HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otaki Mail, Volume 27, 10 November 1919, Page 4

HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

ENGINEER'S REPORT. The County Engineer (Mr J. Malcolm) submitted the following report:— To Horo Riding. - There is nothing doing in this riding but 'maintenance. The main ■ road, though still fairly good, shows signs of weakness in places. I propose next week to try and get it fixed up again. I think it will be better }o take it in time.

. 1 went up the Otaki Gorge on Tuesday for the purpose of traversing and levelling a continuation of the road to give the manager of the Mayinorn Estate a road out and in. It turned out a dreadful day, and I got nothing done. However, I inspected the roadline up to the crossing at the footbridge over the Waiotaura stream where the resident manager lives. This I estimate: to be about 50 chains', and would have been done in normal times for about £3 per chain, but at present I am not sure that you .could get it done for £5. From what I saw when up there, the road should go no further, as it looked as if it would take £2O per chain to make it, and then it is doubtful if we would be able to keep it open—like the last bad section we did. ;

I found the Gorge road in very fair order when I was up. The roadman seems to have done good work since the firewood'carting discontinued. The tarring in the township of Te Iloro has been done, with the exception of the footpath. This they will have to return to do when the traffic has consolidated it a bit more. Otaki Riding. Tho crushing plant is at last finished for this year at least, and the principal Toads arc a pleasure to motor pvcr. I sincerely hope we will be able to keep them so. • When metalling the Convent road a metal dray entirely smashed ono of the -bridges—a 16ft span. I replaced it with a temporary bridge the following i day, the timber for this being bor- | rowed from the big bridge. I propose putting in pipes to take tho place of the bridge. It seems to me that there is little water to go through, except when the Wailohu overflows, and from i what I understand a few chains of banking would stop that. I hear many complaints about the state of Tasmaa road, although no ono has complained directly to me. It is a pity they did not say something before the roller left. The road would bo all | right if it had a few turns with th« I roller and a.few loads of blinding. * In re Mrs Drake's road at Waikawa. beach, I will endeavour to get tenders in for regracling and metalling it at next meeting of the Council. The paddocks will then be sufficiently dry to enable the metal to be carted.

Boadman Phillips reports that the cattle are injuring the watcr-racos at North Manakau. I did not expect anything but sheep, but it seems wc must take what we get. I think now it will be best to pipe it with cheap clay pipes before the dry weather sets in. Wirokino Riding. In this riding there has been nothing done for tho month but metalling. The Wallace roads are now finished, and are very good. I have now got the small teams on the Papaitonga roads, and Winter has commenced on the Foxton and Koputaroa roads with the new waggon and four drays. I would like the Council, or at least the members for this riding, to inspect tho switchback in the Avenue on the Foxton road. I think it would be a pity to scarify and metal it in its present state, as it will be an eyesore for all time if left as it is. If there is any money available I think it should be regraded.

I submit an estimate on a separate sheet for the soldiers' road at the Lower Kuku. It seems wc atc in a strange position with it. On one side it is Crown land that, I understand, wc cannet touch. We. roust take the seven feet from the other side that the Roads Department orders. That will upset Till the drains, etc. I suppose we can rate the occupiers and put them into tho special rating district, although it is Crown land.

I havo got the plans prepared for the roading of the Kawiu Block and the continuation of the Ivawiu road on to the Foxton Toad, and will call tenders for the work as soon as we arc advised that the money is available. Tokomaru Riding.

In the Shannon end of this riding metalling still continues, and will havo to a little longer, as there are still bad roads about. - The erosion at the Shannon-Foxton bridge is not a serious matter. I intended going to see what progress had been made with the protection work yesterday, but could not get away in time. I will, however, see to it on nothing intervenes. I think the Manawatu County Council should be notified at once that wo proposo asphalting the deck of the Shannon-Foxton bridge at once, as the traffic planking is in a state. The roads in the north end are good. We have been busy during the month replacing old wooden bridges with cement pipes. • , The-tenders for the roadman's cottage are due to-day. I would not like to give an estimate as things are at present.