ENGINEER'S REPORT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 20, 31 October 1879, Page 2

ENGINEER'S REPORT.

During the month I have had more than the usual amount of work to do in preparing contracts, inspecting works, and visiting the road lines on which you instructed me to report at this meeting. No. 1 Ward. I have set out and prepared plans and specifications for formation of Wilson's line of road, formation and metalling Lee's line of road, drain at Sandon,grading Cemetery road — Sandon, and clearing scrub from road line leading from Cemetery at Sandon to Mount Stewart. For these works tenders have been invited. The contract for formation and metalling Wilson's line of road, the contractors state, is finished I intend to inspect this work in the course of a few days. When I last visited this contract, they were getting on well with the formation. Fagan's line. — I cannot report so favorably of this coutract The contractors were not carrying the work out satisfactorily. I warned them about the manner of cutting the side ditches. Bailey's line of road is finished, but before the cheque for this and Wilson's line are handed over to contractors, I wish to visit and finally inspect the works. Frecklington's line. — The contractors are pushing on with the bush felling. Frecklington has finished his mild in a satisfactory manner. After the bush is down, there must be some work done to this road line before it will be passable, as in one case a small lagoon will have to be crossed by either a bank or timberwork ; but this can be seen better after the bush is cleared away. On Speedy's line the bush felling is finished. No. 2 Ward. The contractor for River Bank Road has

started his work. On the date I visited the ground there were four men and two horses at work, with plough and scoop ; the construction of the culverts is also being proceeded with. I have prepared plans and specifications for the additional work on this road authorised at last meeting. Oa my visiting Hickford's road line I found that the bush had not been felled on a half-chain wide of the road for a distance of 36 chains. It appears the contractors who took the bush felling from Mr Dawson, fell the bush a half chain on road line, and a half chain on private property, leav ing the other half chain of road line stand ing. For this I have called tenders, as it would be impossible, without extra expense, to set out this road for formation as per your instructions. I have, however, prepared plans and specifications for 24 chains of formation, being the length between the formed road and the standing bush. I arranged with Mr Hickford to scrub and form about 3 chains of the bad swamp leading to this line of road. While I was staking out the work, no less than 4 horses crossed, and in each case they sunk above their knees; in fact it was dangerous to cross at all, and the only wonder is that no accidents have occurred. I inspected Helem's Road line and submit an approximate estimate for forming the first 50 chains leading from Mount Stewart. I also submit an approximate estimate for foundation on Waitui and Taipo line of road. Mr M'Donald has asked that another 80 chains of fencing may be done on the Waitiu and Taipo Road lines, also, that the 80 chains that he has put up be paid for, or another 80 chains be erected on Waitui and Taipo Roads (in all 160 chains.) No. 3 Ward. I have let a small contract for repairs to Avenue Road at Foxton to H. Wilson. This amount is balance of vote from County Council for repairs to this road line.