COUNTY ACTIVITIES

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 77, Issue 6985, 3 November 1948, Page 11

COUNTY ACTIVITIES

ENGINEER’S REPORT Road maintenance in Otorohanga County Ridings during September was detailed by the engineer (Mr B. McKenzie) at Monday’s meeting of Councillors. The engineer’s monthly report stated that repairs had been carried out in all ridings, as follows: « Honikiwi (104 c.yds), Mangaorongo (222 c.yds), Te Rau-a-Moa (107 c.yds), Waipa (504 c.yds), Wharepapa (857 c.yds). Total for County (1794 c.yds). Routine grading was carried out on all riding roads. Scooping Plant: The scoop has been employed at Waikeria where 535 c.yds were scooped for Wharepuhunga M.H. and 120 c.yards for Ngahape Road. Loader Dozer: The machine was employed five days cutting back corners on Lethbridge’s and Hingaia Roads; the remainder of the month was occupied in loading metal.

Trucks: One of the Ford trucks has been fitted with a Mercury engine and gearbox and is again in operation. A second is still under repair and the third has been run in. Orders were placed for two new trucks and delivery of the first is expected in a few days. When these trucks have been received the fleet will consist of two Ford sixes, two Ford VB’s and three Commers.

Main Highways Estimates: The Main Highways Board advises that the following votes have been approved. (Maintenance figures are in parentheses):— Ouruwhero M.H. (£99), Honikiwi (£750), Old Te Kuiti (£300), Mangaorongo (£945), Wharepuhunga (£1200), Pirongia Ngutunui (£1200).

For construction work on Honikiwi and Old Te Kuiti Highways, the votes are £l6OO on account and £9OO. Highway maintenance votes total £4554 and construction £2300.

Honikiwi Highway: Plans and specifications for reconstruction of 50 chains have been completed and are being submitted to the Main Highways Board for approval. As soon as this is obtained tenders will be called.

Tauraroa Bridges: Test borings for the foundations of the bridges will be made next week.

In discussion on the engineer’s report, the chairman (Mr J. L. Wallis) commented that in the purchase of the Council’s new trucks, local servicing facilities were a factor in the decision to procure the Commers. With reference to the Main Highways estimates, the chairman said that the Council had been granted what it had asked for.

Regarding the proposed work on the Honikiwi Highway, the chairman sought the opinion of Cr H. C. Grierson, the Riding member. Cr Grierson agreed with the chairman that the position in respect to this project would have to be faced. A special rating area would have to be set up, said the Riding member. It was stated by the clerk (Mr M. P. Goldsbro) that a poll of ratepayers with 75% in favour must be greater than that of the dissentients.

It was. resolved that the question be considered fully by the Riding member and the executive officers, and brought forward for discussion at the next meeting of the Council on December Bth.

With regard to the Tauraroa bridges scheme it was stated by the clerk that a special rating area for this project has been defined. The Council decided to apply to the Local Government Loans Board for authority to raise a loan of £lOOO in the rating area specified-. To this the Council resolved to contribute the sum of £750, making a total of £1750. The term ’of the loan is for 20 years, and the increase in rates occurring from it amount to 2Jd in the £ in the special rating area, and 4d in the County’s general rating charges.