The County Engineer's Report.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2849, 16 March 1888, Page 3

The County Engineer's Report.

Masterton, March 13th, 1888.

Master ton Riding,—Te Ore Ore to Bicleford Road--The repairs to this line have been completed, excepting some minor details on the section beyond Bicleford. The services of the additional men have been dispensed with, and the remaining works will be finished by the labor of the permanent men,

On the Masterton to Waimata line, the river diversion works at Te Ore Ore, were let on the 3rd inst. to Mr J, Dawson. At present nothing has been done towards starting the undertaking. On the Waingawa to Camp Road, a slight mishap, the result of the failure of the deck planks of one of the small platform bridges under the weight of a traction engine, has resul-

ted in no serious inconvenience. The

, broken decking has been replaced by jffi/resh material at a small outlay, and the bridge was re-openedfor traffic the day after the accident occurred. In connection with the projected repairs by the Borough Council to the Waipoua bridge, on the boundary between the County and the .Borough, I have examined the bridge, in company with the Chairman of the Works Committee of that body, and have consented to his proposal to re-deck the bridge throughout. Although somewhat premature this is perhaps the most advisable course to adopt as the lower planking is, in many instances, in a more or less broken and dilapidated condition, and with the heavy traffic to which the bridges about the town are now subjected it may possibly be the means at times of obviating temporary obstruction to traffic while repairs are under execution. Cashpoint Biding.—Maaterton to . Waimata Road - The material required for metalling the short porroad at Pine Hill is now ready, and the connecting. M will be completed by the endoftiie month, Plans and specifications for the proposed bridge north of Pine Hill have been prepared, and tenders for the work will close' at the office on the 24th instant. -Alfredton Riding.-Eketaliuna tc Tinui Road (Eketaliuna to Tjraumea section). The pontraot for suspending tlie wire rope over- the Tiraumea river will be completed at an early date. The materials are now ready and the • work will probably occupy about a • week. The permanent man is still employed in assisting the Road Board in the performance of one of the metalling contracts, I would suggest to the Council in reference to next winter's maintenance of this line, that a few men he employed at once to put the road in an efficient state of repair ■Aliroughout, so that continuous maintenance through the winter may be dispensed with. Any mate of ordinary flood damage such as slips, falling trees, &c. which may temporarily close the lino at any time can be dealt Wi tU at to discretion of the members

for the Riding as tho circcmstances may require.

Opaki to Manawatu ' Road.— Arrangements have been entered into with different carters along the line for the delivery of motal on tho various maintenance sections into which it is divided. On the wholo.tho tenders lor the work wero satisfactory, and a reasonable amount of materials will be supplied for the money available. The operations are now in course of execution and will be completed within a month from this date, Along the Opaki to Mauriceville section considerable repairs are absolutely necessary if the ability of the line for winter traffic is to be preserved. Owing to limited funds I have been unable to undertake even the most urgent of the works, I have also to request that the Council will give me special instruction as to the arrangements for the present and future requirements of this section of the road. In the matter of the proposed curtailment of the road reserve through the Eketahuna township, I recommend that the extended width to section No. 19 as shown upon the plan as the eastern margin of the road, be reserved by the Council for general road purposes.

In connection with the metal repairs to the Pahiatua road, it has been necessary, in order to meet tho local requirements of the township owners, to omit from the proposed surface repairs that section of the line within the limits of the Town Board. The concensus of opinion appears to be that the general interests of the settlement are better served by closing the old gravel pits against the Council than by throwing them open in order to facilitate repairs through the township. Although opposed to this opinion, I have been compelled to adopt the only alternative, namely, to metal as much as can be done at a reasonable price from either side towards the township boundaries, and to omit from our operation that section, tho performance of which, their action has rendered beyond the means placed at my disposal, I have little doubt but that the settlers may understand their own interests better than I am able to gauge them, but I am nevertheless of opinion that in this respect they may discover themselves to have been in error before the close of the winter. On application from the Town Board, Pahiatua, I would recommend that the Council consent to the fencing in of a gravel pit situated within the Board's boundaries. In its present unprotected state, the pit is a source of danger to the general public,situated as it is on the border and considerably below the level of the metalled roadway. In addition to the.requisite repairs to the two bridges on the south of Pahiatua, tenders for the execution of which will be laid before the Council to-day, it will be necessary to effect certain repairs to a platform bridge close to the Awapurua toll gate. One of the stringers has sustained such serious injury as to necessitate its removal and the surface of the deck will require sheeting over with pine planking. I would, therefore, require authority from the Council to have these repairs undertaken with as little delay as possible. I am, &c. t | C. E. BR'emnek,