COUNTY WORKS

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 54, Issue 3892, 21 April 1937, Page 12

COUNTY WORKS

IN THE OTOROHANGA DISTRICT. ENGINEER’S REPORT. (Our Resident Representative.) M)r G. A. Jackson, engineer to the Otorohanga, County Council, in the course cf his monthly report to the Council at its meeting yesterday, said: “Despite the exceptionally wet weather during Easter with an increased volume of traffic, no material damage t< roads occurred, other than what might be termed ordinary maintenance. “The Main Highways Beard’s grader broke down two days before the holidays and it became necessary to let them have both the Council’s graders for a week to keep the main road lin clrder. Fortunately, the Council’s work was, well up-to-date and the graders could be spared for the time. “Most of the roads are in need of shingle, but as W. Smale has accepted a contract to scoop 3000 cubic yards of shingle at 2s 6d per cubic yard, and will start immediately, arrears in this respeet will soon be’overtaken. “Ngahape - Korakonui Road: The contractor made- a start immediately after the holidays and is makinggood progress. “Tauraroa Road metalling contract is progressing satisfactorily. “Kio Kio Drainage area: The County Chairman and myself spent a day inspecting the drain and discussing maintenance with the interested parties. The drain was not properly maintained fc,r a considerable length, but the real trouble is that the drain requires deepening near, Fuketarata Road. No agreement was

reached as to future maintenance of the drain, but as a result of the conference the- drain will be mutually cleared. “Arohena Timber carting: The proposed agreement with Messrs Smyth Bros, and Boryer has now been signed by the Company and is submitted for the signature and seal of the Council. “Hauling Plant: The estimated cost of a good new plant mounted on a carriage and self propelling is £450. “Noxious Weeds: Notices to clear road frontages have been served on all known offenders. A few have complied with notice, some have partly complied, while many have made no attempt at all to comply. Prosecutions will be issued against the latter forthwith. RAGWORT ERADICATION. “Ragwort Control: The number of men at work at date is 51, all working cm applying sodium. For a time the Ifarmers did not show a willingness to provide the necessary material at this time of year, but the position has very much improved and sufficient applications are coming forward to occupy the men until the scheme runs out at the end cf the month. Difficulty has been experienced in procuring lime owing to a shortage of railway waggons. “Respecting future operations it has been represented to the Department of Agriculture that it would be better to start on May Ist and finish up on November 30th than to run for four months later to March 31st. “Subdivisions: A scheme plan is submitted on behalf of Mrs Ormsby of a subdivision of Otorohanga B2 sec. 2B which I recommend for approval.