WAITOMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 662, 22 April 1914, Page 6

WAITOMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

ENGINEER'S REPORT. Since laßt meeting the weather has not been very favourable for road works, consequently progress on the various contracts has been somewhat retarded. On the Potaka road, Mr ( Lewis has had for the last two or three weeks, only about 13 chains to complete his metalling contract, but the river has been too high to get the balance of metal required, However, a few days of fine weathler should give him that opportunity. On the Miroahuiao to Matiere road, Mr Smythe has completed his first metalling contract between Pio Pio and the Wairere bridge, and has also delivered about 500 cubic yards of metal for repairing Wallace's bill near the Aria creamery. Tenders were invited during the month for metalling a further distance of 35 chainß from the end of Smythe's contract on thia road and that of L. Garmson at 6s 4d per cubic yard was accepted. On the Te KuitiAwakino road, south of Pio Pio a few chains of metalling is being done to complete the metalling of the hill near the 18-iuile peg, which during wet weather is impassable for wheel traffic. On the Mangaotaki road tenders were invited during the month for widening a distance of 60 chains west of the Mangaotaki bridge and that of Mr A. Hogg, the lowest tenderer, was accepted. Tenders were also invited during the month for the supply and delivery of metal for metalling a distance of one and a-half miles on the Mangakowhai road. Several tenders were received, but' that of J. Todd, at 6s 8d per cubic yard, being the lowest, was accepted. On the South Mairoa road plans and specifications of a metalling contract extending a distance of two and three-quarter miles from Pio Pio, are now bsing prepared. As soon bb the plans are approved by th 9 Public Works Department tenders for the work will be invited. On the Hautuiu road tenders were called for the supply and delivery of metal for metalling a distance of 70 chains, the lowest tender, that of Mr H. Rothery at 7s per «.übic yard, was accepted. On the Piikoaruhe road, Mr Inness has a contract a distance of one and three-quarter miles. About 50 chains has now been complet ed, and given fine weather conditions the remainder should be done this season. On the Waiteti road, Mr Hoffman has completed about 95 chains of metalling, but owing to the state of the road, is unable to do any more at present. An engineering survey has been made and plans are now being prepared for extending the dray road formation on this road as far as Gillander's section, a distance of 61 chains. Tenders for the work will bfi invited as soon as plans are completed. On the Hangatiki-Waitomo road Mr Lawson, during the month, completed his metalling contract. There is now a metalled road from Hangatiki railway Btation to the Ruakura Caves, a distance of seven and a-quarter miles. On the Caves road, Messrs Tarry and Co. have now metalled a distance of about one and a-balf miles, leaving about 60 chains to be done to complete their contract. In connection with Ryan'3 contract on this road no metalling has been done lately, but I hope as soon as weather permits to get another start. The crusher and engine which was in use on Lawson's contract has been hauled up and placed in position, and I am also getting Powell's crusher repaired so that everything that can be done is being done. No metal, however, can be put on the road in its present muddy state. On the Mangaorino road Mr Hoffman has now metalled a distance of about 70 chains. Dur ing the last fortnight very little has been done owing to the Btate of the weather. With regard to the Waipa river bridge works on the Kawa road, Messrs Scott and Forsyth have almost completed their contract, there being now only the hand rails and traffic planking to fix. This bridge is built almost entirely of Australan hardwood, and is the longest bridge in the County. The total length is 340 feet and includes 11 spans. The deck level is about 40 feet above normal water level. Plans of the necesary approaches were forwarded to the Public Works Department, Auckland, about six weeks ago for approval, but authority for the work has not yet been issued. Plans and specifications for metalling the Otorohanga-Otewa road have been approved by the Public Works Department, and tenders for thre contracts have been invited. On the Kawhia-Pirongia road near Te Rauamoa, a distance of three and a-half chains was metalleu during the month. A small quantity of metal was also carted out and spread on the Otorohanga-Piiongia, Turitea and Ngutunui roada, —E. R. Gould, County Engineer.