Page 4 Advertisements Column 5

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1385, 21 February 1905, Page 4

& ytftßs

Continued from Pago 3.) It was deoided in future to poet speoP fications to the locality of the proposed works, also that copies of plans could be taken hy intending tenderers or their agents at the Council’s office. MATEBIAL LEFT ON HOADS.

Mr J. W. Tiffen wrote pointing out that a numbor of planks had been left closo to Roke’s sawmill near Karaka. They wore evidently intonded to repair the road, but having been loft so long tho only purpose they were serving was to frighten horses. He notified the Council that in the event of meeting with an accident he would briDg an action against tho Oounoil for a substantial amount. ENGINEER’S REPORT. .

The following report was received from the Engineer : Contract 89, emotion of bridge, Tolago : The whole of the steel work for superstructure has boon lauded on the site, and good progress is being made with the ereotion. Three land spana on the northern aide are in position, and one trues span assembled and rivetted.

Contract 94, oolleoting and breaking boulders, Waimata: Some 200 yards of extra stono bas been got out and broken, and 200 yards placed on the road near P. Konway’s. Contraot 96, Mangamaia loan worltB: This contract was inspected by me on the 28rd ult. Most of the necessary formatipn from the Maori pa to the ford near Campbell’s has been executed in the rough, and the accommodation road to Walker’s completed. The road party is now engaged at Campbell’s cutting. Contract 100: 120 yards of metal have been delivered on the road near Puatae station, ooast road. Owing to length of haulage the contraot is progressing but slowly. The contraot lot on same road for metalling near Horihau has not yet been started, and I have notified the contractor that valuable time is being lost through delay in starting his work. On the Tolago hill 200 yardß of metal has been stacked, and is now being broken for repairs on that hill.

A. number of oontraota for carting Patutahi stone have been completed, and I hope to see the balance out of hand in the course of three or four weeks. Contract 109, formation Bahni Road : This contract was not'quite complete at the date of my inspection. Excellent work has been done so far. Contraot 111, road machine: Good work has been exeouted since the last j meeting on the Whatatutu road, and as I there remainod from the funds allocated for this work a small balance, I have used the same in further metal repairs on this road. ' . Contract 115, metalling near Muriwai hotel: Good progress is being made and 10 chains completed. Explorations have been made with the view of improving the Motu road between Foututu and Bridge’s saddle, and I have furnished tracings and estimates to the Motu Committoe, the substance of which is as follows :—Proposed deviation No. 1: Starting about 65 chains west of Poututu accommodation house and joining old road at top of Rideout’s hill, distance three miles ; distance shortened about 1£ miles ; grade ruling lin 18; approximate cost, .£955. Proposed deviation No. 2: Starting from top of Rideout’s hill and running south of old road to Mangatawa creek, distance 2^-miles; ruling grade, 1 in 15; approximate cost, £B3O. Proposed deviation No. 3 : Starting near Smith’s house, Wbakarau,- and bearing north-west and west to Bridge’s Baddle, distance 480 chains; ruling grade, lin 30; approximate cost, £1560; being a total proposed,, deviation of about lli miles, at a total cost of £3345, exolusive of any compensation claims and surveys.

With regard to the big bridge at Matawbere, I beg to report that steps will have to be taken for strengthening and repairing, as reported by me in June, 1901. The filling pieces in the lower'chords are rotten throughout, and the joists certainly unsafe for even the presont traffic. X should recommend strongly that proper repairs be effected and the trusses strengthened by auxiliary trusses, to enable traction-engine traffic to pass jsn this bridge, as it is probable, that. Jihe 1 Council may adopt this, systom of metal from the PatutahjUijuarry. In any case, considerable repairs are absolutely necessary, as the jofUts and decking are at present unsafe for ordinary traffic. Tenders have been called to dose on 27th inst. for the following works : Formation at Hauiti, formation at Mangatokorau, formation at Pfiramata, deepening drain at Somerville’s, Tolago, metalling Xiavenham road repairs, metalling Grey’s hill, metalling Whataupoko-Ormond road, main road maintenance, two years. With reference to the proposed grant of £SOO from the Government towards the erection of a bridge at the third crossing of the Maretaha, I am at present engaged in my exploration, with the view, if possible, of avoiding the two last fords, but am not prepared to make a recommendation to the Council.

MARCH MEETING, In consequence of the third .Friday in the month falling on a holiday (March 17th) it was deoidod to hold the next meeting of the Council on March 20tb. PATUTAHI MAIN DRAIN. Cr Sherratt pointed out that a meeting was to be held at Patutahi that evening to consider the question of drainage. The ratepayers loohed to the Council for some assistance, and he thought they would prefer the Council to raise the loan, the Patutahi people contributing half the interest. 1 Cr Clayton said the Council had at their last meeting promised to contribute the sum of £25 towards the work. The Council could not, however, promise to .'give that amount annually, or they could not bind future councils. The Clerk suggested that the only way io overcome the difficulty was for the Council to constitute a small special district of those settlers benefited by the work. The Chairman said that the Council would no doubt be willing each year to pay for clearing out the main drain and would contribute £2O for that purpose. They could not,be expeoted to pay for clearing out the drain as well as ;half the amount of interest on the proposed loan. It was decided to await the result of the meeting of ratepayers. The Chairman said that he thought the settlors of Patutabi could expect the sum of .£25 per year, but for that amount they would have to keep the drain clear.

TENDERS. Twotenders were received for the maintenance of the main road from Gisborne Borough boundary to the big bridge for the ensuing year, viz, Mr Eapgood £175, and Brocklebank £2OO. Both tenders wero declined, the Council deciding to undertake the maintenance of the road by day labor. finance. The financial statement showed the Council’s overdraft after allowing for payment of accounts passed that day (£I6OO 2b) to be £6176 Us 10d. ,