PLAINS COUNTY.

Thames Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 17661, 12 August 1929, Page 4

PLAINS COUNTY.

WORK FOR THE MONTH.

REPORT BY ENGINEER.

HIGHWAY AND RIDING MATTERS.

Hie engineer to the Hauraki Plains County Council presented the following report to the meeting on Thursday: Main Highways. Fokeno-Waihi.—Good progress has been made with the haunch ing on tho Waitakaruru and Pioiroa sections and a start has been made on the Ngatea section. Graders have been constantly employed and necessary patching on trial load of Bryant’s .shingle has been laid on Ngatea Bridge approaches. Regular supplies of this material will now be coming to hand and trial stretches will be laid in each riding.

Pipirca-Coromandol.—The blinding of the Hauraki Bridge approach with! red metal has been completed and tho road is now in good order. As tho metal set in good shape T deemed it best not to uoo the roller. I expect the contractor to commence delivery of chips iii about two weeks’ time. Orongc-Netberton.—The contractor has completed the new bridge over tho Ansford drain extension. Between the Willow drain and Orchard East Road sides of bitumen surface have been hacked up with red metal which should preserve the edges of the bitumen.

Ngatea Riding.

Tlie culvert on the Rawe Rawe Road hsvs been repaired and should last for two or three years. A large frame culvert opposite Mr. Sharpie’s farm at Torehape collapsed. It has been replaced with a 19-foot stringer span at a cost of £l2.

Ihe extra traffic on the Ngarua Landing Kaihere Road, due to the increased length of metalling completed last summer, is causing considerable wear on the old gravel portion of this road and a large amount cf new gravel will be required before next winter if this road is to be kept up to standard.

Patetonga Riding.

A small span known locally as Pollen’s Bridge bar- been repaired temporarily, but it will eventually be necessary to rebuild with a larger span.

Pipiroa Ridding.

The concrete pines for the Hopai Road are now to hand. It is nowpossible to issue a certificate of expenditure and thus facilitate legalisa-' tion cf road.

Waitakaruru Riding.

Hudson’s Bridge.— l have again inspected this bridge have to report as before that it is only a matter of time when the bridge Avill collapse. It is completelv beyond renair.

I would suggest renewing with a: bridge with two 25-foot spans having concreto abutments, and pier rolled jfcteel girders, and concrete deck. The cost would be about £750. I understand a £2 for £1 subsidy • would be granted. Provision for this work should certainly be made in next year’s estimates. The work may have to be undertaken sooner. , Kopuarahi Riding.

In company with Cr. Hale I inspected Campbell’s Road and tho River Road. The latter is at present impassable for wheel traffic and nothing can be done until the spring when I recommend this being the first work to he done with the grader as Scon as the road is fit to work, k

Campbell’* Road.—Before any work can be done on this road with a view to opening it for traffic it will be necessary for the boundary to bo fenced. Owing to the amount of water in the drains it is not feasible to put in pipe culverts at the crossing of the road, drain or the big drain further west. To get the necessary depth for the pipep fine weather must be waited for.

Netherton Riding.

Metal is being landed at Puke Wharf for patching on various roads where necessary. Roads generally are in good order. ,