MASTERTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9088, 13 May 1908, Page 3

MASTERTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

ENGINEER'S REPORT.

The County Engineer submitted the following report to the Masterton County Council yesterday: Opaki Riding.—Golf Links Road. Contract No. 174, forming and metalling 9.33 chains of roads, has been duly completed. Matahiwi Road.—Contract No. 163, delivering 500 cubic yards of metal, is complete and taken off the contractor's hands. Loop Line.—Contract No. 143, 16 chains of reformation and metalling. The above has been finished, together with five chains extra, the extension being authorised by the representatives for the riding. Ruamahanga Protective Works. —The river is making n direct set on the western bank immediately above the upstream groi.n. To prevent a further erosion of the bank, it will be necessary to put in a small butt groin and some willow work. Waingawa to Camp Road.—Contract No., 162, delivering 1,260 cubic yards of metal for repairs. Carting operations were started on the 24th ultimo; 500 odd yards have been delivered. Te Whiti Riding.—Masterton-Wai-mata Road. Diver's Corner to Taueru, section. —Contract No. 165, delivering 1,270 cubic yards of metal for repairs. The first three miles have been completed from the Mas-? terton end, the contractor is now engaged on the Ion:* haul from the Taueru. Weraiti Road. Contract No. 155, 110 chains of metalling. About 29 chains of metal, on above contract, was laid on the 20th ultimo, when the contract time for completion expired. The weather has since, however, been too unfavourable to proceed with the work on that class of soil, and I requested the contractor to cease carting. I beg to suggest to the Council the advisability of letting a short length of about 10 or 15 chains of metalling east of the present contract towards the saddle, between now and the metalling season, with the main object of testing the quality of some limestone mstal on the frontage of the proposed length; the sample on the surface appears promising. Te Ore Ore Estate Road.—Contract No 169, delivering 250 cubic yards of metal for repairs, was completed nt the end of last month, with 167 cubic yards of metal extra on extension and branch roads. A culvert 3 feet by 3 feet by. 25 feet, at Watson's old homestead, has been built ;'and put in position as authorised at last meeting. Masterton - Gladstone Road. — Contract No. 127, for supplying 570 cubic yards of metal, is proceeding satisfactorily; about half the quantity is delivered. Rangitumau Riding. Wangachu Road.—Contract No. 144, 50 chains o£ metalling. The stone breaking on above is reported complete by the cantractor. Contract No. 145, 91 chains of metalling. About 15 chains of the long length has been laid, darting operations have been suspended till more suitable weather. Contract 160, painting two truss bridges, has been finished satisfactorily, as well as three small platform bridges on the same road. Kaka-amu Road.—Contract No. 153, | delivering 220 cubic vards of metal J for repairs, lias been executed in a j satisfactory manner. Opaki-Rangi-tumau Road.—Meagre repairs are being made to the above road. The Ruamahangafc Protective Works on the Matapini Road require to be extended. Te Ore Ore-Bidefard Road.' —Contract No. 170, for building a 24 feet span bridge to substitute the! 28 feet t;russ, which has been un-', safe for heavy traflic for some time past, was duly finished las: month. Upper Taueru Riding.— Te Ore Ora-Bideford Road.—The main decking of the Tauaru bridge at Bowlands is showing signs of decay in many parts. To render it safe for heavy I traffic, it will be necessary to have it re-decked with a three inch cress decking of birch. The metal length throughout is in a very weak state, and should hive substantial repairs next summer. Puulson's Road. —The 2 feet oy 2 feet by 30 feet culvert, destroyed by fire, has been rebuilt and the embankment made good. Alfredton Riding—Castle Hill Road —Contract No. 176, supplying 400 cubic yard 3of mital for repairs, has been duly completed. R=pairj are being effected to the Maungatakato and Springvale Roads. Wainuioru Riding. Kaiwhata- ' Homewood Road (Government grant £IOO).—A gang of three men is at present opening up the sidings far wheel traffic East Coast Road. — Contract No. 156 (Mohuwaireka to Beamont mail gate). The contractor has yet a short length to finish. Masterton-Waimata Road.—Contract No. 164 delivering, etc, 1,790 cubic yards of metal. Tho weaker portions of the above length of road have been repaired. The contractor is making fair progress. Brancepeth Road. — Contract No. 167, rnet3liing 33§ chains of road. The contract has been completad and the balai-o of the allocation is biin-j; expen le I in extending tha matal length and on repairs.