ENGINEERS REPORT.

Northland Age, Volume 19, Issue 30, 27 October 1921, Page 7

ENGINEERS REPORT.

WORKS COMPLETED. I have terminated the Concretepipe making Contract held by Mr T. Broadbent. lam not satisfied with either the design or method of making these Pipes, and intend to go into the whole question of how,when,and where, concrete pipes are to be made for Use in this County. The Councils share of the work on the Awanui-Kaingaroa Road is practically finished for this year, and Laxon’s Roadmaking Gang are to shift on to the Kai-taia-Wainui Junction Roadworks on Monday next. WORKS IN PROGRESS. Mr G. J. Thompson’s Contract fftr Forming and Culverting the Awanui-Kaingaroa* Road is making satisfactory progress, and should be finished in two or three weeks. Whilst on the subject of this Contract I consider the Lands Dept, should be written to and asked to complete the Bridge over the “Big Cut ”on the California Flat.

Mr Coghlan’s Contract tor the crushing of Pukepoto metal .is going along slowly; he seems to be having a difficulty in getting suitable labour. Ido not propose to bustle him for -a few weeks yet.

Mr Brookes’ Contract for the supply of Spawls has not made much headway since last meeting; he is making a very honest endeavour to get more Transport plant, and I am giving him a chance to make good. WORKS PROPOSED.

Plans, Specifications,Schedules etc., have been prepared for the undermentioned works, and Tenders have been called,returnable on the 22nd inst., Contract No. 1/21 Grading and Forming 1% miles of theKaitaiaWainui Junction Road. Contract No. 2/21 Carting and Delivering 1800 cubic yards Road metal from Pukepoto Quarry, for use on Contract No. 1/21. Contract No. 3/21 Supplying and delivering 2000 cubic yards of spawls, roadmetal, or shingle, for use in the vicinity of Awanui. I do not propose going on with any other works until such time as we are notified that Parliament has made us Free Grants, £ for £ subsidies, or otherwise. As soon as the weather takes up I propose starting metal carting on the Kaitaia-Herekino Road.

CONCLUSION. ■ Owing to want of funds there is no maintenance work being done in any part or the County, and the Roads are going back

rapidly; I must warn the Council that provision must be made to properly maintain all main traffic ways through the Winter, or a Re-construction of the Roads will be necessary in a very short time, and this will be a very costly matter under the present circumstances and conditions of finance. I wish to remark in closing this Report that I have been almost continuously engaged in the Office rearranging and organising the work of the CountyEngineers’ Office, and with the generous assistance and co-ordination of Mr McKinnon hope to have things on a businesslike footing in a month or two.