COUNTY ENGINEER'S REPORT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8357, 13 February 1907, Page 3

COUNTY ENGINEER'S REPORT.

The following report was submitted to the meeting of the Masterton County Council, yesterday, by the County Engineer:— Opaki Riding.—Black Creek Road, •contract No. 122, building a platform bridge, has been satisfactorily completed. The earthwork approaches are yet to be made, and will cost, approximately, £3. Oaks' Estate Streets, contract No. 101. The metalling of the above streets has been completed. The settlers would greatly appreciate the gravelling and improving of about 10 chains of footpath connecting the western end of the Estate streets with the Upper Plain Road; this length of road is very low lying, and is practically inaccessible in winter to pedestrians. Tenders for painting the Ruamahanga suspension bridge have been called for. acceptance at this meeting. Opaki District Road (£6OO loan and grant). As the authority tor the Government grant was only received yesterday, no steps have yet been taken to let the work. Piatt's Road: Preparations are being made to commence metalling on the above road. Te Whiti Riding. —Waingawa bridge protective works: Satisfactory progress is,being made with the ' construction of the main groins and the bulk of the stone has been carted for the protective boulder stop j bank. Columba Road, contract No. . 121, 19& chains of formation let to Mr Andrew. He" informs me that he will be. present to start on the 13th instant. Te Ore Ore Estate Roads : Two dangerous, rough timber bridges on drain crossings have been aubsiituted by concrete pipes. Rangitumau Riding.—Wangaehu Road, contract No. 74, 100 chains of metalling and 140 cubic yards of repairs, has been completed with the exception of some stone breaking which the contractor agrees to carry out during his maintenance. Contract No. 118, 31 chains of metalling, completed on the sth instant, is under maintenance. Kaka-amu Valley Road (Government grant £150): As ' the settlers anticipated this vote was for the purpose of strengthening the existing metal length. I invited tenders and simultaneously sent a specification for approval to the District Road Engineer, .who has since visited the ground and written declaring that, as a length of the road is unmtftalled, the vote, in his opinion, was intended for that purpose, and he asks that specifications may be prepared for the same. Upper Taueru Riding.—Glendonald Wairere Road: Contract No. 103, building a bridge over the Taueru River. The contractor is making good headway; practically the whole of the ironwork and timber is on the ! ground; The centre pier is driven to a satisfactory foundation of between 16ft and 17ft, and the building x>f the trusses is well on the way. Te I Ore Ore-Bideford Road: I beg to [ direct the-Council's attention to the i unsafe condition for heavy traffic of four small bridges on this line be- , tween mile pegs 7 and 13, two 28ft span trusses and two platform. The platform spans may be supported by struts at a small cost to last three or four years; but the trusses should be replaced as early as possible. I have had the weights limited to five tons on the weaker structure. Wainuioru Riding. MastertonWaimata Road contract No. getting and delivering 1,640 cubic . yards of road metal for repairs; The contractors are on the ground starting work, and are well equipped for progress. I would ask authority to substitute, by concrete pipes and embankment, the truss bridge at mile peg 7, that the work may be completed before the next summer's heavy traffic and that provision be made for the same when framing the estimates for next year; approximate cost, £125. Stronvar Road: The bridge at the flaxmill has been reconstructed, four strong totara stringers supplied, the abutments strengthened, and a new deck of red birch put on. Authority has been received for the expenditure of £250, for building a bridge over the Patanui Stream. Alfredton Riding. AlfredtonWeber Road: Tawataia - Alfredton section, contract No. 115, delivering 700 cubic yards of metal. Good progress has been made since the contractor started. Alfredton to Tiraumea section, contract No. 93, supplying 500 cubic yards (more or less) of metal for repairs, was completed last month. Rakariui section, contract No. 102, 25 chains of metalline with burnt papa: When I visited the contract on the 6th instant, I found that the contractor had covered the ground, including a chain extra as arranged, but I was disappointed to 'find that the north five chains had been laid with a 6-inch layer, the kilns having fallen short of their estimate. The material had been well burned, but had not been broken to the specified gauge, and many of the large pieces had been kicked over the bank by traffic. I have directed the contractors to properly break and put the metal in position during their maintenance month. Hutewai Road, contract No. 105, 35 chains of reformation and metalling: The contractors are on the ground, • and have made a start with their work. Flat Bush Road, contract No. 90, 60 chains of formation and bridging, has been completed, and taken off the contractor's hands. Pori Road, contract No. 119, 90 chains ■of metalling, etc: The contractors went on to the ground on the sth . instant with four well-equipped teams, and will, I feel sure, make good progress. Mount Baker Road, 103 chains of metalling: I regret to report that I have been unable to get the contractor to start the work, although he has made several promise!? to do so. I fear that it will be too late this season to undertake the work, as the length of . haulage is about six miles.