COUNTY COUNCIL.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4547, 1 August 1883, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

The following report was laid on the table at this afternoon's meeting .— To the Board of Works, Thames County Council. Gentlemen, —I hare the honor to make the following report on roads and work* in the County:— The storms and large.rainfall that occurred during the mouth of July has done Tery considerable damage to Couaty roads. On the Thames, Tapu, and Waikawan roads and on the Hastings and Mercury Bay road a Tery large number of slip* hare occurred by whioh they hare been rendered impassable for traffic. In the Waiotahi, Karafca, and Hape creeks the damage done has been considerable and men should be employed at once to clear slips any effect repairs. ' In the Parawai district the bridge at the Bob Boy has been partially carried away, and it is now impassable for dray traffic. The catting at Rewai's hill is in a Tery bad state, but until fine weather sets in nothing can be do >c for it unless a large expenditure is incurred. In accordance with the instructions of the Council I have examined that portion of the road leading up the Kauaeranga Valley between the booms and the cherry grove, and am of opinion. that as long as the booms are in use the portion of the rosd referred to will bo subject to damage every time there is a flood in the Kauaeranga. During the last heavy flood the road was covered in places to a depth of about seTen "feet, and when the flood subsided the roadway was blocked with logs. The Shortlaud Saw* mill Company, when requested to do so, cleared the logs off the roadway, but all, the drains and water-channels being blocked up by debris the road is in consequence still iv a rery bad state, and almost impassable. - On the Otunui road large slips hare oc* ourred, blookirg the road and doing considerable damage. The contract now being carried out on tbis road is being executed under Tery dieadvantageoue circumstances,- the weather* being altogether unfit for work of this kind. Large slips have occurred on portions of the road completed by the contractor, whioh will hate to be removed voder the 'contract at considerable cost. '■'

On the Ohiaemuri main road msn hare been employed during the month in rendering passable the wont portions of the road, but until the road is metalled it cannot be ex« pectei to be fit for winter traffic.

The roads in the Ohinemuri Biding have in many places been seriously damaged I>y the recent floods, and more men should be env ployed in clearing slips and keeping the road open during the incoming month. The contractor for widening and metalling a portion of the road between Mackaytown and Owharoa has again been unfortunate, several large slips entirely blocking up tbe road where it had been widened ti the specified width. ' In Paeroa footpaths have been formed to Catholic Chapel and Government School, and as soon as roads are fit for carting, these and the other footpaths of the township should receive a coatiog of cement.—Alix. Aitkbk, County Surveyor. .* T

To the Water Race Committee, Thames County is-,. .V;:".' ' Council. •• . ; .X .' I Gentlemen,—The storm and floo Jof 23th qf July was the cause of a large amount of damage to the Thaajes Water Bace and its branches. No great damage was done to any ef the trestle work or flaming, but the other portions of the Race were blacked up by numerous slips, some of them of averyextensi ye character. The foreman: and other men employed were out on the Bace when the storm w«s at its worst, and promptly turned the water, out of the race at the head works and at the several waste weirs and sluise gates, thus avoiding damage from overflow. No time wts lost in repairing damages to main race, the water being turned bat of the Race for four days only. Repairs are now being effected on the branch races, without which the main race cannot be kept running full when tb» water in the main creek is low.—AtlxtlTOlß Aitken, County Surveyor. J