Mangonui County Roads and Roadwork

Northland Age, Volume 5, Issue 9, 29 November 1935, Page 3

Mangonui County Roads and Roadwork

The following report on the roads and roadwork in the county was tabled by the county engineer, Mr. R. Ralph Torrie, at the last meeting of the Council :

Since last meeting, contracts let have been put in hand, but all work lias been seriously delayed on account of the bad weather conditions. The contractor for Kawakawa corner filling has not made good progress, but with reasonable weather should complete the bulk of the earthwork before Christmas. The contractors for the construction of the culvert have also been delayed by recent floods. Metalling on Peria-Oruru-Mangonui road has gone ahead and should be completed at an early date ; similarly for Ahipara-Wainui road. Proposals for raising of road at Fisher’s bridge have been approved, but the Highways Board advise that there is not sufficient provision on the estimates for the whole job, and suggest calling tenders and submitting- them to the Board for further consideration.

Urgent repair work has been carried out on bridges in Oruru Valley, which are fast becoming a source of continual trouble and expense to keep safe. The stringers on White’s. Silva’s, and Garton’s bridges are rolling off at the ends, and the bridges will need to have considerable sums of money spent on them to keep them safe.

It is some years since I reported on the position, and recommended that the Council take steps to provide funds for their replacement. This should again be considered.

Kaingaroa-Lake Ohia.—ln company with Mr. H. Thompson of the P.W.D. I went over the proposed deviation of this road through Mate Urlich’s property. There is no question that the proposed route for the deviation is the best if there must be a deviation put in, and it would be impossible to carry out the deviation suggested by Mr. Urlich on account of the excessive grades.