WORK OF THE MONTH.

Thames Star, Volume LXV, Issue 18242, 16 July 1931, Page 3

WORK OF THE MONTH.

IN THAMES COUNTY. Engineer's Report. LAID BEFORE COUNCIL. QUARRY OUTPUT. The EngAieer (Mr Jas. Iliggins) presented the following report to the Thames County Council at its meeting on Tuesday:— Matatoki Quarry.—The output from the quarry for the month amounted to 310'} cubic yards. Sales for the same period amounted to 4'2ofi eubic yards, which includes 104 cubic yards taken from stock. The Allis Chalmers Motor which was giving so much trouble pr.cr to the Power Board taking it away for re-adjustment, is now giving perfect satisfaction. It turns out that the opinion of the quarry foreJuan regarding the unsatisfactory running of the motor prior to the re-adjustment was quite correct. During the month a slip estimated to contain over 1000 cubic yards, took place in the quarry, the removal of which will necessitate a large amount of dead work to clear the way for supplying quantities of clean metal ch.fps. The construction of road to the quarry, carried out under No. 5 Relief Scheme, is in progress and arrangements have been made with the quarry contractor tp use the loco and metal trucks for hauling spoil when not otherwise engaged. Main Highways. Hikutaia-Kopu.—Maintenance of a general character has been carried out with grader and metal ch.jps amounting to cubic yards have been used to maintain a loose surface. Kopu-Thames.—General maintenance has been carr.\ed out to metal surface between Hauraki Bridge and Kopu Junction and 87} cubic yards of metal dust was used in repairing shoulder to bitumen pavement north of Kopu. Wharepoa Road. Maintenance to metal surface has been carried out with grader and 24J cubic yards of metal chips used. I would ask that a further 30 cubic yards of metal chips—all in second grade—be used between Frry Road Corner and the Post Office.

Hikutaia-Netherton. Light repairs were effected during the month and a few yards of metal ch.'ps used. Kauaeranga Bridge Approach. — Good progress is being made in constructing the approaches to bridge. It is recommended that the traffic be allowed to use the macadam surface for about three months before sealing takes place. Thames-Waikawau. —. The . road surface between ■ Thames Borough 'boundary and Waikawau Stream has been maintained with grader and a short length of widenhig north of Tapu is being done to safeguard the travelling public. Riding Roads. Matatoki Road —Urgent repairs to metal had to be carried out during the month, taking eight cubic yards of metal and 1} cubic yards of metal dust. This road is developing a number of pot-holes and I would ask i authority to expend £25 during the current month.

Warahoe East Road. —Proposals submitted to the Public Works Department have been approved, but monetary authority to proceed with the work has not yet been received. Wharepoa Drainage Area.—The following drains have been cleaned during the month: Central Drain, 188 chains; Elliot's Road Drain, 40 cihains; Ferry Road Drain, 71 chains; Henwood's Outlet Dr.ain, six chains. Contracts were let during the mouth for cleaning Onetai Outlet Drain,._a distance of 102 chains, more or less, at 3/11 per chain, and for cleaning Townsend's Road Drain, measuring 80:1 chains, to cost 2/2 per chain. Drainage. General. —The general character of the works carried out under the scheme are of permanent nature, but unless settlers between Kopu and Puriri follow the lead given by Wharepoa and form a rating area I fear that the drains will be allowed to into a dilapidated condition. Considering the season of the year and the wet and slushy conditions of the drains good progress is being 'inade. In some cases the men have to work in two feet of water and deserve great praise for work done under such conditions. Eoad Estimates—l93l-32 -.—Estimates have been submitted to the Public Works Department for all works proposed to be carried out by your Council during the current financial year and a copy of same is available for inspection by your Council.