WIRARAPA EAST COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2294, 13 May 1886, Page 2

WIRARAPA EAST COUNTY COUNCIL.

< Engineer's report,

Sir.—l havo the honor to lay before you my report on the Works in hand withiti the Wairarapa East County for the past month :

Masterton riding, waingawa to camp; road.—Under, authority of. the Works Committee a contract has been entered into for additional protective works to the South bank of the Waingawa river. Mr Girdwood, the successful tenderer for tho work is making good headway with his contract, and the portion already completed will ensure tho safety of the bank from any further serious damago by floods. A freshet, : which occurred within two days, of letting the. contract, so seriously damaged the banks at. the approach to the bridge, that I found it necessary to extend the contract so as to counteract the action of the river under the altered circumstances, The additional expenditure involved in the execution of this extra work amounts to a sum of £6 12s, and 1 have to request that the Council will confirm my action in arranging to have the additions proceeded with. The Committee have also authorised me to engage for a stone breaking contraband to offer tenders for the extension of the Waipuua bridge embankments on his line. The former work I have let to Mr Geo. Prate at 2s 9d per cubic yard. Tenders for the' latter will be laid before tho Council at its sitting this day. BIDEFORD ROAD REPAIRS.—GraveI, to the value of £2O, has been deposited along the Te Ore Ore Bection of thiß road, and a permanent man is at present employed in spreading and breaking the material over the damaged portion of the road's surface. Castle Point Ridino.—Masterton to Waimata koad,—Through pressure of other business it has been necessary to postpone my visit to tho East Coast in connection with fixing a site for the Btock toll at Akiteo, the permanent location of the Oahanga Bection of road, and the possible removal of tho Oahanga ferry site. I will, however, be in a position to visit tho locality; and nettle these matters immediately after the present sitting of Council. The materials for the erection of the Oahanga Hill Bridge are already prepared in Wellington, and will bo transmitted by the first veasel which may call at the Oahanga landing Bay. The short length of metalling on the Manawa section of Eketahuua to Tinui Road has been executed by day labor under the direction of the Overseer to the Castle Point Road Board. The Overseer reports an exceptionally heavy rainfall on the East Coast during the early .part of month, by which considerable damage has oaured to tho read works in that locality. The permanent men are at present en-, gaged in removing tho obstruction, aud otherwise repairing the damage so as to open the blocked portions of tho lines for traffic as speedily as possible. Alfredton Riding: —Ekatahuna to Tinui Road—The progress of contract No. 14 hiia been somewhat retarded during the past month, owing to the broken weather experienced in the Alfredton and surrounding districts. Tho contractor for this reason has found it necessary to make application to me for an extension of the contract timo for the completion of the work. Tho contract, so far has been executed in an efficient manner, rnd all care has been taken to advance it as rapidly as circumstances would permit, 1 have therefore to advise that the Council take his request into favorable consideration and grant him a fortnight's extension of time. The conditions for maintenance of metalling contracts Nos. 9 and 13 have beon complied with by the contractor, and the works were taken over about the middle of, the month. Grass seed has ;been provided for sowing the burnt bush clearings along the Eketahuna to Alfredton section of tho lino, and the roadman has instructions to sow it at once., Mr Stevens has completed the bridge painting on tho branch lines in the Forty Mile Bush.

Opaki to Manawatu Road.-l have to advise the Council of tho Mauricevillo diversion of this lino. Thiß section is partially blocked by heavy land slips which cover the metal Burface and divert the drainage from tho proper channels, This diversion is still under tho control uf tho Government, aB I declined to tako it over from Messrß Downeß and HornierBon until it was completed to my satisfaction. 1 understand that Messrs Downea and Henderson havo been relieved from further responsibilities in connection with their railway contract, so thai the Council are I think justified in requiring that the Government shall camplote tho work before throwing the responsibility of its future maintenance upon them. I am &c, C, B, Bremnkr,