COUNTY ENGINEER'S REPORT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3112, 10 February 1909, Page 3

COUNTY ENGINEER'S REPORT.

The following report by the County Engineer (Mr D. MrLiUTihui) unadopted by the MastcrUn County Council yesterday:— Te Whiti Riding. Masterton-Gladstone road—lt has been necessary to re-deck the Makora bridce with three-inch birch, the main totara deck having shown of breaking up. Weraiti road—The extension of two culverts authorised by Ihe Council, to improve two acute turns in the road, haa been carried out, and the formation over the culverts extended. Masterton-Waimata road The timber necessary for duplicating the 4ft x 4ft culverts, between Weraiti roau junction and tho Wangaehu bridge, has been delivered. Rangitumau Riding. Wangaehu road-Contract No. 145—The delivery of the metal for above contract was completed last month, and the worK is now under maintenance.

j Contract No. 134, 43 chains of metalling—Th3 contractor expects to complete the carting early this week. The metal supply, I regret to say, is nearly exhausted in the locality known as Guild's quarry. There may, however, be a meagre supply to repair the weaker portions at the Northern end. Wainuioru Riding. Masterton-Waimata road—Contract No. 188, delivering 1,340 cubic yards of metal for repairs—The contractors are now engaged at the northern end of the work, screening metal from the Mangapakeha creek. The same contrac.ors, Messrs Gadsby and Bartlett, who were also the successful tenderers for the Branceceth road repairs will start the carting operations immediately. Blairlogie road—Contract No. 187, supplying 710 cubic yards metal— The contractor started work last week, commencing operations from Liverton's quarry. Weraiti-Brancepeth road—Brancepeth to Fernyhurst section —Contract No. 182, 126 chains of metalling— The contract is about half finished.

Contract No. 181, Saddle to Parai j section, 148 chains of metalling with crushed limestone— Crushing operations are now fairly on the way; the contractor hopes to make good progress during the ensuing month with the delivery of the material. [ Blairlogie - East Coast road—Contract No. 180, 131 chains of metalline—The work is well on the wav ; towards completion, including eight chains extra let to the contractor, ' completing the unmetalled length on . the Eperaima deviation. ' Alfredlon Riding. , j Alfredton-Weber road, Waitiwhiti to Tiraumea homsetead section —Contract No. 186, metalling two miles of road —The contractor commenced carting last week; he has five drays engaged, and contemplates increasing his present strength to ten teams. Contract No. 185, delivering 965 cubic yards of metal for repairs, Tawataiato-Boustead section— The above contract was started at the be- < ginning of last week from Harding's i quarry. ; Waihoke road, 45 chain 3 of met- j ailing with burnt papa—Contract No. j 183-The contractor is engaged in; packing the kilns preparatory to burning. I Moroa - Hinemoa road— Contract No. 179, building a bridge—Little progress has been made with the j construction of this work since last j meeting, the contractor being absent (, on other works in the County; he has. I however, now three men engaged and. the contract should be completed j within this month.

With the concurrence of the Councillors for the riding, I have let the small earthwork approach to Mr Boustead, who has facilities at hand for carrying out same. Mount Baker road—Contract No. 81, 103 chains of metalling-~The contractors had about 40 chains laid, 1 on my visit to the ground last week, seven three-horse teams being employed. At tue present rate of progress ihe contract should be finished at the end of this month. Castle Hill road—Contract No. 190, building a bridge over the Taueru— Tenders, closing yesterday, were called for the above. As there were none received I would be pleased to have the Council's direction as to whether fresh tenders 1 should be invited. j From an inspection of the four tunnels, which conduct water through the roadways, 1 find that it will be necessary to repair their outlets, which have become undermined, by constructing a stone apron to receive water from the outlets en the Alf e Jj ton-Weber road, and by the aouitiou of some c*ement to the floors of two outlets on the Saunders' road The work was authorised. General repairs are being effected ' t r ) the nariow portions of the Saunj ders' road. Accrued thiich—l have ordered j timber to be delivered this month lon the ground for the. reconstruction of two culverts, one on Saunders' road a'->d the second on the AlfredtonWeher road, Darlington's frontage. I have received a satisfactory price (<£7 10s) from G. Benton for the construction of the large culvert on the Waihoki road, and he will proceed with the work forthwith. Opaki Riding. Matahiwi road—The collapse of an old log bridge, on the above road, necessitated the erection of a 3in x 3in x 17in culvert, which was constructed last week. The painting of the Miki Miki bridge is being carried out. Upper Taueru Riding. / The annual repairs to the Te Ore Ore-Bideford road are nearing completion.