RANGITIKEI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 3 October 1917, Page 2

RANGITIKEI COUNTY COUNCIL.

THE ENGINEER’S MONTHLY REPORT. The Engineer to the Rangitikei County Council’s report for September is as follows: Winter weather in the early part of the month gave W£py to splendid drying days and a great improvement is everywhere noticeable. Tekapua Riding.—Roads have dried up considerably and repairs are in hand as far ag the limited labour available will permit. Good progress feas been made with formation works on Otaihape Valley and Baird’s roads, Taihape. Awarua Riding.—Roads in this riding suffered more than any other part of the County during the winter, but have dried up splendidly lately. However, a lot of maintenance is required to put them in even fair order. If labour for stone breaking is obtainable I propose shortly to commence with the roller and reform the metal on Main Road between Utiku and Manui. As directed I have Inspected the Kawhatau and Hikurangi rivers on Rangitane Road with a view to erecting stock bridges. The Hikurangi will require a bridge of 140 feet span, the work being wholly in the Kiwitea County and of service 'to a large Kiwitea ratepayer a s well as to Rangitikei settlers. The Kawhatau will require a bridge 170 feet span and will only directly serve Rangitikei ratepayers. Recognising that in the near future it will be necessary to have cart traffic bridges the settlers only at present require semi-temporary provision for crossing sheep and horsemen. I therefore propose to erect two light suspension bridges with a deck width of four using some of the Dunedin cables for the ropes and heart of rimu for the superstructure timber, etc. These should be good for such time as to when it will warrant erecting permanent bridges, and prices of materials have returned to normal again. The proposed structures I estimate will cost £SOO at present prices. As a result of negotiations with Mr Chas McKinnon he has agreed to waive half the compensation asked for severance in taking the Toetoe Road Extension through his property. I would recommend this be accepted by Council. Erewhon Riding. —Roads have dried up splendidly and should shortly be in good order. The Wainui-Moawhango Road is much out of repair hut so far no teams have been obtainable for carting repair metal.

General. —As directed I have prepared preliminary drawings of the proposed Onepuhi Bridge and sent a copy to the Minister for Public Works The final returns for the grass-seed on County roads for last season show that £94 Is was received for deposits and £143 5s 4d for seed sold'or a total of £237 6s 4d. ' Owing to the high prices ruling for cocksfoot seed numerous enquiries are being made for the coming season’s cutting rights and I anticipate even better results this season than last.