HOROWHENUA COUNTY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 246, 16 September 1932, Page 12

HOROWHENUA COUNTY.

REPORT ON WORKS.

At the meeting of the Plorowhenua County Council, the engineer (Mr J. T. M. Brewster) reported inter alia for the past month: Tokomaru Riding.—During the heavy rains, small slips came down on various district roads. The greatest amount of damage was on Shannon East Road, but not in any case were the slips or washouts of such a naturo that traffic could not negotiate the roads with caro. Maintenance metal has been put on No. 60 and No. 59 main highways, Old Foxton, Coley’s, Shannon East, Okuku and Otaura roads. Further maintenance metal will be oarted out at an early date. The decking on Dalzell’s bridge on No. 60 Main Highway gave out and had to be renewed. When doing this work, I had the bridge further strengthened, which has furthered tho life of the bridge for two years. On account of the nature of the repairs undertaken, the Main Highways Board have cancoiled an item on the current year’s estimates of £75, £3 for £l, on account. However, £IOO would not be sufficient to reconstruct this bridge in reinforced concrete, as suggested. The heavy flooding of tho district during tho month caused water to cover No. 60 main highway near tho Kara bridge. I believe the flooding was caused through the failure of a stopbank. Whirokino Riding: General maintenance has been carried out. Maintenance metal, under contract, has been put 1 on Ohau West, Soldiers’, Hogg’s and Ohau East roads. A certain amount of metal patching is being done on Gladstone .Road. Lupins have been cut back on Waitarero Beach Road. Repairs liavo been carried out at tho upper end of Florida Road.” Cr. Best called attention to an awkward position which might arise in the event of the breaking of the stopbank near the Kara bridge. The Alakerua Drainage Board, he said, refused liability in connection with that bank, which protected the main highway, but which had been erected in tho first instance to bank a stream. The breach had been patched with sandbags, tow and fibre. If the bank broke, he thought that the whole of the road would be flooded. Cr Colquhoun brought to the council’s notice the danger of the Ohau River breaking through at Mulmnoa East—near the site of tho bridge which is about to be replaced—and changing its course. His attention had. been called to this possibility by Messrs R. A. Rolston and A. S. Death. —The matter was referred to the epgineer for investigation. I