PUBLIC WORKS IN WAIKATO.

Waikato Times, Volume IX, Issue 514, 4 September 1875, Page 2

PUBLIC WORKS IN WAIKATO.

Ms, W. HsDlarke'a report on PuWfo'-Workguin tlie Waikato shews that, .though the amount expended on roads in this district b*s not been large, a good de>il of useful work ha§ been done. Between Mercer and Newcastle 85 chains were cleared, and 89 formed, 18 faaciued, 0 new culverts constructed and 5 repaired, 14 chains of double rows ot willows planted at Taupiri, and 3 chains at other parts of the rivqr exposed to> heaTy wash. The "VVangamarino bridge was partly ,re-planked and strengthened, and the bridges at Kangiriri- (Nos. 1 and 2,) No 2 and Heary's at Table Hill, Karakul bridge at Taupiri, No. 1 at South Taupin, and the hridge at the llopuhopu, have been repaired. The inadequacy of the labour employed 1 ™ shewn by tho lact that only three mealuTe been engaged iv the maintenance of this section of xoad, which is 36 miles ,iv length.. Between Newcastle aud - Hamilton the Engineqr reports that, the following bridges have beeurephcei by new struct ures, ox repaired ao as to be temporarily serviceable :—Waitiwhinwhin, rep'aced ; Mangaharakoke, replaced; Ueere's £)ie«k, 18 feet culvert built : Hull's Creek, two brides repaired Between Huirjiltou and Cambridge, the bridge over Martyn'a Creik has been Ufte 1, secured, anl protected by hand railing, and stone his b<je.i prori led tj roplacs thi3 by a culvert wh jq the weather becomes favourable .for cirtnig. On tho JPufrol Road between Oauibri.lge and Alexandra the Manga* piko Greek br d.-c ha 3 been ereute 1, au embankment roit-1 formed, seven chaws ia* length, tbsCreek ifseJ b> ing diverted. On the Paikuku Swamp Road, 5,333 fuscmes, have been laid, 12 fi«-t w-idc, and 18 inched det»p, covered with clay. Between Rotora*«gi and Pkikuku, a p trtr of Armed Cou'tnbuUry lure bc.n cinp;<.je.d. Tin ri>ad from- l'uktku.a to Oi.aapo has i ten tuf veyed, and deviations aro piopoEed between Uiakau and Alexandra. The roud .from Pukekurq, to Rjtowngi has been fascincd, clayed, and drainel, but as it passe* through the tVJomatuatua Swamp clo?e to the foot of the hills it ia in a bad state. The drains do not act jatisiactorily, and tho fascines era bsiug cut by traffic for want ©f proper covering. Tho Jiugiueer believes that a few doviutions from thu present line woul4 greatly improve it, and that all the gullies between Orakau and Alexandra should be bridged. He abo remarks that the Mangahoi Swamp and Creole at Orakau were almost impassalle last winter. Between Cambridge and Kangiaohia a bridge has been erected across the Man<*apik > Creek with approaches. The two bad portions of this road orer the Moauatuitua Swamp have been drained and fascinei, but the fascines are being seriously cut by the traffic. Between Cambridge and Ohaupo the bridge over Walker's Q-ully Las "been repaired and and a design and estimate have been prepared for a culvert ovej Eich's Creek. Tho bridge at this place has been completed. Plans have been prepared for repairs to Mystery- Creek bridge, between Hamilton and Alexandra, together with plan of proposed diversions to avoid the crossing of the deep gully. Road diversions have been laid at Harelocko's Leap, Paterangi Kedoubt and two near McKibbon's farm. The road dC version at Paterangi haa been finished by the Armed Constabulary, and that at Havelocke'* Leap was nearly finished. The length of road formed was 13. 10 chains, with earthworks representing J ,176 cubio yards. The Engineer reports that the bridges between Te Awamutu and Alexandra require repairs, that reports and estimates for replacing tkem trith culverts have been prepared, and plans of road diversions, to avoid the necessity for 4ihese bridges. He also ouppoaes that many deviations will be necessary for the improvement of the ioad between Newcastle and Alexandra. Surveys are recommended. Plans have bees prepared for a proposed bridge afc Te Kore, on theHarapipi Eoad, and it is anticipated that the w.ork would be costly, but no aatua,l commencement has been authorised. Mr Clarke states that between Whata Whata and Kaplan from tho foot of the hills on the eastern side to the Waitatuna Creek bridge, all the small culverts and bridges are out of .repair, and in Born© instances broken down. He is of opinion that a much better line of road than the present could be taken ewer the range, improving the grades from Ito 8 or 9 to 1 in 13. The range to be crossed is aboHt 600 feet high. A survey and exploration are recommended. Plans and estimates have been prepared of a proposed road between Raglan and Aotea. The survey of the Waihou and Piako road to Confiscation Boundary was stopped by .the natives, but temu have since been arranged and the survey will be resumed. It is believed that the beat and shortest road will be secured by crossing just below the junction pf the Piako witu Waitakururu, rendering only one bridge necessary. This line of road, though swampy, can be made thoroughly good, as a hard clay bottom exists at a depth of 2 or 3 feet. Road diversions are recommended at the Tamahfre Gully on the main Hamilton and Cambridge Road. Mr Clarke is of opinion that the other hill roads will never be good unless under some comprehensive sy&tetn of roid management, backed by ample funds. Besides these road works, 23 chains of willow planting has been done along the Newcastle town bait. Tho Whata Whata punt has been removed from Newcastle, repaired, and replaced; plans of Newcastle wh«rf ha?© been prepured ; wharf at Waikato Heads has •beon repaired. The Cambridge and Taupo (Atiamuri) road has been partly surveyed, but no levels h *ye been taken. Tho surrey of the /Cambridge and Tuuranga Road ha* been completed a« far as the junction of the Mangawera and Wai* toa Btreams, u distance of eleven miles, wher*