MASTERTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9620, 13 October 1909, Page 3

MASTERTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

ENGINEER'S REPORT. The County Engineer, Mr D. McLaughlan, reported as follows to the meeting Masterton County Council yesterday:— I have the honour to submit a report on the progress of County works since the Council's meeting in August.

Opaki Riding. Upper Plain Road widening.— The setting back of the fence on the south side between the LI an da ff gate and Dagg's Road is practically completed and the contiactors are now proceeding with the widening from the last point named to Mr R. Dagg's western boundary, which they expect to complete before next meeting. Upper Waingawa Road: The accrued thirds and amount allocated for repairs, on this section, have been expended in forming and metalling the broken length east of Mr Dean's homestead, and generally repairing the whole section.

Black Creek Road: Metal repairs to the weaker portions of this road have been effected, the settlers contributing the teams for the greater part of the work. Matahiwi Koad: The stringer bridge, reported unsafe in my last report, has b>en rebuilt with rough timber, which should meet the requirements of this road for the next fifteen years. Upper Opaki Road and Loop Line: Contract No. 202. 45 chains of metalling and of metal for repairs, is about half completed, and satisfactory progress is being made by the contratcor. A culvert has been put in on Mr R. Buick's frontage, on the recently metalled length, with the object of removing storm water said to be impounded by the layer of ' metal. Waingawa to Camp Road: Two small box culverts on mile 2 of above r?ad being unsafe for traffic, have been replaced by cement pipes. Te Whiti Riding.' Robieson's Road: As directed by the Council I have inspected the bridge reported unsafe- by Mr Robieson, abd the substitution of a 3ft by 3ft culvert will better serve the purpose, the work will be proceeded with immediately, Colombo Road Extension: The fencing on both side* of the road, building a culvert 3ft by 2ft by 20ft, and making a length of formation over a wet depression have been carried out at a total cost of £39 14s 7d.

Waingawa River: Willows have been planted on the up stream side of the road bridge on either side of the river and the necessary, repairs to the groynes have been effected. Ma&terton-Gladstone Road: The metal repairs, etc., mentioned in my last report, were carried out last month jL\angitumau Riding.

g Kaka Amu Road: The water tables throughout the above road have been cleaned and a few of the worst ruts in the road filled in with metal. Blatchford's Road: The culvert complained by Mr D. McLachlan has been repaired; I may mention, however, that mending the culvert does not entiraly relieve the riination, the side drains and culvert at this position of thejroad are practically full, as there is no proper ou I t cut, the watpr having to find its way over the natural surface of the swampy ground. The outlet necessary would entail 6 or 7 chains of drain iti an easterly direction, towards Mr Blatchford's boundary, where there is drainage for its relief, if he will consent. The drainage would be a benefit to the owner of the prooercy, who should share in the cost of the work.

Mr Fabian reported at the office to Mr Moore that a culvert was broken in the centre of the Te Ore GreBideford Road opposita ohaw's, and that his horse and trap had sustained injury in consequence. Mr Moore, in my absence, directed Blane to make the culvert safe, and the latter reported to me that a nlank in the top of a lOin by 12in culvert, near Cameron's woolshed, was broken at a position about two feet on 'the outside of the metal width. Vehicular traffic, trying to avoid the new metal had broken the uncovered culvert. Wainuioru Riding.

Weraiti-Brancepeth Road: As in-, structed I have had located and a survey made of a plot of ground for a roadman's cottage situated about ten chains from the Brancepeth Road junction. The site proposed is about four acres, contains running water and a dry position for a cottage. Repair have been effected to the upper end of the Stronvar Road. Lett's Road: Contribution and allocation for this road are practically expended; 24 chaics of new tormation has been made and a length of about thfrtv chains reformed. Alfredton Riding. Maroa Road (Grants and Thirds). —The formation of the deviation through Boustead's is being carried out by day labour.