WORKS in THE BOROUGH

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXIX, Issue 3943, 12 July 1918, Page 1

WORKS in THE BOROUGH

FOREMAN'S REPORT,

Mr G. V. Hooper> the Borough foreman, presented his report as follows, at the Borough Council meeting last

night

"Owing to the continuous wet weather operations in so far as development work is concerned have been practically at a standstill, and attention has been generally confined to maintenance of drains and clearing

noxious weeds,

In order to relieve Hughendon Street drain I found it necessary to clear the whole length of drain from Mr Ushers corner to main outfall, near railway bridge, a distance of approximately 34 chains. Bradley and Corbett Streets drains have also been cleaned, and are now doing their work fairly well.

Te Aroha Road drain from traffic bridge to Mill Road has been brought into working order. I found this in a much worse condition than I antici-

pated, the clearing of over-growing hedge on Messrs Hague-Smith's boundary revealing a drain track that had evidently been neglected for a considerable time. This work was necessary in' order to secure sufficient fall to the river for the low-lying area on the Old Te Aroha Road.

Old Te Aroha Road Drainage.—By , reason of the continuous wet weather/ the water accumulated to a depth of 18 inches on this road rendering it impassable foi> pedestrians. I have run a drain from the Te Aroha Road to the low portion of the road mentioned, and the difficulty is how overcome. The condition of the pathway is very unsatisfactory, and is in great measure attributable to the negligent ! manner adopted by owners of cattle^ when driving along the roads. In the event of improvements being undertaken and the footpath formed to uniform condition, compliance with the by-laws must be insisted upon. Rye Lane Work has been on this section, and conditions are as they | were when I wrote last-

Cullen Street.—As previously reported this street has been given a coat of second-class metal, but requires rolling to give it a good bearing surface for light traffic. I should like your authority to have this work done.

Coronation Street Drainage.—From Hill, Cullen, and Moore Streets being congested and overflowing I am having a section of the outflow cleared to relieve it.

King Street.---This street is in a very unsatisfactory condition. Since receiving instructions I have closed it twice to cattle. On one occasion I am informed the presence of the ranger failed to have your Council's decision respected, and driving cattle^ along the. footway was persisted in. Proceedings are being taken against the offender. As stated, the street is very much cut up, and personally I advise that no further sanction be given foj the passage of stock until the winter is over. As one of the works to be considered important, and to be completed when circumstances permit, I would recommend* this a.s among the first. Moore Street Footpath has been given a dressing with metal chips, and two loads have been spread on Hill Street.

The depression in footpath in front / of Mr W. Sorenseifs, in Hughendon ,'< | Street, is continually causing trouble ' with flood water. I would suggest ; raising this portion of the street; The gravel placed on Poland Street / has not proved satisfactory, and I - * would like authority to spread about ■; 3 yards of metal on worst portion of ? the street. <' Lewis Street. —Metalling this street* •;* with second-class material is being 'i proceeded with when opportunity ;.^ offers... , "• Noxious Weeds.—This -question is .j, becoming a very serious one, for • ■ though considerable areas have been .^ cleared I can only proceed with the :f: work intermittently and there is a <] wide area to deal with. I would sug- ''| gest the consideration of gorse, black- ' -• berries, etc., being dealt with by con- V tract. . The assistance authorised is being ; given to Mr Roach in respect to , _-* drain, and a crossing has been given ,yj to Mr Carter's entrance from Station /;ps Road. , ' ' ,' Footpath Metal. —In view pf the :," call upon this metal at the'present ,';" time I should like authority to obtain 3 trucks of the material for re- >"'. pair purposes. Several footpaths call • for attention. ' .* * Staff.—ln accordance with your ?n. l * • structions the staff has been reduced by two men. Office Facilities. —I have now in- ._, stalled myself in the room all cat^d ", to me, and the necessary means brinEf '. ■' to hand, a record of expenditure on •*;« the various works is now kept The works account book was opened from May 17 last, and entries will be mndc from that month forward, relating to the expenditure of monies on the dif- ■ ferent works. Previous expenditure s ■ must' necessarily be approximate and 1 ; conjectural." ■>' . Estimates.—The following costs of \ ''.-[ work done were supplied by the fore- ' ■' man :—Tarring main street and foot- ' , V paths : Metal £15, labour £40, tar £54, ', carts £5, sand £5, making a total of ;.

£119. Rye Lane, for work to date, £57 Is. The estimated cost of piping 3 J/2 , „ chains in Hughendon Street was estimated at £1£ Os 9d.

METAL CHIPS FOR FOOTPATHS. It was decided to authorise the purchase of three trucks of metal -i chips for the footpaths. CULLEN AND MOORE STREETS. ','

Authority was given for these streets to be rolled, the work to be \, undertaken when the weather condi- • tions are favourable. The- cost was ' set down.-at £4 10s. HUGHENDON STREET. It was decided to defer considera-, t tion of the work to be done in this street until next meeting.' KING STREET. After a good deal of informal discussion on this matter it was decided that the Mayor exercise the authority given to him under the Municipal Corporations Act, to temporarily close this street against stock. In the meantime legal advice will be ob-, -^ , tamed by the town clerk from Mr 3* Martin, the solicitor for the Bor- 1, oughs'. Association.