ENGINEER'S REPORT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 28, 28 November 1879, Page 2

ENGINEER'S REPORT.

I beg to state the roads generally throughout the County aro in a fair state of repair. Nathan has commenced his contract of road formation on Kiwitea Road. This work is being done out of funds from General Government grant ; there are 12 men at work and two drays. The contractor has not" been *ble able to push on with the work very rapidly, on account of tho amount of wot weather.

I have not succeeded in getting the metal ling on Kimbolton Road, Feilding, done yet, as the weather is unfavorable for cart ing gravel. Fowell has net yet started tho metalling on Bradley 's contract on the Kimbolton Road, the pits being full of water.

Bryant has been pushing on with the formation and metalling on PalmerstonFoxton Road j he is now stopped for a short time through rain. Tho contract will be finished in about a week, I expect, if the wea+her improves. •

The contractor for construction of groin in Oroua River at Awahuri has carted a number of poles and some manuka on to the ground near the site, but is unable to start work through the fresh in the river. I have placed S. Rogers on this work to see that it is earned out fuithf ully, it being a piece of work that must be securely nut together.

A slight mishap occurred at Foxton ferry Vy a schooner drif ting-down on to the wire rope, carrying away a back gay, and doing other damage to about £4. Bo we, the ferryman, sued the oaptaia of the

schooner, and obtained judgment for the abovo amount.

I have had two new ferryboards painted — one at Foxton and the other at Ohau. This makes the whole of the boards com - plete with the exception of the one at Otaki, which needs the name of the ferryman there lo be painted on ifc. This I intend to have done on my next visit to Otaki. I have during the month ridden over the roads from Foxton to the northern boundary of Kiwitea, and have had several new culverts placed under Couuty roads. Mr Flyijer has finished the survey of the OfcakiFoxton road, and prepared a rough plan of same. He will start at onco to prepare plans for the purpose of gazetting this road, and then commence the survey from Ofcalri to Waikanae.

The formation on Fagan's line, Sandon, (a Highways road) ia completed, for which a grant from this Council was made. I have certified to tho amount of work done.

I would strongly urge the calling for tenders at ouce for that poition of tho Otaki-Foxton road on tha northern side of the river, as by so doing contractors will have the whole of the summer to do the work.

Another piece of work that requires letting iit once is the metalling of a portion of the FoxtonSanson road, inKawu Kawa riding, being that mile of clay formation from the bush near S&nson towards Foxton. This is one of the worst parts of this road, and one that is greatly used.

I hay« called tenders for bush-felling on road lines in Tuonui riding. H. J. Hayn-s. Engineer to Council.