unemployed men working on County Roads, irrespective of six men in No. 4 Camp, as under: —Aria Riding 1, Awakino 4, Hangatiki 9, Paemako 9, Tangitu 6, Te Kuiti 1.

Aria Riding.—Surfacemen have given attention to usual maintenance and removal of small slips. Arrangements have been made to have drain cleaned out on Oniao Road. The work will cost not more than £6 and will relieve present flooding of road. This road should be graded up during the summer months. With reference to washout on Paraheka road, leading to Swainson's, no word has been received from the Ohura County in respect to same.

Awakino Riding.—Filling at bridge on Mokau River Road is subsiding through action of tide; an inspection will be made as soon as possible. The test pile driven at Manganui River bridge, failed to comply with P.W. Dept. requirements and a further test has been requested with a heavier monkey, this will be attended to at the earliest opportunity. Arrangements will be made during this month to metal balance of Briscoe Street, Awakino. Metal patching has been carried out on Mokau River Road and at Mokau township, also on portion of Manganui Road. Hangatiki Riding.—Ahuroa-Tapairu Highway is being metalled in weak places, the work is still proceeding. Subsidence on this road near Borough Boundary appears to have settled down and arrangements are being made to repair same in respect to width and grade. Heavy slips completely blocking traffic on Caves road, necessitated the employment of extra labour to remove same, but the road is now clear. The redecking of bridge near Hangatiki is being attended to, it will be necessary to close road for one day, during next week. Metal patching has been carried out on Rangitoto road and surface is now in very good order. Mahoenui Riding.—Usual maintenance has been carried out by surfaceman on the various roads in the Riding. Mairoa Riding.—Metal patching with river shingle, between Main Highway and Oparure, is-to be attended to early next week. A box culvert on Te Kumi-Mangaohae H.Wnear Mairoa collapsed, and has been replaced with a 9-inch diameter concrete pipe. Temporary repairs have been effected on Fullerton's road, further work is required when weather conditions permit. Paemako Riding.—The top-dressing" with metal on Trooper's Road is now completed, two unemployed men are employed in improving corners. A set of 12-inch pipes has been put in on Mangaotaki road to replace decayed timber culvert. Slight damage was caused to Waitanguru Hill through stone culvert blocking. Repairs to bridge decking near Mr. S. Ronaldson's.is being attended to. The slip on Mahoenui-Kawhia road (part Mairoa Riding), is still coming down, necessitating attention two or three days a week. Pomarangei Hill is being improved by unemployed labour. Arrangements have been made to put Whakahau road in order. Metal patching has been carried out on Kiritehere road.

Tangitu Riding.—Numerous slips, washouts, and subsidences occurred on Takiri road. The majority of these have been attended to and arrangements are in hand to complete the balance. Traffic has not been held up. Maintenance metal has been placed on road between Waimiha and Mokauiti. Slips on Kakara road have been removed. Arrangements have been

made to place about 12 cubic yards on Mokauiti North (Mcßeth's) road. Ramaroa road is being improved by unemployed labour. Slips are being removed from Ellis and Tutu roads. Improvements to Kopaki-Mangapehi road are being carried out by unemployed labour. Te Kuiti Riding.—Acting surfaceman has been employed in improving Mangatea road, also giving attention to Waitete and Pukenui roads. The worst places on Mangatea road have been metalled, further metalling is still to be attended to. Arrangements are in hand to improve Maraetaua (Kerr's) road by patching with river shingle. Improvements have been carried out on Pukerimu road and grader will be over road in the course of a few days. A report has been received that a culvert on the Waipa River road has been partly washed but. An inspection will be made as soon as possible. Te Kuiti-Puketutu-Kopaki road is to receive attention when weather conditions improve sufficiently to permit of practical work to be carried out.