WAIKOHU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 13306, 16 February 1914, Page 4

WAIKOHU COUNTY COUNCIL.

ENGINEER'S REPORT. *

Mr J. Mouat, County Engineer, submitted the following report to the Waikohu County Council last week:—

Maintenance: The grader parly has finished grading on the Waipaoa river road and the Mangamaia road, and is at present motaMiiuj wherever required. The repair gang has almost completed the necessary work on the Kanakanaia road; this work consists of re-forming ahead ot the metalling, The roads every-, where throughout" tlie County are m excellent condition and shape to meet any contingencies m tli'o way of heavy rain, etc.' '

Contracts: Contract 129, Waiapu inland road, J. Carmody (Government grant)— Contractor has reported completion of the work. Contract 130, otoko-Waikohu road, J. 11. McGregor (thirds account)— Metalling is almost finished. Contract 133, Matawai township streets, Jas. Ashby (general account)— Contractor has made good 'progress. Contract 135, Kanakanaia bridges;; J. A. Nicol (loan account)— Work is proceeding slowly. Contracts 130 and 137, Matawai-Tahora road, D. S. Snow (loan: account)— One inilo of felling and logging 'up and 20 chains of formation are nearly complete. Contract 138, Mata-wai-Tahora road. P. Dunphy (loan account)— Fifty-six chains of formation work done. Contract 140, ■■ Motu front road, James Ashby (general account)— Contractor has replaced one bridge and repaired a second one. • Contract 141, Kanakanaia road, J. Guthrie (general account) — Contractor has made good progress with tho metalling, v Cxvntraet 143. Motu Junction '-metalling, Shephard (Government subsJdy)-^Gontractor has opened . up the quarry at Mr Richardson's and is knapping metal. Contract 144, Whareko-* pae road metalling, - G. Bell and Sons (Government subsidy)— Contractors have commenced work.

Bridges: During the month the design, estimates and schedules of two suspension bridges have bean taken m hand, and are nearly complete. I furnish herewith details of the proposed Wharekopac suspension bridge. Re the Mangamaia 'bridge, the ironwork has been ordered at a satisfactory price, but the timber has not yet been secured. During the past fortnight the small bridge, near the saleyards at Motu was reported unsafe. An inspection confirmed the report, and a gang' is at work replacing the superstructure. Birch" is being used.

Motuliora: "was held at the Gisbojrne Borough Chambers at 3.30 p.m. on the 9th inst. The "Mayor ' and the chairmen of thc ; Cook and Waikohu County Councils were present with respecltve engineers. It was decided to bring ih for experimental' purposes 110 bubic| yards of Motuhpra metal, to be placed , upon one. of the streets qf Gisborne. It was decided to apportion the cost on •■'the quarter, quarter, half basis, the Borouprh paying the half share./

Puha windmill: Tenders wore called for this' work, but owing to the prices quoted it was decided to purchase the plant and erect it. Timber was ordered and delivered m Gisborne; it is m the hands of the Railway Department, and when and where it will bo delivered no one can says.. Timber trucks seem to be more profitably used as passenger coaches than as timber trucks.

Land Fund: I would ask that the Finance Committee be instructed to meet to deal with the,- above question.