MASTERSTON HIGHWAY BOARD ENGINEER'S REPORT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 937, 29 November 1881, Page 3

MASTERSTON HIGHWAY BOARD ENGINEER'S REPORT.

Sir,—l havo the honor to Bubmit to you » report upon' the works at present in in progress .within..the District, for the month 2Gth November, 1881. No. 2 Ward-Uppor Taueru Road Contract.—This contract is proceeding in a alow and ,not altogether' satisfactory manner. . The contractor has-thought it advisable to commence tho wmk iiifywoor' three different places, which lieat IV not ; an Expeditious' or wise method -of procedure, J: hope, however, in time to be' able Wreport more favorably .than I havo been able to do this month. The bush portion road is in a muoh'cut up Btate, andTuffers' much from waM of a permanent man. •. Manaia Road-Drains and Repairs.—, The cleansing of the drains on this line, of the watercress' and other rubbish, aud the repairing of the portion oHhe •formation burnt last autumn,'has been' satisfactorily performed by MrOolway;' 1 will therefore recommend that, the amount of hiß contract, which appears in tho paysheet for tho month, be : paid to him, In connection with.this Hue,'l have been informed that 1 Mr Robert Cockburn has closed his gates against the public, owing to the great annoyance experienced by him through travellers leaving his gate open, and thereby allowing stray cattle to enter his paddocks, ns well ns his stock to escape on to. tho public nad, It is further the intention of Mr Cockburn, I learn, and presume he is perfectly justified, to fence along the river banks (after shearing), and block off the public on to the surveyed line of road. Unfortunately, however, the river where the road strikes, it is so deep, that in the middle of summer when the water is at its lowest level, the ford is 100 deep to cross without having to swim. This must inevitably cause such a serious inconvenience to the public, since it means the closing of this line entirely,.thai it is desirable Bomo arrangement should be made with Mr R, Cockburn to havo the line altered altogether, or failing this, that he may grant a temporary road at a yearly rental until funds may be available for the bridging of the river, No. 3 Ward-Opaki Branch Road Contract.—This contract, as I had expected, is a good apeciman of workmanship, and does credit to Messrs Savage & Co, the contractors. I have therefore pleasure in recommending the payment of the contract amount to, ihem. Bush Felling : Contract Waipoua Block.—The Contractor has completed this undertaking, but owing to pressure of other previous .engagements the Inspector has not as yet found time to examine it. I have therefore drawn out a chequo for the price agreed upon which can be handed to him when the work is ap-: proved of. No 4 Ward—Kaumingi Read Deviation.—Mr Girdwood whose tender., was accepted for the. completion of this work at the last meeting of the Board, has commenced operations, and judging by the eneregy with which the work is being pushed forward at present, I hope to have the line open for traffic within the specified time. I have also arranged with Mr Girdwood, apart from his own contract, for_ the fulfillment of Manning's work which I reported last month had been so disgracefully executed; also for the 'removal and substitution of a-culvert, for' the dilapidated bridge on the Kaumingi road. For the former I have deducted the sum of £5 from Manning, this being the amount of Mr Girdwoud's offer, although to me it appeared quits inadequjttk

If funds will permit of it, I will suggest that an extra roadman be employed with the permanent man on the Wainuioru Road in forming the deviation at the junction of this line with the Taueru Road. Section and specification are already prepared; and, the Wainuioru Road being in good order, and further repair at present unnecessary, it it will bo a favorable opportunity for pushing forward Ihig most desirable work. No, 5 Ward-Bush felling Contract, East Coast Road,—This has'been satisfactorily completed, passed,and final payment made. It is highly important before burning that labour should be employed in lopping the branches from the larger trees, db without this a favorable bprn ia quite impossible, The matter appeared so important to me when inspecting the work that I requested and received what I believe to boa reasonable offer, for the lopping and burninj of the felled bush, from one of the small holders in that quarter, and will advise that arrangementß be made with him for tho work. /The work of widening the Mangavaki Bridle-track has been completed, mid is available for wnol.packin« when required, Tupurupuru Road Contracts, Although this work has been let for one month but a very small portion hnS been Tfommenced. Mr Buckridge, no doubt, relies upon the .Board extending the same leniency towards him that was shown last season,. I hope, however, that in this he may prove most woefully deceived, and that the lines may bo promptly inflicted for the timo that he may exceed the stipulated time. Ahiarube Road Contract.—Mr Kitchingham has commenced this work, and, I feel Bure, will complete it in a creditable k manner. I Survey Operations, &c,—The forma- ' tion survey on the Blairlogie and East Coast 'Road has been completed, and plans and specifications handed over to the "Warden of that district, The road line through- Mr Thompson's le Ore Ore property,;bas been located, giving access to property. I have also made arreconnaisarice survey of an alternate route into'Mr Donivan's property, which rimy,: perhaps, better bolter meet tho views of Messrs Donivaii and McKay. Tho estimate nf the cost of desirable repairs to the Opaki-Rangittimau Road will he laid before the Board during the meeting. Tenders will also be submitted for acceptance, after 12 a,m,,.for works advertise) during the month. ~~\ I have,' to, _j C, E. Bkemher. To trie Chapian Mastertbn Highway * J^trdTMasterton.' °