WAITOMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 652, 18 March 1914, Page 3

WAITOMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

ENGINEER'S REPORT. The metalling of the Potaka road is now complete for a distance of 2 miles 8 chains, leaving only another 45 chains to be done. As the remaining portion i*r on a short lead, this contract should be completed at an early date if weather permits.- On the Tutoro road Messrs Hickson and West completed their metalling con-tra-1 during the month and, a good solid oad has been laid down. In order to have a fair depth of metal and keep the cost of the work within the limits of the amount available it was decided to put down a close layer of large spawls and cover it with six inches of rubble rock. As the latter materia/ is much harder than is obtained in other parts of the district, it does not readily break up and consolidate. However> this is no detriment: I propose keeping a surfaceman on for two or three rnonthß napping the largest stones and doing the necessary maintenance work required on a newly-metalled road. On the Mairoahuiao Matiere road between Pio Pio and the Wairere bridge, Mr Smyth is doing good work, metalling some of the worst places. The contract which covers a distance of 50 chainß, should be finished in a few days. Quarrying and other preliminary work on this road in connection with the metalling of Heard's and' Wallace's hills, near Aria, is also in hand. On thd Mangaotaki road .Mr McDonald has completed bis metalling contract, which comprised the metalling of portions of thiß road which hitherto were impassable except during the summer months. Plans and specifications have also been prepared for widening about 60 chains of this road west of the-Man-gaotaki bridge, and tenders for the work are now being invited. In connection with the Pungarehu metalling scheme plans and specifications of a contract for metalling 3. miles 30 chains on the Pungarehu road, and 1 mile 40 chains on the Maire road were returned approved by the Public Works Department. Immediately on receipt of same tenders for the work were invited. A considerable number of pips culverts are also now being put in on the Pungarehu road. On the Ngapaenga road Mr Rothery has almost completed his metalling contract, which, I think, will be the beat piece of limestone metalling yet done in the county. The stone is of good quality and well laid on a properly graded foundation. The total distance included in this contract is 2 miles 75 chains. Plana, etc., have been prepared for straightening and metalling a distance of 70J chains on the Hauturu r«ad and forwarded to the Public Works Department for approval. Plans, etc., are also being prepared for widening and metallnig a portion of;the Waipapa road. The Arapae road, including the Te KuitiTe Kumi portion, is now metalled throughout and generally speaking a fairly decent job has been made. The total distance metalled is 15 miles. The other works carried out on this road under the loan included three bridges and 106 chainß of formation. As there will be a considerable amount of traffic en this road I propose putting on a permanent surfaceman and in v, reasonable way do what i'b necessary to keep the road in a proper state of repair On the Wait«ti road Mr Hoffman has started metalling aid so far has completed about 30 chains. The metalling of the Hangatiki-Waitomo road is now nearing completion, there being only 18 chains left to be done. On t'ue Caves road Messrs Tarry and Co. havo completed about 70 chains of metalling. Given fair weather conditions this contract should be completed before your next meeting. I regret, however, that owing to a breakdown in the crusher, C. 3. Ryan's metalling contract on this road has been hung up for a few days'. However, I will do all I can to get the work going with as little delay as possible. A distance of about 41 chains is yet to be done. The metalling of the Mangaoiino toad iB proceeding slowly, a distance of about 50 chains now being completed. Considerable delay is being experienced owing to shortage of railway trucks, etc., in getting the metal from Otorohanga for this work. The metalling of the Hauturu to Otorohanga road was completed during the month. The total length of this road is 10 miles, a distance of 128 chains being completed this bummer. On the Otorohanga-Pirongia road a distance o f 19 chains, in two patches, where the road usuallyis bad in wet weather, was metalled during tne month. In connection with the Waipa bridge work, Messrs Scott and Forsyth have all the piles driven, and nine of the stringer spans practially completed. Plans, etc., have been prepared of the necessary approaches to this bridge and forwarded to the Public Works Depattmnt for approval. As soon as the necessary authority is issued tenders for the work will be invited. In regard to the Otewa, Kio Kio and Ouruwhero metalling schemes plans were forwarded to the Public Works Department over three weeks ago, but have not yet been returned. As soon as they are tenders will be immediately called and the various contracts got under way.—E. R Gould, County Engineer.