AROUND THE COUNTY

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXI, Issue 4955, 13 February 1937, Page 2

AROUND THE COUNTY

REPORT OF ENGINEER. The following report was submitted to the Waitomo County Council meeting yesterday by the County Engineer, Mr. R. H. Browne: — Government Grants. Flans and specifications have been approved for Oniao, Kaeaea, Waitomo Valley (Lower), Tiki Tiki and Poro-o-tarao-Wai-miha Roads; also for Kakara and Waitataura Bridges. Authorities for expenditure have been received for Oniao, Kaeaea Roads, Kakara and Waitataura bridges. Tenders. —Since the last meeting of the Council, tenders were invited for the following:—Crushing Plant— Waitomo Valley Road: Metalling three miles 20 chains. Waitataura Bridge: Timber and ironwork. Kakara Bridge: Timber and Ironwork. Quarrying and spawling metal: Haku Road.

Since last meeting my time has been fully occupied in preparing contracts for Government Grant Works, the supervision and control of ragwort gangs, and erection of crushing plant; the inspection of riding roads has consequently been curtailed. Attention has also been given to collecting data for highway bridge reports, which have to be supplied to the Public Works Department during this month.

Portable Crusher Plant.—Crushing of metal by this plant at Kiritehere ceased on January 25 and the outfit returned to Te Kuiti to undergo an overhaul in respect to oil leakage. The plant is to proceed on Monday next to Haku to crush metal for Mangaotaki and other roads in that locality. The driver has been employed in assisting to erect crushing plant at Waitomo Caves since January 28. Motor Grader. —Owing to delay caused through broken scarifier, the grading of roads is behind schedule. The most important works are being proceeded with as fast as possible, being the reforming of roads to be metalled. On completion of these works the grader will proceed to roads in order of urgency. The grader has operated on the following roads during December: Ahoroa Road 6 hrs, Tate’s Road 13 hrs, Te Kumi-Mangao-hae Highway 10 hrs, Pio Pio-Wairere Highway 8 hrs, Wairere-County Boundary Highway 22 y 2 hrs, Aria-Mokauiti Highway 22h hrs, Mokauiti-Waimiha Highway 23hrs, Hangiatiki-Caves 8 hrs, Swainson’s Road 5 hrs, Wairoma Road 2 hrs, Kohua Road 8 hrs.Mangateka Road 8 hrs, Ramaroa 4 hrs—a total of 140 hrs. January: The Grader commenced operations on January 18 under a new driver, and work has been carried out on Waitomo-Caves Highway, Pio Pio-Wairere Highway, Wai-rere-County Boundary Highway, AriaMatiere Road, Kaeaea Road, reforming. On completion of Kaeaea Road, the grader will proceed to Waitomo Valley Road, thence to Te KumiMangaohae Highway, thence to Te Kuiti-Puketutu Road. Aria Riding.—Maintenance metal to the extent of 260 c.yds. has been delivered to various roads. Formation work in preparation for metalling of Oniao Road has been carried out and road has been partly metalled. A bridge on this road collapsed and 48in diameter pipes have been put in to replace same. Formation work is being carried out on Kaeaea Road preparatory to metalling. Arrangements have been made with the Public Works Department to proceed with metalling on completion of formation. The motor grader is being utilised to grade the road. Awakino Riding.—lmprovements to corners have been carried out on the Awakino end of Manganui Road and maintenance metal has been placed thereon. Depressions on upper section of Manganui Road have been made up and arrangements made to place maintenance metal where urgently required. Instructions have been issued to surfacemen to put in culvert to eliminate open crossing on this road. Metal patching has been carried out on Waikawau Lower Road. Awakau Road has received attention.

Hangatiki Riding.—The Waitomo Valley Road has been cleared of slips and depressions filled where necessary in preparation for metalling. The crushing plant, recently purchased, is being established at a satisfactory quarry site near the junction of Caves and Tumu Tumu Roads. The plant will supply metal for Waitomo Valley Lower Road and afterwards crushed lfiaintenance metal for all roads in that locality. Weak places on tarsealed portion of Hangatiki-Caves Road are to receive immediate attention.

Mahoenui Riding.—Surfaceman has attended to usual maintenance.

Mairoa Riding.—Bridge timber is on the ground at H. Boddie’s bridge and the redecking of same will be commenced next week. Grader is to proceed to Te Kumi Highway at an early date and arrangements are in hand to, place maintenance metal near Oparure after grading road. Paemako Riding. Maintenance metal (1068 c.yds.) has been placed on various roads in the vicinity of Pio Pio. The footpath to Pio Pio School has been formed and metalled. PuWic

Works Department has commenced regrading of main road through Pio Pio in preparation for sealing. The necessary work on street footpaths is to be put in hand immediately so that sealing of same may be proceeded with in conjunction with the Public Works operations. Curbing and channelling at Pio Pio cannot be proceeded with until the Public Works complete new formation. Pipes to replace timber culvert on Nohonoa Road are on the ground and will be laid as soon as possible. Mr. G. Cameron has completed his metalling contract at Kiritehere —approximately 1260 c.yds. of metal placed on highway. Tangitu Riding.—Takiri Road is being widened at various points where same has slipped away. Maintenance metal (180 c.yds) has been placed on Takiri-Mokauiti, Mokauiti North and Mangaiti Roads. Bridge repairs have been carried out to boundary bridge on Kakara Road. Te Kuiti Riding.—Maintenance metal is being placed on Pukerimu Road, and Tiki Tiki Road is being re-pumiced where required. Mr. M- Beros has completed the Tiki Tiki Road metalling held over from last winter. The grader is to proceed to Te Kuiti-Puketutu-Kopaki Road at an early date to prepare formation for metalling.