COUNTY WORKS

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 78, 2 September 1938, Page 3

COUNTY WORKS

ENGINEER’S REPORT The county engineer, Air AA r . AA'. Upton, reported as follows at to-day’s meeting of the Opotiki County Council:— ' - ■ ‘ ' 1 - Sundell’s Bridge.—This bridge is 160 feet in length and 4 feet in width designed to carry stock and was built in mini about twenty-four years ago. The legs of the poppets carrying the cables were spliced some few years ago". These with the exception of one are fairly sound. The balance, considering 'the time it lias..been up is very good; however , there are several of the stringers and different parts rotten. I consider about £so' spent on the bridge would keep it suitable to carry sheep for a, few years. To rebuild a similar structure utilising the same fables would . probably cost ahout £6OO.

Crooked Road. —In company with Councillor Alaxwell I inspected- this road. This road is well named, being all “points” and “bends”. There is perhaps one point worse than the rest, if this one is widened about four feet it would be an improvement. One additional culvert should also be put in. The cuivert would cost about £4 and the widening about £2O.

Al ill Stream. —I have inspected this stream from Stoney Creek Bridge to Alatchitt’s bridge. Near Stoney Creek bridge there is a willow on the road reserve that should be taken out. In the following properties there arc blockages by willows across or encroaching on the stream: Kelly’s, Dairy Factory, Alurray’s and Clark’s from tile Cross Road bridge to Alateliitt’s bridge there is very little obstruction but a little cleaning out would be beneficial, especially about two chains below Alatchitt’s bridge where some young willows are growing in the stream. Should some clearing be done by the parties concerned every year it would not be very long before the whole stream is clear.

Greek Through Cemetery.—ln company with the riding members I inspected the above. It was considered that if the part through the cemetery was cleared of rubbish it would release the water from the culvert across the road.

AA'aiotahi A'allcv Road Bridge.—l have arranged with Al‘r F. G. Alaliy to build this bridge, the price of the construction ivitli the cost- ot the material will be a little above the estimate and about £lO below the tender.

Omarumutu Road Grant £630 Free. —The above grant has been received for reforming and metalling the above road. I. would suggest that-the reforming be done by day labour and that a contract be let for the gravelling. The district engineer is willing that tins be done.

Government Grants.—lt would appear that tlie following metalling grants have been voted and I would ask Council’s instruction with reference to the expenditure of the same. Woodlands Dip Road £l3O (£2 for £1), Keen’s Road £”3 (£2 for £1), Paerata Ridge Road (J. Shove’s) £IOO (£2 for £1), Pile’s Road £loo' (£2 for £1), Reeve’s Road £I.BO (£2 for £1), Pierrepeint’s Bridge £l-30 (£1 for £1).

Works Carried Out. —On the Upper Waioeka Road a 12-inch hardwood culvert has been put in, a. washout filled in, and slips and timber removed from the road.

Slips have been cleared on the Wairata, Wainta, Pakilii, Irvine’s, Reeve’s and Takaputnhi Roads.’ A nine-inch diameter concrete culvert lias been put in on the Ruatuna Road, replacing a decayed wooden one. A decayed wooden culvert on Toone’s Road is being replaced with a concrete pipe culvert. A narrow part oif Irvine’s Road lias been widened to allow traffic to pass safely. On Gabriel’s Gully Road a nine inch diameter concrete pipe culvert lias been put in.

Gravelling repairs have been done on Reeve’s, Gabriel’s Gully, Otara, Woodlands. Wainwa, and Oliiwa roads. The grader has worked on the Waiawa Block Access Road, Gaskill’s, Ohiwa and Fpper Otara Roads. The planer lias worked oh the Opo-tiki-Whakatane, Waiawa and Woodlands Roads.

Pakjhi Bridge.—l attach herewith copy of letter received- from the District Engineer with reference to the above.

Lorry.—The lorry is being overhauled, new liners and piston are being fitted, springs set up and general overhaul.