ENGINEERS' REPORT

Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette, 26 February 1941, Page 7

ENGINEERS' REPORT

Gentlemen, —I have to report on the period ended 18th February, 1941. Eecent rains proved thr.t some metal surfaces are very thin as they became very sloppy during the wet, so that we should make haste to get maintenance metal on these length's before winter conditions set in.

ALBERT EIDING —Good weather has enabled the contractor at Mt. Brame to get good tallies, over 1100 yards having already gone through the crusher, so that the contract, will most likely be completed iiofore n«xh meeting. The Partridge's road grant is now completed, in fact, overspent. 84 c. yards more limestone than tho contract amount were put on, and the metal length increased by six chains. There is still about a mile of metal required to give the three remaining settlers all- weather access. The grader has trimmed the Wellsford school frontage ready for a course nf limestone, and brushed in loose metal on the Highway.

Arai Hiding—No metal has been delivered yet from the new contract in Hey wood's quarry, and likewise no limestone for the Highway at Grey's flat, but Mt. Brame metal has been trailed on Highway 388. The grader brushed in loose metal on both Highways on its way back from Te Arai, where some heavy work was done on the Point road. The machine also made a circuit of Black Swamp and Coal Hill road. The department intends to metal a further 50 chains of Black Swamp road.

Hotko Biding—No authority has come to Imnd yet for metalling Pool's access. The metalling at Wayhy corner has been completed, and Highway 389 has had its full share of maintenance metal for the year, but is in urgent need of the gra der again. "The foreman has finished repairs to Waldrom's bridge, and is attending to urgent deck repairs on other bridges.

Kaipara Riding —Over 400 yards of crushed metal have been delivered from Stewart's quarry and there are enough spauls broken in the.quarry to complete the contract. Most of the above quantity has been spread on the roughest portions of the Highway and this, with the recent grading, has already made a bigim/provement in the running surface. The grader has trimmed up Makarau "20 access, and the steep portion is ready for a sprinkle of metal. A portion of Glorifc Kaipara Hills road was also graded, a fair job being made under tough conditions. A little patching with Tahekeroa shiugle has been done near Ahuroa, and the surfaceman is clearing and opening up water-channels. Surveying at Wech's access is proceeding.

Kourawhero Biding—F ou r scow-loads of metal have now been unloaded at Hepburn Creek, about; half the quantity requited. Although the tides were very good last week the high winds prevented the scow from doing snore than one trip. I have prepared a proposal for an extension of the metalling as it is possible that there may be sufficient funds'to cover all the road formed. The Highway and Woodcocks road are in urgent need of the grader again, and I hope to have it there next. week.

Matakana Hiding—Work is going ahead fairly well at Matakaiia bridge, staging is being erected, sbae! bent, and timbering prepared, Three foundations are ready for concretirig,, and I.have certified the first progress payment. Good progress has been made with the limestone for Mahurangi, Heads road, the contract quantity having already been put on, but it was thought advisable to extend the length by ll£ chains to expend the vote and get a good turning place. All the limestone patching required by the contract has also been delivered, and 145 yards were put on Hamilton's road for the Government giant job. This work also required 45 yards of Lagoon Bay shingle, of ■which 30 yards are already on. 17$ yards of limestone were spread on SneU's Beach road. The grader has jusLfinished the-trimming for metal ling Imlf-a-mile'ofi the Mullet Point road, siwd will now work its way back fro Wiirlc worth. The shingle for Leather's bridge approaches has not yet been put on. Green's load is being iepiiired with about 30 yards of Koger's metal. :'Omaha Hiding—Metalling of

Ashto'n's road is completed, the final following'992isfrr<fa; Metalling on Goaf. Inland Beach road is well in liiui.!; »!ivl with the .-Kill, portion now covoieil, there is little doubt that ihe j(>!) \yi!l ho, fi!ii«lie<l well before the winter.'" Tenders have been called again for formation'of" Synae's road.

Puhoi Biding —All the concrete for Town bridge has now been poured, and traffic will soon be able to cross at Hall bridge. Metalling of L Turnwald's road is completed except for about 2&chains and J. Turnwald's except for I2i c. yards of metal to fill gaps and correct the thickness. Five chains more than the proposal length have been done. Patching metal is being delivered on various roads from Straka's, Tahekeroa. About 40 c. yards went by rail for Puhoi-Ahuroa and 20 c. yards for Anvnoa Valley road.

Tauhoa Riding—Dip bridge handrail has been repaired. Mt. Bra i n«> me If il is liuiut! trailed on the Tauluia-Wbaiebine suction of the Highway and rejects (in Mai-croft's to Diulding's. On Lhis road settlers organised some free labour and did good work cutting back corners, but most of the rest is only sixteen feet wide, and the old grader is at work doing some more widening. The light grader made a good job of the running surface and then went back on the Tauhoa "Whanaki section. Mr Annabell has plans for Newcombe's culvert ready for your consideration, and examination by the Highways Board. Public Works Department, Helensville, has applied for the use of a grader for their work on Run road. A. J. Dow,

County Engineer