YEAR OF PROGRESS.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18518, 24 December 1931, Page 2

YEAR OF PROGRESS.

WAIKATO COUNTY. MAINTENANCE OF HIGHWAYS* EXTENSIVE IMPROVEMENTS MADE Considerable improvement has been effected to various main roads in the Waikato County during the year. Realising that work of a permanent nature is the only way by which maintenance costs can be effectively reduced greater attention was paid this year to permanent work on the main highways. The maintenance of the feeder roads was not neglected.

On the Aucldand-llamilton road a further contract was let for the reconstruction and bituminous sealing of the road between Taupiri and Ngaruawahia, a distance of four miles. The work, has been completed. The .whole length of the main highway in ili-e Waikato County between the Whangamarino . Bridge near Mercer and the Ngaruawahia Borough is now permanently sealed. .... . Hamilton to Cambridge.

: -On -the Hamilton-Cambrldge road i a- contract has been let for the forma-' ■ fion and bituminous sealing of this road from the Hamilton Borough - to : the junction •of the Morrinsvitte Road a'- Miliar's corner. The formation work and foundation metalling is •• completed and the sealing work .siil do done in February.

■ ■.'.plans- have been prepared for extensive improvements to th n grades and -alignment in Hinton’s Gut.'y and negotiations are being carried on whh 'a’view'to having this work done by unemployed labour. Several miles of roads In the Maramarua district have been re-formed and lliese are now' being metalled. The Soldiers’ Settlement Road at Kopuku has also been re-formed and is shortly to be remetallcd. . . Several Miles Re-metallod.

A large programme of remetalling on the Ohinewai-Tahuna Road has been carried out and several miles of the road re-surfaced.

A bridge JlO feet long, built of Australian hardwood and rolled steel joists with approaches, over a. dangerous ford at Matahura was completed and opened for traffic last ■May. A considerable amount of metalling was also done on the roads in this district.

In the Taupiri-Orini District the metalling of Proctor's Road lias been completed as far as the Mangawara Bridge. Extensive repairs to the metal on the main Taupiri-Tauhei Road have been done and the back roads- much improved in various places. A drainage scheme between Lake Kimihia and the Waikato River lias been carried out. The work will re’duec the summer level of the lake ’considerably and bring into use several (hundred acres of good land.

' A comprehensive survey and plans’ have been made of the Mangaonua stream between Platt's Bridge on the Matangl-Tauwharo Road and Hoeka Bridge, w;lth - the object of'straightening this stream and clearing the willows. This work will be put In band as soon as an agreement is .-eached among the contributing bodies.