MASTERTON COUNTY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 10 September 1913, Page 7

MASTERTON COUNTY.

ENGINEER'S REPORT. The following report from the engineer (Mr D. MeLachlin) was sented at the meeting of the Masterton County Council yesterday:— OPAKI HIDING. Metal repairs have been made to tho Akura and Upper Plain roads south of Rummer's bridge; the work was authorised by the councillors for the riding. The grader has also been at work on the above-mentioned roads for two days. Burnett's Road—Two 12in by 12m culverts which were in a dilapidated condition have been replaced and some top planking on a small platform bridge in a like condition has been renewed and the surface stones, on a recently metalled length, have been broken.

Fernridge Road. —With reference to some urgently required metal repairs performed last month which *as subject to a petition to the Council at last meeting, I have to complain of the* mis-statements made therein,— that the dr ays only delivered three cob. yards per at a °° st ? r &** per cub, yard, wheTeas on 7 days out of the 9, the drays deiyewj 6 Cttb. yards per day, and on an average J? 1-3 (five and a-third) cub. yards for th« whole period, at a cost including filling, spreading and napping of 5s 7d per cub. yard. It is manifestly clear that small urgent works at this time of the year will generally cost more than larger contracts conducted systematically in the more favourable season.

Te Whiti Riding.r-MasterlonrGlad-stone road: are "being' made to the weaker portions of above road.

Rangitumau Riding.—The needful patching to the ruts on Blatchford's road baa been made. Te Ore Ore-Bideford Road.—Contract No. 295: The delivering of 530 ciib. yards metal*has been finished and taken off the contractor's hands. WAINUIORU RIDING.

Masterton-Waimata Road. —Contract No. 296 (quanying and breaking 800 cub. yards of stone): The contractors are working in the southern quarry and have 200 or 300 (■;■ yards broken. I thank it would be judicious to extend a contract to say about 200 cub. yards, as there is a prospect of sampling a quarry some four or five chains up the valley, which appears to* be of good quality, the better prospect of a supply is in that direction.

The repairs to the Tavern bridge have been started. I find the pier is very much shaken, and in many places decayed. I estimate the repairs will amount to at least £l5O. ,

The surface of the Masterton-Wai-mata and Blairlogie-Homewood roads is in a very rough and unbroken state, considering the exceptionally good winter experienced. The increased motor oar traffic is largely accountable for the present condition. Authority from the Public Works Department has bee 1 received to procede with the formation and tunnel on the Maatertqn-Waimata road. As instructed, tenders have been called to close at noon to-day for the formation of 2.80 chains of rad, tunnel, etc. UPPER TAUERU RIDING. Te Ore Ore-Bideforcl Road—Small metal repairs have-been. made, to some .weak patches north of Bridge Creek. The crowning of some low lying portions of the To Roto road lias been effected. . ALFREDTON RIDING. Alfredton Weber Road.—Replacing 24ft. culvert: 'Fro i further inspection of the ground, I think the size of the existing culvert .cannot be materially reduced. To build a ferro-concrete culvert in this position would cost about £3O, above that of timber. Bridge provision ~ would have to be made for carrying traffic during the period of setting, thus addnig materially te the cost. On the Castle Hill road, w culvert 3in by 3in by 5-lin, under a 12in embankment, is in an advanced state of decay, and should for security of the road ba replaced' during the coming summer. Approximate cost £SO to £6O. On the Hutewai road an 18in by 40in culvert is in a similar condition. Approximate cost of reconstruction will be £l6. A lOin addition with a lift shoot fs required on the Tiraumea frontage, where a length of the existing culvert has broken away. As the culvert, cannot be extended on the low side in its present position, I purpose extending a culvert on the upper side and improving 'the. approach thereto by. taking off a point which will be utilised in providing tlo necessary filling- . .

Saunders' Flat Tunnel.—The walls and floor have been constructed and in case of emergency the water might be diverted through the tunnel ivith i ; / work. Tho arch of the tur.nel, which is ■&> be of brick, has yet to be constructed, which I purpose doing during the -summer.