THAMES COUNTY.

Thames Star, Volume LVII, Issue 14727, 4 August 1921, Page 8

THAMES COUNTY.

FOREMAN'S REPORT

At the meeting of the. Thames County- Council, the foreman's report was adopted as follows: —

MATA BRIDGE.

In my report of July 6, I drew the council's attention to the unsatisfactory manner in which the then supposed contractor was carrying out the work, and of the danger there was of the whole structure collapsing aF any "time, also of the danger the bridge was in of being.completely swept away- owing to the Leyland O'Brien Company's booms having been carried away during June month.

In connection with the bridge what I reported would take place, did so sooner than I expected for between Saturday, June 2, the time of my visit, and Thursday, June '7, a lot of rain fell, and on -Thursday morning at 10 a.m., the foreman reported that the South East wing of the approach had carried away. I'went down at once and.gave instructions for the safety of the general public, and that the stringers that had 'been removed by the contractors be put back again and re-decked as before. This was done and the traffic across the bridge stopped for one day only.

On Saturday, July 9, the chairman and Cr. Niccol paid a visit to the bridge and decided that nothing further was to be done until the Leyland O'Brien Company's attention was drawn to the danger there was of the whole bridge being carried away if immediate attention was not given to the repairs of their booms and the . removal of several large logs which were lying unsecured on the Eastern side of the bridge and liable to be brought down with a fresh in the creek.

On Thursday, July 21, Mr. Wright, Leyland O'Brien's manager,, and myself made a visit to tha Mata bridge and their booms. He at once made the necessary arrangements for the removal of the logs with two men living in the district. He also took measurements of the timber . and, material required for the repairs of the bridge and booms, also engaging three men to start work the next day. On Friday last I again visited the bridge and found that withv the exception of the removal of the logs. there had been nothing done and the men were waiting for timber and material. This work should not be delayed longer than is possible as there is a danger of logs still up the creek being brought down and of the bridge being swept away and traffic on the road cut off. I have communicated with the company and urged 1 that the material required be sent without' delay and they have promised to do so. COAST ROAD. t During my visit to the different works along the Coast Road, during the past two months, I have noticed the bad state of the road at different places and this where there is gravel- suitable for repairs, and although the County owns a horse in this district advantage has not'been taken during . the summer to cart suitable. gravel along the roads foi repairs during the winter months. Since I have obtained control I have notified the foreman that the horse and dray must be used for purely County work unless authority to*'do' is first obtained from the office I would suggest that the horse be allowed to remain in that district for another three months and that the man who is employed during the' timt Mr. Jones is engaged at the Mata bridge be instructed to cart suitable gravel off the beach, 'repairing the road where necessary, or stacking the same for repairs when wanted. KAUAERANGA BRIDGE. ,

Plans and specifications for 1 the proposed repairs to this bridge are being prepared, and tenders for the whole work as agreed on with Mr. E. F. Adams, Thames Borough Consulting Engineer,, will be called for at once.