County Engineer's Report.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 14 April 1913, Page 4

County Engineer's Report.

The County Engineer (Mr James Malcolm) submitted the following report :— Tc Horo Riding. In this riding all the roads aro in fair condition at the present tirao and while tho weather continues good, but contracts should bo put in hand at once for maintenance metalling. This applies to all ridings. The Ngatiawa bridge construction is still dragging along vory slowly. The last report I got (yesterday) is that it will lie finished next week. I suppose 1 can safely give it another week. 1 'have got plans approved for the rcgrading and widening of the Te Horo to Mangaono Valley road, and I propose inviting tenders at once for the work. The tenders can be dealt with by the members for the riding. TTTo metalling of tho roads on tho Gear Estate is now completed. I am getting the Te Horo Beach road repaired and fixed up now when tho teams are camped on the ground. I will also try to get the filling required 'by the store done when tho teams are at To Horo. 1 have not heen able to get a man to undertake the fencing of the Gorge road ; it requires a more skilful man than the ordinary fencer, and T want it done well; thenco tho difficulty in getting a man. Otaki Riding. The roads adjoining the township are in fair order, but in the north end, from Manakau creamery to tho "Waikawa, they are much in want of metal. Tho bridge over the Manakau stream by the creamery is now completed, and ie much appreciated by travellers. I would have got tho culvert in by the sale-yard's gate at Manakau before this time, but cannot get pipes dry enough to be moved from Masterton. Wirikino Hiring. The timber work of the Muhunoa West road bridge is now completed. T expect to be able to get at the approaches on Monday, then tho fencing will follow. The formation of the Buller roads is now completed, and I expect tho metalling will be done by next meeting. Very good progress has been made with the mot-ailing of \thc Wallacp road deviation; it should be finished in another fortnight, if the weather keeps good. The formation of the Roalyn road is now completed, and I would strongly recommend that the metalling of it be put in hand at once; the greater part o fthc traffic towards Shannon is now over this road, and it will be pulled to pieces when the wet weather comes if it is not metalled. 1 think Middleton awl Smith, the surveyors, should be instructed to prepare plans of the extension of the Tararua road, through the properties of Messrs Hannan and Harris's successor the native, even if we are not ready to form it wo might as well get it dedicated.

The. Horowhenua lake has been lowered by 'Messrs Ryder and the other land owners interested by about two feet. Tt has been decided to adjourn operations until tho end of the month so as not to interfere with the eel fishing, but then, if the weather is suitable, I propose to got the weirs removed, and will try and lower it another foot. Tho lake will thou be about its original level.

Tokoniaru Riding. A suitable tender has been received au dacceptod for the maintenance metal required in tho southern end of this riding, and it is all to be carried on eight-inch tyres, The work of laying \\j will be started as soon as the wide tyres arrive in Shannon. it may be necessary to call fresh tenders for the metalling in the northern end. If it is they can bo dealt with by the members tor tho riding. The difficulty is the width of tyres and the small amount of the northern contract. The timber for the pound is now on the ground. .1 will call tenders for its erection next week. The Valley residents have got clear of the sawmill tramway at last. The trimming of the formation was not quite satisfactorily done when I was there about- a week ago, but it may be now. I will try and inspect it early next week. The Mangaoro road and track are getting on well. I think the road contract will be finished next week. T shall try and got the men started to widen and fix up the Heights road next week. It is in a dangerous state. Vaikanae Bridge Traffic Planking. At the March mooting of the Hutt County Council some very unkind remarks were made about our neglect to renew the traffic planking on this bridge. You will doubtless remember tbat at tho February meeting of the council I brought this matter up in my report, and then stated that the work required doing, but as there was other more import-tint work to lie done first, it would have to take its turn. I may say now that tho bridge has never been at any time dangerous. It is true there is one or two holes worn through the traffic planking, hut as the traffic planking was only two inches thick to begin with, and had in all caseH a three inch plank underneath, you will readily see there could ho no dangor. T have now got the planking and intend sending the carpenters to it on Monday, when I hope all will be satisfied. At the same time it is a pity to get up such scares. Several motorists came and asked mo if it was safe to cross.

The report was adopted, with the proviso noted regarding the road through Mr Hannan's property.