COUNTY ENGINEER'S REPORT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3065, 9 December 1908, Page 3

COUNTY ENGINEER'S REPORT.

The following report by the Engineer to the Masterton County Council (Mr D. McLachlan) was adopted by the Council yesterday Opaki Riding. Matahiwi Road—The improvements to above road, mentioned in last month's report, have been carried out, as well as some necessary surface repairs to the wetter portion of the road. Upper Ooaki Road-The painting of a sft truss bridge, crossing the "Waipoua river at Rummer's, has been put in hand. The bridge over the Waipoua river on the Miki Miki Hoad requires similar attention as ■well as screwing up and adjusting the rods. Te Whiti Riding. Weraiti Road —Contract Mo. 155, 110 chains of metalling. The contractor has completed the delivery of J the metal; the raking and breaking 'of the large stones has yet to be done. The quality of the metal on the latter part of the work has improved; the sandy and earthy seams in the pit are becoming less frequent. Two 3ft x 3ft culverts on the hrst forty-five chains of the Weraiti Road are short, and require a tota- lengthening of 25ft, the one being at a very bad turn at the junction ofthe road. —Approximate cost £ls. The work was authorised. I am having the metal length, between the Wangaehu bridge and main load, repaired, as it is badly rutted in consequence of the heavy metal txsffiCa Te Whiti bridge—The top decking of the above bridge is showing signs of age, and I judge will require replacing during the coming year. Rangitumau Riding. Waingawa to Camp Road—The 40ft span, near the junction of Dorset's Road, has been repainted. Wangaehu Road— Contract No. 145, 91 chains of metalling. About two thirds of the work has been performed. (Government Grant £250) Contract No. 134, 40 chains of metalling. I have pegged off a4O chain length covering the worst portions of the road North of Mr Mathews* homestead. The section pegged out covers about 7 chains of treacherous | ground on the Mauriceville territory. In order to get this length done Mr Mathews has agreed 'to contribute the metal free, and representation is being made by the Northern ratepayer for a like contribution from the R/'auriCeville County; I think there will then be sufficient money to cover the unmetalled length. The willows complained of obstructing the view at the. Kopuaranga bridge on the Bluff to Rangitumau Road, have been cut down and removed. Wainuioru Ridisg. P*lslairlogie—East Coast Road. Contract No. 180, 131 chains of metalling. The contractor is on the ground and making good progress with the work, and has about a quar ter of a mile of ir.etal laid. Weraiti — Farnyhurst Road—Contract No. 181, 148 chains of metalling. The contractor has started quarrying operations, and is preparing to get machinery for crushing 1 on to the ground. ( Alfredton Riding. Hinemoa Road— Boustead's Bridge. All the piers are built and in position; the stringer approach spans are well on the way to completion. The contractor has had some delay in | getting the hardwood shipped, but he assured me yesterday that the timber has been delivered m Wellington, and he will have.it on the ground irn- ] mediately and will complete the work forthwith. Alfredton —Weber Road. (Loan and Grant). As instructed, I have called tenders for a section of two miles of metalling from the Tiraumaa homestead South, this point being the extreme Northern limit Iron? which it will pay to cart the river metal. Tenders will close on Saturday, 12th instant, for the work. Mount Baker Road —Contract No. 81. The contractors, in consequence of other work in hand, are only now prepared to go on with the carting, and they have written asking the Council for an extension of time in which to complete their contract. I see no objection to the time being extended to the middle of March, if the contractors proceed with the work forthwith. Waihoki Road (Accrued Thirds). — The improving of the formation on the Northern end of this road is proceeding. The bulk of the timber for replacing the temporary platform bridge is ready for carting at the tram skids. (Accrued Thirds). Contract No. 183, metalling 45 chains of road with burnt papa, was let on November 28th to Mr Green, who informed me that he was ready to proceed with the work at once. Upper Taueru Riding. I purpose, with the Council's approval, proceeding with repairs to the weaker portion of the Bideford Road, with hired teams.—Authority was given for the work. The season is now favourable for continuing the destruction of willows. The nuisance is gradually gaining ground, and will be serious in narrow courses if not combated; I would suggest that settlers be notified to clear the streams of the growth.