SOOTH OHURA.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 131, 15 February 1909, Page 5

SOOTH OHURA.

(Own Correspondent.)

Work b proceeding at the Mahorahow bridge; Mr Edgar ami hi* party of builders are at work and expect to Aniah in about three weeks. Much ddaj waa caused through the winch for pile driving not coming to hand. It hm been brought out. and work is proceeding. An effort will be male to have the road in Te Kuiti district past the bridge repaired, so that the timber repaired for the tunnel tbroogh the Paorae saddle may be finished. This tunnel is 99ft through from face to face, and the beading has been opened through for some time. At present Mr Denison has a party of men at work enlarging to a height of 18ft in the clear, and a width of ten feet at the roadway. Owing to the papa being broken and the teavage irregular, much trouble is experienced, and it is absolutely necessary that the timber is placed in position at oner, so a-» to prevent the papa slipping. Mr Ceange haa an experinccd and skilled party at work, and trusts to get the work done safely.

Widening work is proceeding along Harvey and Tokorima roads. Harvey road will be widened to 12 feet, but it is said there is not sufficient money to complete the Tokorima road. As the bridge across the Ohura river is now finished, it is a matter of great importance to the settlers that the Tokorima, and road to the Aukopae landing, should be proceeded with at once, aa the settlers wilt now draw their supplies from Taumarunui* via the Wanginai river* Work is proceeding on the Korurau road between the Ohura river and Taumanmui, and in fine weather the trip from Mangaroa to Taumarunui can be done in a day. The sections along the road have all been allotted, and it should be one of the first roads to be formed right through, aa it is the route for all Southern Ohura settlers to the railway.

The settlers are very much surprised at the Roads Department putting a cable bridge across the Ongarue river near Taumarunot. It seems that the cable bridges, so far as the Ohura is concerned, are far from satisfactory; while suitable for stock they are onsatisfactory for waggon traffic. The coat of the bridges is reduced, but it ia questionable if the present saving {» not lost by the permanent disadvantage# to the settlers. If the autho-' ritiea have the belief that the district is to be a permanent one. they •"♦houW build lor the future, not merely for the present. The bridge across the Obura baa very heavy cables, yet the span of 210 feet gives it too much awing to make it suitable for teams to use. The making of a road from Mangaroa to Taumarunui suitable for waggon traffic; and then placing an unsuitable bridge in the middle, seems to thow want of foresight somewhere, and wilt place alt the traffiic from Southern Ohura under a disadvantage. The building of the bridge was no man task for Mr Denison, as, owing to the scarcity of totara in the vicinity, great trouble was caused by having to procure suitable togs from long distances through heavy bush, and very broken country. The cables were carted to Toi Toi bridge, and then conveyed by canoe clown the Ohura river, to the site. It is the largest cable bridge in the district, and connecting Southern Ohora to Taomaronui. will play an important part in the development of the district.