REPORTS.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4913, 8 October 1884, Page 2

REPORTS.

The County Surveyor reported for the month as follows :—" Hastings Eidiag : The contractor for clearing slips on Tapa road is proceeding fairly with the work, and has given notice of completion, but I have not yet had an opportunity of going over the work. I have examined. the Tapu Creek road with a view to the expenditure of the one hundred and sixty (£160) pounds available for that road, and am of opinion that the whole of the money should be spent in clearing slips metalling, with the exception of about ten pounds (£10), which should be used in widening and improving road to Tapu Mint ground. I have communicated with the Goldfields' Department on the subject, and as soon as authority is given tenders will be called for the" work. Waiotahi

Hiding: Men have been employed during the month on the Moanntairi, Waiotahi, and Collarbone roads in clearing slips and effecting repairs. Kauaeranga Riding: In the more thickly populated portions of this ridiDg, roads, footpaths, and culverts have been repaired and maintained during the month, and a considerable amount of work has been done in clearing slips and rendering fit for - dray traffic the roads up the ELaraka and Hape Creek. Parawai Riding: A few men have been employed during the month in clearing drains and water channels, and repairing roads and footpaths. Totara Riding: Metal on main road has had all the ruts drawn in, and new metal put on where requisite. Water courses, drains, and water-tables have been cleared, and the worst portions of the unmetalled road repaired. Specifications , have been prepared for future maintenanoe of that portion of the main road between the Kauaeranga and Puriri bridges, and I would recommend the let* ting of the same in two sections. I would recommend that tenders be called for draining and forming the flat portions of the road from Puriri township to landing, as this road is much used by settlers in the district. After draining and forming is completed, and the road has consolidated, tenders might be called for Bhingling the worst portions.—l beg to recoinj| mend that the Otunui Soad be cleared of slips, and the metal now broken out be spread on the road. An expenditure of about fifty pounds (£SO) would render the road fit for resuming carting to the battery." The following is the report of the Foreman of Works for the Ohinemuri Riding: " During the past month the roads in this riding have dried up greatly. Men have been kept on repairing the worst portions ; the metal throughout is standing well. The Rotokohu Gorge on Te Aroha road is very rough in places; I would recommend that stone be broken at those places, and spread, as it would keep the- earth from washing away. The Katikati road is in very good condition, excepting the bosh portion between Mackaytown and Te Rahu; it will be necessary now to level it, &c, to make it fit for wheel traffic. The dray road to Jfarangahake is not in good condition, and as the traffic is increasing, about £5 could be spent to advantage. One of the greatest inconveniences in the district is the horrible state of the Junction road. Goods are frequently landed here, and have often to be taken up to Paeroa in a small boat, as it is impossible to get a dray down by removing one of the fences on to the surveyed line (about 15 chains), and a little repairs to the road would make it fit for traffic, and at a very small cost. The Thames road is in very good condition.-* Alex. Aitken, County Engineer."