ROADS AND BRIDGES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 105, 6 May 1933, Page 12

ROADS AND BRIDGES

RANGITIKEI COUNTY MEETING OF THE .COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Rangitikei County Council was held on Friday, there being present Crs. W. Doole, A. S. Coleman, R. G. Dalziell, J. Brice, A. Stuart’, H. A. Belk, J. McHardie, L. Hammond, and J. D. Lilburn. In tho absence of tho chairman (Cr. K. W. Dalrymple) Cr. W. LDoole was voted to the chair. Correspondence was received as follows: District Public Trustee, reducing interest allowed on sinking funds to 34 per cent. N.Z. Railways, asking that traffic signs be erected at Turakina Valley Road level crossing near Turakina.— Matter being attended to. Post and Telegraph Department stating that reduced charges on rural telephone lines for year 1933-34 do not apply to other than legitimate farmers’ lines.—Received.

Wanganui Hospital Board, advising appointment of Messrs. A. S. Coleman, A. J. B. Siccly and L. V. Kerby (managing ’ secretary, Wanganui Hospital Board) as committee to act in regard to charitable aid accounts from this council and Marton Borough Council. —Received.

Department of Health re appointment of trustees to tho Mataroa and Tiriaukawa cemeteries. —Received.

.Tauranga County Council forwarding copy of resolution urging Government to institute an immediate and exhaustive enquiry into matter of monetary reform and asking council’s support. Received.

Synith Bros, and Bowyer, applying for telephone concessions along Mataroa Road from the junction of Ngawaka and Mataroa Road—Granted on usual conditions.

C. H. and Mrs. H. Blacklers. re building erected by them on unused road at Rata and which was purchased from them by the council.—Received.

0 Masters, asking permission to remove house at Hihitahi built by the Hautapu Sawmill Syndicate, which is partly on the road.—Granted. A. J. Luke, asking to be refunded £3 Ils amount of repairs to his car alleged to have been caused by an obstruction at Bulls bridge.’—£3 passed for payment, without prejudice. Miss M. Rowe, asking permission to use the Coronation Hall for evangelistic meetings.—The council regretted it was unable to accede to the request. Mr. J. Brown (roadman, Te Kapua), applying for lease of road reserve on the Mangaweka-Te Kapua Road.—Referred to county engineer.

Mr. P. H. Wood was appointed assessor for tho Assessment Court of the county of Rangitikei under the valuation of Land Act, 1925 and amendments thereof.

A special meeting of the council is to be held to declare barberry a noxious weed within the county.

The Wanganui Automobile Association is to be requested to erect a road sign on the Waimutu Road, Fern Flats. Cr. Coleman and tho engineer’s action in purchasing land from Misses Wing required for widening Wing’s Lane, on tho same terms as land procured from Mr. F. Smith, was approved of.

Tho removal of the “egg” at Norwood Corner to a better position will bo attended to when the corner is altered. Mr. S. A. R. Mair reported for the month as follows:

Rangitoto Riding.—Upon the completion of inspection of Bulls Bridge, he had prepared a report on the structure, a copy of which is laid on the table. The report was presented to the Manawatu County Council at its meeting on April 11 by delegates from this council. Tho minutes of the conference arc before you in the correspondence. The repairs to tho bridge have proceeded as expeditiously as possible. Two major braces have been renewed successfully and weak transomes are now being renewed. When these works are completed it will be possible to lift the present restrictions on traffic. Repairs to other less important members and th© deck can then be proceeded with under normal traffic. Protection works to stabilise tho beach at west approach to bridge arc being at west . approach to bridge are being put in hand immediately as a minor erosion has set in. Tho young trees in nursery are being wrenched preparatory to plant’ng out later. Corners on Parewanui Road are being banked and rcmctalled. Curls Bridge-Crofton Highway has _ beer, patched with fine metal and dressed with chips in weak places. Otakapu Riding—Metal repairs have been carried out on Turakiiia-Murton highway on Glasgow's Flat and portions dressed with chips. Handrail on Makirikiri Bridge, Grant’s Flat has been repaired. Wangaehu Valley Road has been trimmed up and repaired. Bad corner on Morgan’s Road has been timbered up and repaired. Arrangements have been made with tho Eitctrie-power Board t..j erect the five lights authorised in Tur.W.na township. Fair progress has been made with realignment works on McQuarrio’s Ifill and Gower’s Hill. Sido slip on lower end of Waimutu Road has beOn repaired. Porewa Riding.--Numerous I arc places have been drcssil with chips. Fern and scrub has been cleared back on Fern Flats and Waimutu Roads and adjoining owners notified to clear noxious weeds on roadside. Arrangements have been made with Miss Wing to set back frontage on Wiag : s Line 25 links. Tho new boundary has been defined on the "round to enable new fence to be erected. The terms agreed upon are similar to those arranged with owners on this road. Wangaehu Riding.--Routine work hr.s been conjtinued throughout tho riding. Concrete lining to wa-.er tunnel at Beard’s Bluff has been repaired and small slips on the bluff removed. Rangatira Riding.—Many bare places have been dressed with chips. Corners are being widened on Mt. Car) Road and water-tables thoroughly overhauled. Small bridge on AldwiiAh Road is being repaired An old culvert on Ongo Road at Kilmistcr’s has been renewed with two foot concrete pipes. The alignment of bend has been improved. Fair progress has been made with deviation on Chubbin’s Hill, Ongo Highway. Fences at Oncpuhi Bridge damaged by floods, have been repaired. Otairi Riding.—Roads around Poukiore are being top-dressed with chips. Scrub has been trimmed back on Watershed Road and routine work carried out. An old timber culvert at Ohingaiti is being replaced with two foot concrete pipes. Vinegar Hill highway has been dressed with chips. Ongo highway has been trimmed up and culverts attended to. Old timber cul-

vert near Pukeroa Township Reserve has been renewed with large concrete pipes and alignment of bend improved. Te Kapua Riding.—Metalling Okaka Road with burnt papa has been completed and about 550 cubic yards burnt for repairs to Papanui Roads. The men arc continuing burning north and south of Papanui for rapair work and will ther commence on Mangamahoe Road, Pohonui. Mataroa-Kocke Road is being trimmed with tractor-grader. Stock paddock at Rangoiti has been cleared of scrub and when burnt will be sown in grass. Metal repairs have been carried out on Upper Turakina Valley and Pukemapou Roads. Namunui, Otaihape Valley and Mangamahoe Roads are being trimmed up and corners widened.

Awarua Riding.—Top-dressing rough metal on Toe Toe Road has been completed. Fair progress has boon made with metalling Rangitane Road. Corners are being widened on Omatane Road and the road generally trimmed and top-dressed with fine metal. The gap on Kawhatau-Makopua Road Ras metalled satisfactorily. Metalling the gap on Tuhoe Road has been completed. Repair metalling has been carried out on Mataroa Road South. Gorge, Manga-weka-Te Kapua Roads and main highway north and south of Mangaweka. Erewhon Riding. Taihapc-Napier highway between Wainui and Moawhango is being trimmed up and repaired. Repair work is in hand on Tutupapa Road. Corners are being widened and repairs carried out to Matawhero Road.

Ruanui Riding.—Repairs arc in hand on Kai Road. Men are breaking down shell rock on Owhakura Road west. Metal repairs have been craried out on main highway Tc Mochau to Hihitahi, Ruanui and Wqiaruho Road has been completed. Corners are being widened on main highway north of Opaea and shell rock boulders between Turangarere and Hihitahi have been rooted out and broken. Bare places have been dressed with crusher chips from Utiku.

Main Highways Reconstruction. Preparation work on Turakina-Bulls highway has proceeded well during the month and with the exception of several short sections, a good surface has been obtained as far as Tennent’s Road at 10 miles 70 chains. Under tho heavy roller numerous weaknesses in foundation were developed—these have been till-drained and rcinetalled and it is hoped will consolidate in time for sealing before winter. The showery weather during the month has considerably delayed the resetting of metal from 3 miles 72 chains to 6 miles 3 chains as when wet, the clay does not mix with metal. However a much improved road bel is gradually being obtained. The weather has also seriously hampered sealing operations and only 614 chains have been completed during the month. If the wet weather continues it will be difficult to seal the length of road already prepared. Estimates for council’s icquirements for highway maintenance and construction for the current year have been prepared and forwarded to the chairman of the District Highways Council. General Matters. After some correspondence with the commissioner in charge of Thames Borough Council, I have purchased the standard Austin grader for £lOO. . As thir. is guaranteed as good as new it is a good bargain. Estimates for current year for general and riding expenditure have been prepared. Riding estimates are laid on the table for approval of councillors.

Kakariki and Utiku Works. The Kakariki plant has run fairly constantly during the month with fair orders in hand. The workshop has been fully employed with repairs to road plant and overhaul of portable crusher etc. I have under offer an 18in. Hecla disc crusher in exchange for our Collett crusher and a cash sum. Experience has shown that the Hecla is the most economic and efficient crusher for our work and provided the Hecla offered is found in order, I recommend the exchange be made. Tho extra Hecla could then be set up for a stand by in place of tho Collett. Tho Utiku plant is at present closed down pending metal being required. Traffic Inspector’s Report.

Patrol work has been carried out regularly, and a good deal of time given to Bulls Bridge, especially during the Easter holidays. With one or two exceptions of a minor nature, no damage has been suffered by vehicles using the bridge in consequence of the repair works being carried out. The Taihapo area was visited during the month. As a consequence of the issue of regulations controlling the carriage of goods, I have had much of my time taken up with advising truck operators concerning their obligations., The whole matter bristles with difficulties. A case concerning the use of false number-plates, which came to light, through the inspection of motorvehicles at the Bulls races, has led to a number of charges being laid against the driver.

In connection with tho accident at tho South Makirikiri School corner, chargee have been laid against the drivers o£ both vehicles concerned. A seriously overloaded lorry was found, on the Marton-Bulls Hoad, and a charge lias been laid against the driver. Two charges in connection with the weight restrictions on the Bulls Bridge have been laid against the drivers of two lorries. ■ A somewhat unusual charge, has been laid in connection with the drawing ot a laden trailer behind a laden lorry, tho former vehicle having no heavytraflie license I understand that this case is being defended. An accident, in which over 20 sheep were either killed or had to be destroyed took place during the month on the Bulls-Turakina Road. After making enquiries a charge has been laid against the driver of the motor-lorry which caused the damage. Cases dealt with by the court during the month wore as follows: —

For operating a motor-lorry with in efficient brakes the owner was fined £: and court costs.

For causing an unnecessary obstruction with a car on a street, the driver was fined 15s and court costs. Both the above cases were taken on behalf of the Marton Borough Council. For leaving a dying animal on the Parewanui Road a drover was fined £1 and court costs.

Notices in connection with the issue, of motor-drivers’ licenses have been issued, and a number of persons have already received their licenses for the

ensuing yar. Motor-Drivers’ Licenses. Four motor-drivers’ licenses were issued, the fees collectd amounting to £l.

Havy-Traffic Licenses.—Fees amounting to £lB 14s. were collected. Financial. Credit balance after last meeting £19,593 15s Id; receipts during month £1325 18s 6d—£20,919 13s 7d. Payments during month, £2638 0s Id. Credit balance before to-day ’s payments, £18,281 13s (id. To-day’s payments, £3198 15s 3d; credit balance after to-day’s payments, £15,082 18s 3d. Resolutions. That tho date for imposition of the 10 per cent, penalty on 1f32-33 rates ho postponed to Juno 14, 1933. It. was decided that a refund be made to all persons who have already paid tho penalty for that period. That engineer be empowered to purchase a second-hand motor vehicle for transport purposes. The following decisions were arrived at:—

That council vole up to £2OO out of tho general account on basis of £3 ■of council’s contribution to each £1 subscribed by the settlers interested for purpose of afforestation of sand dunes in the county that the chairman, Cr. Stuart and the engineer be a committee to deal with tho matter.

That Valuation 'Department be again asked to make a re-valuation of the county.

That unless satisfactory arrangements are made for payment of the 1930-31 rates outstanding, that tins/ be sued forthwit u