WAIRARAPA NORTH COUNTY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2521, 10 February 1887, Page 2

WAIRARAPA NORTH COUNTY.

Enoineebs Repobt. Sib,—l have the honor herewith to submit to .you my report for tho tho past month on the public works within the County Masterton Biding, Te Oro Ore to Bidefoi'd Boad. —The completion of Gardenor'a contract, Ho. 12, for metalling 66-35 chains of thisioadwaß effected about a fortnight ago. Contract N0. ! 13, for metalling 174-90 chains ottjie back portion of the same road haß been iu eXoiiution for the pnet too v.'ceka,. the quality'of gravely thoagh at first rather fine, is daily improving, as the pit beoomos opened out, and the atone now being laid down promises, with proper attention, to form a sound and durablo road surface. 'Contraot No. 4 includes the gravelling of all the at present unmetalled portions of the line in the open country, between Bridge Creek and Bowland Terraces, a-length of 123-50 chains/Although this contract has beenletfornearly,amonthl regret that workwasnot' commenceduhtiltwo days ago ; , and is now only proceeding in a somewhat dilatory manner. I have given the cOntiactor notice that, in order' to avoid any further annoyance, lie must push the work forward without further delay,

Masterton to Waimata Road.—The fencing dividing off the piece of land leased by the Council from Mr Bennett's other property, has been finished, The total length of fenoing erected has been 10-80 chains, which has been performed at a cost of £lll2s 6d. On the Waingawa to Gamp Road, the abutment fo the small bridge, destroyed during last winter floods, has been repaired, and the earthwork refilled at its southern approach. Alfredton Biding, Eketahuna to Tenui Eoad.—The road repairs and completion of contract No. 14 in tho Tiraumea district were fulfilled by Mr Pratt and hia party by the 17th of last month. The account in connection ■ with the contract: can be balanced by next sitting of the Council, and any surplus then remaining can (then be dealt with as tho Council may think proper. I have arranged with Mr McLachlan to procure the measure"-' ment of Smith's bußh-felling at Tiraumea when he is in the locality, and will bo able to advise as to tho amount of their liability by tho next sitting, Tho permanent man has been employed during last month in repairing portions of the [clay! road surface, and generally clearing up and raking in the metallod surface of portions of the line, Castlepoint Siding, Masterton to Waimata Eoad.—ContraotNo. 22. .This.works, which consists pf; motalling 'a- portion of. the 'road near the'BlaWogia'Motion Hotel, is making good progress. -The gravel obtained for .the performance of tho work is, so far, of a satisfactory, character, ant} in other, respects tho jsvorks are : proceeding' as' well" as- can bo expected.. Contraots |23 and 24, which are jbeing conjoMy executed (under Mr Britt's directions; and cbnßi'sfc'feßpebtively of 46 and j92 chains of road metalling, between, the new.Mangapakcha Bridgri mid Tinui, has been imaking only fair progress sinco operations commenced. As the work of organising the different gangsof mohaudgoneraßy arranging preliminaries has necessarily beon a work involving a certain amount of unavoidable delay, I so far, pressed the contractor'to ineraese his staff. l am, howover, of opinion that unless tho staff is considerably augmented at an oarly dato that it will not be possiblo for him to fulfill all of his three contracts by the date stipulated in tho conditions, or oven before a break of tho summer wuufiier may be lookod for. The road repairs whioli are being executed by day labor on sections of tho lino between Mr Britt's 'metalling works havo beon finished. The return of work performed for tho money which has been laid out is very satisfactory, and will prove of great benefit to tho road surface during tho winter months.

Eketahuna to Tinui road,—Contract No, IG, which is one of the three contracts let to Mr Britt, consists of metalling a length of 94-58 chains on this road. Beyond preliminary prospecting for metal pits nothing has been done towards taking the work in hand, • Opaki to Manawatu road,—ln connection with the work on this line I have received an intimation from the Government that they are about to proceed with certain repairs between the Mauriceville road junction with the main line. I would request the Council's authority to engage what carts, etc., may be necessary for immediately expending the. portion of the Government grant which I understand is now available for. maintenanco work, In connection with the erection of .the toll houses and' gates, the natives of Ngawapurua have caused considerable- expense and delay in the building of these in that locality by forcibly breaking down and removing the materials whioh had been erected as a frame work for the proposed building. Under the circumstances it was found necessary to take legal proceedings against them to settle the Council's title, to the satisfaction of tho natives. This action was heard at Woodville during the 2nd inst., since which date the work of reconstruction of the house, &c,, has been proceeding without further molestation of any sort. . The building at Hastwell's Clearing was completeiin a satisfactory manner by contract time, and is now in occupation of the lessee, Mr Vile. Tho permanent men are at present employed in preparing material for cartage along the road, for surface repairs during Winter. Tenders will be laid before the (Council this day for four additional contraota in various parts of the district's, ' ' l am, etc,, • C.E.BRBMSBH,