PUBLIC WORKS IN THE BAY OF PLENTY.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume IV, Issue 314, 11 September 1875, Page 3

PUBLIC WORKS IN THE BAY OF PLENTY.

The following portion of tlio account of Public Works undertake]! during’ tlio past year in tlio Pay of Plenty district, under the superintendence of A. 0. Turner, Esq., District Engineer, is taken from tlio appendix attached to the Public Works Statement lately made by tlio Hon. Air Eielmrdson. The conclusion of the report will appear in our next:— Tavranm io Tempo. —Works as below described bare been executed during the last year, viz.:—o9 chains of metalling, 13 chains fa seining, 1,5 a 3 cubic yards of earthwork, 3G9 cubic yards of rock-cntting to reduce angles in side cuttings. SG-.V chains corduroyed with fcrn-uv.s and covered with six pichos ox cuUh, 31 culverts in side

cuttings, and other minor improvements.

This road was in good order until the winter rains srt in. Since then the part which lies in the Mangorcwa !«.]■< M has been in a, bad state, and will ah\ays be so in the winter, unless it be metalled, which will bo an expensive operation, or unless the bush be cut wider, say one chain extra on each side of the central chain, which would have a very beneficial effect. Oldnmnluliranch Iload —Ten chains of this have been formed; one plain bridge 40 foot long lias been completed over the Utahina Elver, and one 6 foot over the Ngawha Creek; also two culverts, 18 inches and 12 inches, have been put in. Tauranga and Katikati —During the last twelve months improvements have been made on this road involving removal of 4,470 cubic yards of earth — viz., 1,0(10 by Armed Constabulary, 2,500 by Ngniterangi natives by contract, and 910 by European contract. Six additional culverts have been built, also a wooden, partition wall 40 feet long at foot of embankment west of MTiiiiui bridge. The Wairoa bridge, in progress last year, Ims been completed, 425 feet iu twelve spans, also a small bridge over the Wairoa millrace. The second division of this road, Aongatoto to Katikati, is 1G miles long, and a portion of it is now' under construction —viz., forming embankments

over tho worst, swamps and surveys and estimates have been made of tho whole, so that tho remainder of the work can bo proceeded with at any lime. The road at present is in very fair order. Mahtu and Rotorua , —On this road 10 culverts .have been erected in tho long side cutting at Waimakeretu, 450 cubic yards of earthwork moved in casing grades ami landslip on above cuttings removed 407 yards. This lino of road is in bad order throughout, owing to the disinclination of tho natives to work except at absurdly high prices, and their tribal feuds.

Ilotoma and Tapapa Horse Hoad . — Survey of this, suspended in 1873, has not yet boon completed, as natives are still in opposition. Ilorohro and Te Whetn Iforse. Hoad. No work has been done on this road during’ lust year, and portions arc still incomplete, although much used by travellers. Galatea and Ahihreru Horse Hoad.' — The survey of tins is now hoing’ proceeded with, the TJrewcra natives having’ withdrawn their opposition. MaUda and Te Teh M.—Section 2, 41 miles, has boon widened from 8 to 12 foot to correspond with section I, 101- miles, to fit it for cart traffic, and the whole is now in good order. Opotihl and Otar a Hoad. —This road, completed in 1873, lias boon handed over to the local Highway Board to maintain.

Maiata and Whahdanc Horse Road. — The deviation described in last year’s report as being necessary is still untouched, owing to the exorbitant demands of the natives.

Opotiki and Ohiwa Road. —Now being widened into a dray road. 1,700 cubic yards of earth have been excavated for embankment between the Waiooka bridges; 117 cubic yards of ditching and widening; and the two Waioeka bridges in progress last year have been completed, 370 foot in length. This line is in good .'order, and is much, used in convoying goods from Ohiwa Harbour to Opotiki. Ohiwa and Wainiana Horse Road. — The swampy place reported last year as being bad is still untouched, as the natives will not do tho work. The rest of the road is in good order. Tauranga and Tapapa Road. —No work has been done during last year: the section of 8|- miles already formed ia in good order. Tauranga and Judea Road. —This is now being maintained by the Highway Board, who are improving the grades on tho north side of the Kopurcrcroa swamp. It is in good order. Opotiki and JFaioeka Road, Five Miles. —On this, 23: chains of formation have'* been executed, 38 foot wide; earthwork, 781 cubic yards; and one box culvert Greeted by Armed Constabulary stationed at Opotiki. Total completed, 2 miles G 1 chains, including 70 foot of truss and plain bridging. This part is in cood order.

Whahdane and Oh ape Horse Road. — One bridge, erected on this line some years ago by the military, became dangerous through decay of inferior timber. It has been replaced by another bridge built of heart of kauri, the work being done by Armed Constabulary stationed at 'Whakatane, who have also maintained the road.

MuiapiU and Jlaketu. —Eoad generally in good repair. Olointroa Horse Hoad. -—Projected over the ranges toward the Thames. No work has yet been done on this road, the natives still maintaining their

opp<"-ii:o]L Te Toko and O-dalr/i Hoad. —Thirtyono and a half inihu. During tin* year two miDs haw been properly formed, making the total length of

improvements "about twelve miles formed and graded, 18 feet wide, and 19} miles roughly executed, including i>o.} feet of plain bridging. Ivwthwork 1.707 cubic yards, and 132 chains of formation, were executed by the Native Armed Constabulary, ■ under Captain Prceec. This lino is now being continued towards Tairpo, under the mime of Gah'.U ■■ and Opcpe Hoad, forty miles. This is being formed in such places only as are necessary. The work was begun in April by the Ngatimaim natives, who have formed -1 miles 73} chains, including 2,180 cubic yards of earth-weak:. This is in good order. Whakatiirw and Tc Td\> Hoad, —This is being altered from a horse into a dray road, but only 51 chains have been executed during the past year, making 10 miles, 10 chains, formed 20 fuel, wide; earthwork in embankments in swamp, d,9(jG cubic yards, and in side cuttings 8,000 yards. Timber for bridges, delivered at their sites, 8,000 feet.