WANGANUI COUNTY COUNCIL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18757, 14 April 1923, Page 11

WANGANUI COUNTY COUNCIL

The Wanganui County Council met yesterday. Present: Councillors A. D. Mackintosh (chairman), D. McGregor, A. Collins, D. Mackintosh, W. E. Broderick, H. Hamilton, F. H. Allen. HEAVY TRAFFIC. The provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union called attention to damage to roads by heavy lorry traffic. They asked whether some restriction of load per inch of tyre could not be devised to regulate the traffic. It was decided to reply that the matter had already been dealt with in the by-laws. KAUANGAROA BRIDGE. In regard to the Kaungaroa Bridge, it was decided not to consent to proceed with the work until fresh tenders are called. MISCELLANEOUS. On Cr. Alien’s motion it was decided to go into the question of getting a stone crusher for Mangawhero Riding. It was decided to inquire from the Public Works Department whether they would complete Anderson’s Road. The engineer, Mr R. D. Tosswill, stated: Mangawhero Riding.—Good progress has been made with general repair work on the Parapara Road from the Waimarino boundary, southward. This has included the cutting and clearing of overhanging scrub, the cleaning of water tables, the widening of two chains of road near Lake Hill and Kakatahi stream bridge, and the filling in of ruts. The surface on the Takehia has been picked up and blinded in the roughest parts, and similar work has been done lower down the road, and portions of Aberfeldy Hill have been blinded. Steady progress is being made by the contractor, with the eas ing of bends between 16 and 25 mile peg, and the contract for supplies of metal betwen the 8 and 101 mile peg has been completed, and the newly metalled lengths are being scarified and rolled and large stones broken. The small bridge over the Waimatoa stream at the 13J mile peg, which was in a very decayed condition, has been dismantled, and is now being repaired with old bridge timber. The metalled surface of the Riverbank Road has been extended for a farther 30 chains (reaching Mr Ford’s entrance) and patching was done from Harper’s Bridge onwards. Several slips were removed on the Paparoa section of the River Road, the formation was widened at various points. Culverts were attended to and wind falls removed. In addition to general work on Parihauhau and Mangahowhi Roads, the 6ft. portion of Tekomai Road is being put into thorough repair. The upper end of the Makirikiri Valley Road (between 7 and 9 mile pegs) was shaped up with the grader. Forty yards of grit were used in strengthening the weak places and tins portion of the road is now in fair order. Some of the pipes for renewal of culverts on this road have been laid. The work of erecting fence at Upokongaro between the road and the river is now in hand. IMangamahu Riding.—The neces sary formation work at the approaches of the Taokete Stream bridge has now been completed on the River Road. Slips have been removed at Collins’ and Harper’s Cliffs, and ruts and holes have beer, filled and watertables have been cleaned near Talpo Creek. 'Lockett’s contract for the supply of 500 yards of grit has been completed, and an additional 62yds. were used in joining up the previously metalled portions between the 36J and 38 mile pegs. The delivery of metal on the

Creek Road is now in hand, and an old culvert at the Blue Cliff has been replaced with earthen pipes. The fencing at the Boulder Bank Cliff has been completed, and the tables near Silverwatcr bend have been cleaned.

Purua Riding. A considerable amount of gravel patching has been done on No, 2 Line, extending from the borough boundary to the Deniair Junction, and 27 cubic yards were used in patching Warrengate Road. A large slip was removed from the top of Reid’s Hill, and an old slip at the foot of same is being widened out and the spoil used in easing a very sharp bend at this point. Kaitoke Riding.—The surface of No. 1 Line between the borough boundary and Awarua Creek, also the Marangai Hill, which had become particularly rough, was scarified, shaped up and rolled, and a little gravel patching was done between the 1 and 3 mile pegs. The greater part ot the road was trimmed with the grader. A short length of ditch on Concord Line was set back nearer the fence to give greater road width opposite Mr Fowler's entrance, in addition to the usual maintenance work, in company with the county chairman, an inspection was made of the outfall of the Kaitoke Lake, and it was apparent that if a comparatively small amount of work was done in cleaning the first thirty chains of the creek, much of the trouble caused by the flooding of the road would bo overcome. Kaukatea Riding—Stoke’s contract for the supply of gravel for refacing and patching No. 3 Line has been completed and watertables were cleaned between the 8 and 9 mile pegs. The cleaning of the drain near the 4 mile peg is in hand, and cleaning of a drain on the Okoia Road has been completed. The small bridge giving access to Mr Caird's property was found to be in such a decayed condition that it was necessary to replace same. Timber from the old Upokongaro Bridge was used for the purpose with the exception of the decking, which is on order and will be placed in position as soon as it comes to hand. Morikau Riding.—The upper end of Matahiwi Track adjoining the Waimarino County has now been repaired, the total cost of the work being £36. On the River Road a manuka- mattress has been laid at the slippery ford and securely fastened down to the papa with ancho’’ bolts, and it is hoped that by this means the danger to stock will be avoided.

Upper Wangaehu Riding.—Roads throughout this riding are being put into shape with the grader, and culverts have been cleaned and repaired on Rangiora and Owliakura Roads, and a considerable number of roots and stumps interfering with the work of the grader have beer, removed on these, as well as on the Wangaehu Valley Road, where the corduroy has been renewed and breastwork repaired opposite Pungatawa.

General.—An inspetcion was made, in company with the special committee, of a small area of land for surfaceman’s use near the Parihauhau junction, and was found to be suitable for the purpose required. A suitable site for surfaceman’s residence adjoining the school section in the Upper Wangaehu Riding is also under offer to the council. Several of the present cottages require minor repairs. The erection of a surfaceman’s cottage on the recently acquired property on the Creek Road has been completed, and the amount of rent to be charged requires to be decided upon. The punt at the Upokongaro ferry requires caulking, as it is leaking considerably, necessitating much heavy labour in pumping. The pipe at the artesian bore at Mataongaonga Bridge has been repaired and protected as directed. The report was adopted.