WAIKARAPA WEST COUNTY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 239, 15 August 1879, Page 2

WAIKARAPA WEST COUNTY.

engineer's report. To the Chairman of the Wairarapa West County Council. Sir—Agreeably with your instructions, I have made inquiries ai to how the ferries at the Mangatainoka aud Manawatu rivers have been conducted by the natives. I was informed by the roadman (Mr H. Mann) who is in charge of the section of road between the two ferries, that the natives hadforaconsidtiWßyieriod entirely neglected the Maiwjftka ferry, and that for about two wH)m last summer the punt was allowed to lie on the bank of the river, where it had#een lodged by a flood. He also said that while the river was in a flooded state he had either to put travellers over or keep them at his whare. At the. Manawatu ferry he said the natives were generally in attendance to receive fares and put travellers over the river when it was in a flooded state, If a traveller came without money wherewith to pay his fare, they demanded a blanket, a shirt, a pair of boots, of any other article in the traveller's possession which they took a fancy for. It was also said that the native whose duty it was to work the punt was incompetent, and that travellers in consequence were put to a great deal of inconvenience.

On the 25th of last July Mr T. H, Hill, as interpreter, and I went to Hawera to question the natives about the ferries and how they managed them. HuruTe Hiaro stated that in consequence of certain reports about the management of the Manawatu ferry he had discharged the ferryman (Pataromo) for neglect, and had appointed a good man in his stead (Painetu), and since his appointment there had not been any complaints. They had, at the urgent request of Mr Booth, Native Commissioner, undertaken to cross with the punt when the river was dangerously high, and before they had gone far they were standing knee-deep in water on the deck of the punt, They were therefore obliged to let go the rope which connects the punt with the wire rope, They suggested that a mark might be fixed m the river indicating the height that it was safe to cross at, and when the water rose above the mark they would refuse to cross with the punt. It was not out of consideration for their own safety, as they could all swim in the event of a capsize, but they should not like any accident to occur to any of our people; however, you may rest assured, said they, that we shall not refuse to cross over unless the danger is great. With reference to the reports of our having levied blackmail on travellers, such as demanding their clothes and blankets, &c, these reports are utterly false. I have at times bought shirts and tobacco from travellers who had no money, but in no case demanded them as payment. I believe these reports have been circulated by an evil-disposed person (who is a surveyor residing in this neighborhood), as no honest person would tell such falsehoods. I hope that if any such reports get circulated in future that your Council will give the authority that I may be enabled to refute them.

Waiohine River. In compliance with jour instructions, I examined the Waiohine River between the Black Bridge and Greytown. Part of the right bank has been washed away and a considerable bend formed near Ingley's old house, but I think there is no immediate danger of the road being injured, as at the nearest point the road is about five chains distant from thk if-jr, and until the protective works npjWk.Sg executed on the right bank behind Greytown are completed it would be impossible to say what changes are likely to occur in the shape of the river bed. In carrying out these protective works, the river, at places, has been confined within narrower limits, and at other places its course has been changed; these alterations are sure to affect the river for some distance below the works. Makakahi Bridge Contract.

The Makakahi bridge at the upper crossing will be completed about the time fixed by the Council at the last meeting. On the 7th inst. the piles were all driven and the piles partly sheeted up, two trusses were erected and scaffolding built to erect the other two on. The embankments forming approaches to the bridge are being made simultaneous with the other works, so that the whole may be finished about the same time. Manawatu Ferry,

The erection of new straining-posts and repairs to the punt are now being executed, and will be completed, weather permitting, in a short time, Ektahuna to Alftedton Road. The general contractors on this road are pushing on with their contracts as weftas could be expected, considering the weather they have had since commencing. I lam, &c, j John King, County Engineer, i