COUNTY WORKS.

Shannon News, 20 March 1928, Page 3

COUNTY WORKS.

acting-engineer reports,

The reports of the acting-engineer to the Horowhenua County Council (Mr. A. R. Callander), on work carried out during February, weie presented as follows, on Saturday to the monthly meeting of the Council: — Main Highways. No. 1 Highway. Waikunac River to Otaki River Scction.—Good progress is being maintained with the laying of bitununous penetration course on thio lengt'i bet vecn Waikanae and Te Horo. At the beginning of the month an accident occurred to the sprayer, the end fittings being blown out. After about a week’s delay, a new sprayer, purchased in Auckland, was in operation again. The old sprayer has also- been repaired and returned. During the unavoidable delay, advantage was taken of the opportunity to repair rather extensive pot-hoi-ing which had occurred in the foundation course and to trim up shoulders and dumps, and also to dean up hoopiron, etc.; on the length. It will be necessarv to crush about 1000 cubic yards of clean two inch metal to complete penetration on this length. Accordingly, No, 4 crusher has been restarted and crushed metal is being carted directly on to the road. Otaki River to Alanakau Stream.— The deviation at D’Ath’s is now open to traffic. The old road surface has been scarified and the metal so obtained. spread on the deviation. The metalling carried out has been well - rolled, advantage having been taken of the recent rain in this connection. , The deviation will require careful attention during the winter. The contract for earthworks in connection with . deviation at Bcvan’s is completed, a satisfactory job having been carried out. A gang has commenced work regrading shoulders to formation level in anticipation of a commencement being made with laying of penetration course. A power grader has regularly patrolled, the foundation course on this length also. Alanakau Stream to Levin.—This length of road is in good order and has required very little attention. Lengths of gravel road at railway crossings have been regularly raked in with power grader. The main road bridge jver the Kuku Stream has needed a good deal of attention lately. \ Levin to Wirokino Bridge. —This length is at present in fair order. A power grader has been over the ful length regularly throughout the month. The recent rains have benefited tne condition of this road slightly. Lupins have been trimmed in the sand cutting just south, of Waitafcerc. Road junction. No. 60 Highway. ■

Levin to Waoku Stream section. —As usual this road is in good order and has required very little attention. An old timber box culvert carrying watei /ace under road near the intersection of Queen Street and Arapaepae Road, has given some trouble lately and. it is proposed to replace same with reinforced concrete pipes. Waoku Stream to Shannon.—This road is in quite good order. A power grader lias patrolled the length at frequent intervals and has done good work. Shannon to Alakerua. —This length has received attention from a power grader and also from light grader. It s in fair condition, though the surface :s very dry. Alakehia to Tokomaru- River. —This section is in very good order still, and las bedn regularly patrolled with light grader. Where necessary, patching has been’carried out.. Tokomaru River to Northern Boundary.—The old drain at the southern end of flat near the boundary has been filled in'and the" old bridge removed. This length has been graded in regularly and patched - where necessary. Riding Matters.

Tokomaru—A new culvert has been installed at the foot of big cutting on Pretoria Road and a short cut carried out to improve both inlet and outlet to same. Aleitalling on the flat as requested by Air. Liggins, will bo carried out shortly. Work on the Otauru Road bridge over Alangaore Stream is proceeding steadily. The south abutment pier has now been completed and work is well in hand in connection with' the erection of superstructure. Some patching has been carried out on district roads.

Wirokino Riding.—Routine maintenance work, such as patching, clearing water tables and culverts, etc., has been carried out on various district roads throughout the Riding. A fairly bad leak in the main water race near Air. Gore’s property, was repaired. The usual cleaning and regulating of water races has been carried out. Scrub, etc., on Hokio Beach Road is being cleared. The metalling of Ohau West Road extension has been commenced.

Otaki. —This Riding is in fair order at present. Some patching has been done to Manakau township roads, while Manakau North and Waikawa Beach roads have received attention from the surfaceman. Lupins have been trimmed on Waikawa Beach Road also.

Te Horo. —This Riding is also in fair repair. Surfacemen have regularly attended to various district roads and water tables and culverts have been cleared. A power grader has patrolled the lower portion of Otaki Gorge Road. Ngarara drains are being cleaned. Cleaning and regulating of the Hautere water race system has been carried out regularly. Wandering Stock. Ranger’s report. —The ranger reports having impounded since last meeting, nine head of wandering stock.