Wairarapa North County Council.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2824, 16 February 1888, Page 3

Wairarapa North County Council.

Engineer's Report. MASTERTON RIDIN'G. Tc Ore Ore to Bideford Road,— Four extra men under the direction of the permanent roadman aro at present employed in cutting back and removing the heavier slip 3 which have lodged on the sidling formation and at present interfere with the efficient drainage of the road. The works upon which they ?re now engaged will occupy about ten days in their completion, when the stalT will be reduced to its ordinary strength, Iu connection with the complaint lodged that certain settlers have interfered with the levels of the ' toil l* I that section of the line crossing OTTo Ore Ore flats, I have examined the locality, and have to report that the levels for a length of 12J chains have been altered in such a manner as will cause an excessive flow of drainage in one direction and necessitate additional provision being Mftcje at the outlet for its accQrarooda.

tion, Although such interferences on tho part of private individuals with public property is highly reprehensible, tho present case is 0116 which can be remedied at a comparatively small outlay and without any permanent injury to tho road, and I think the casß will be met by the Council giving the offenders a warning against a repetition of such conduct in the future. Maslcrton to Waimata Koad.—The surfaces of the Te Ore Ore and other bridges on the Hats between Masterton and Otahoua have been patched and freshly covered as far as the money available for the purpose would admit of. Tho long bridge, however, is still in a rough and broken condition and will require greater attention as soon as funds will permit of further repairs being undertaken. Tho construction of tho groin on the east bank of the Ruamahunga river above tho bridge has been satisfactorily executed and tho contractor is now engaged in rethatching, with manuka, tho broken portions ot the western banks. The continuous succession of Hoods during last winter and the spring season havo effected considerable alterations iu tho course of tho river for a distance of;{ of a milo above tho bridge, tho mon direct shannelshavo closed up and the direction of tho river lias assumed » somewhat devious course over its wide bed.' The current acting against the higher hanks in the elbows has rapidly eaten into and increased the depth of water in front of them, and the deposits and silling on the convex shore below the last elbow have contraced (he channel immediately above the bridge, and forced the main body of water against the wesiern bank with such violence as to undermine and threaten its .stability. A considerable length of the old established willow bank has already been destroyed and unless measures are adopted to ensure the improvement of the course bv straightening its direction, I fear that the safety of tho western approach will be seriously endangered. At present I cannot definitely specify what work may bo necessaty to counteract the threatening mischief, but I am of opinion from a somewhat rough examination of the ground that a sum of £SO will be required, to in any way deal with tho matter in an effective manner, Should the Council see tno expediency of taking up the question at once, I will he prepared to lay definite proposals before them by the end of the week, Waingawa to Camp Road.—The protective works at the south end of the Waingawa bridge are finished, and no further apprehensions need be entertained for the safety of the approach. The growth of the willow plantation on the north oank is seriously impeded through the ravages of stock running on tho open river bed, and I fear that unless means can be adopted to prevent their encroachment on the strip of planted ground, that the plants will -be entirely destroyed before long, CASTLEPOINT RIDING,

Masterton to Wainmta Road.—The paintingof the Mungapakeha bridge has been completed to the material improvinent of its condition and general appearance. The work has been well and honestly performed, and will serve to protect the timber against the influence of the weather for some years to come. The gulch scoured across the road a short distance to the north of the Pine Hill deviation is now in a condition to be permanently dealt with. I should recommend that the shoulders of the banks be sufficiently lowered to secure reasonable gradients to a short platform bridge, which can be erected at a comparatively low level, of sufficient capacity to carry off the drainage from the watershed. Although more expensive in first cost, I am of opinion that this method will prove more satisfactory than the original proposal to construct a ford with rough stone and ease the banks down to the level of the flow of the stream. I think that with care and economy a fairly good work can bo dune for a sum not exceeding £SO. Jn connection with the stone prospecting I have already furnished a report '.o the Works flommittee on the subject. Contract. No, 32 (metalling portions of the Big Hill on the Cashpoint section) was completed by Mr Bi'itt on ilie 10' h inst. The wniks on the whole have been fairly wall executed, and will prove a source of great assistance to the heavier class of traffic trailing over this formidable hill, ALFItEDTON RIDING.

Eketahuna to Tinui road—(Kketuliumi to Tiraumea section). Steps have been taken in accordance with the Council's resolution to secure a gravel reserve on section No. 48, Mangaone Block. The necessary survey lias been completed, and plans are now in my possession awaiting the Council's approval before taking further proceedings required by the Act to complete the acquisition of the land. I have completed arrangements with Mr John McDouald, of Eketahuna, to fix the suspension rope across the Tiraumea at Napier's. The work will be completed by the next sitting of tbo Council. The permanent man is ut present engaged in spreading metal for the Eketahuna Road-Board along a section of the main line. Opaki to Manawatu Road.—Materials are now ready for executing repairs to this line within the Alfredton Riding, and I am anxious to know to what extent the Council will authorise expenditure both in this and the Pahiatua Riding, Tho portion of the lino lying between the Manqamahoe railway station and Eketahuna demands the greatest attention, and it will therefore be necesary for the Council to decide for my guidance, in what proportions it may determine to allocate the toll funds for the ensuing year.