TE KARAKA BRIDGE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2217, 22 October 1907, Page 2

TE KARAKA BRIDGE.

AN ADVERSE REPORT.

The Engineer reported as follows to the Cook County Council yesterday : lteport re bridges, Pull a- and Rangatira : With regard to the proposal- to raise funds for bridging the Waipaoa river at Rangatira and Pulia fords, I have the honor to report as follows : Ranigaiira crossing, near Te ICaraka: At this proposed site the river Iras a straight course between well defined banks; in the bed the papa rock underlays the shinglo at a comparatively shallow depth, namely, from 1 to 8 feet. The bridge would bo 300 feet in length in throe spans resting on piers o: concrete and timber; cost, exclusive of land, £4450. Pulia crossing: At this site the river bed extends' for about 1600 feet, consisting of silt and shingle. No well defined banks except on south side. The papa rock is at about 10 to 15 feet from .tlies urface. The sketch herewith shows a bridge of 1075 feet, with an embanked approach of 400 feet-. Providing the river kejrt to the presentc liannel, or say, within five .chains of it, the proposed bridge would be safe and suitable, and could bo constructed for £II,BBO but there is no guarantee that the stream may not alter to the course it- took 6omo 15 years ago, when, I am informed, it ran under the high terrace on the north-west side. Should this again occur, the bridge, as per sketch, would be entirely cut off. In my opinion, the site of Pulia is not suitable for bridging within reasonable limits, and I cannot recommend its adoption. I was, when at Te Ivaraka, taken round by Messrs. Pettie and Lewis to what was stated to be a suitable site, some 60 chains further up stream. At this point the actual bed of the river was much narrower than at Palm crossing, but the banks were low. subject to considerable erosion, and under water at times of flood. I did not consider that any advantage would be gained hv considering this site. 1 am of opinion that to bridge this river' a 'site would have to be looked for some considerable distance further up stream, say, beyond Roke’s mill; hut, as in the event of a suitable site being found, it would also entail the laying off and constructing of several miles of new road through Rangatira property. I have not gone further into the matter in that direction.

Jt was decided to send a copy of the report to the Te Ivaralca committee, which lias charge of the m utter.