COUNTY WORKS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 8, 20 December 1911, Page 5

COUNTY WORKS.

THE ENGINEER’S MONTHLY

REPORT

The monthly report of the Engineer Lo tiie Stratford County Council, submitted to tne Council this morning, s as follows:

Tenders.—The following have been invited, closing to-day:—Contract No. 851 (renewals of Waipuku Bridge, Mountain Road; contract No. 859 (straightening and cleaning Aiakuri Stream). Also, closing next Saturday: Contract No. 866 (Manga Road

formation)'. North Riding.—The crusliing for Boaconsfield and other roads is about completed at Mangonui site, and as soon as the weather will permit the plant will bo moved up York Road to commence crushing operations there. The York Bridge contract is in progress, all the timber having been cut, and being of splendid quality. South Riding.—The necessary timber for false deck to second bridge, ind for repairs to third bridge on Einaerty Road, has been ordered, and the ,vork in connection therewith will be put in hand as soon as it arrives. In connection with the damage done to i portion of Finnerty Road by cartage of metal over it, the contractor concerned did very,little to repair tlie said damage. I wrote to him re the matter, but could get no'Teply. 1 then, after consulting the 'Soutfi' Riding members, acquainted the County Solicitor with the position, and ho now aas the matter in hand. A letter on the subject is before yon to-day. East Riding.—The re-bnilding of Toko Stream bridge; Toko Road, is proceeding steadily, but great; difficulty is being experienced owing to the water, in obtaining the foundation for die south pier. Needham’s drainage contract at Gordon Road is about completed. Owing to the recent very broken weather; the small; 1 drainage” contract on Douglas Road has not yet been commenced. The work authorised on MatauMangoapa Road lias been carried out. The material for roadman's cottage it Horseshoe Bend has been ordered, ind the work will be put in hand as

soon as it arrives. West Riding.—The painting of Maagatoki Bridge has been commenced. Die work of tarring the decks of the midges on Opnnake Road further West will be proceeded with a little ater on.

1 havo interviewed the Postal authorities re the moving of a telephone 0010 near Cardiff, but understand that such moving will not take place :cr come time.

In company with Cr. Smith I. visitad that portion of Manaia Road where gravel had been taken without permission last year. As a result of such visit I can see no reason for dtering ray opinion and previous report on the matter, particularly as to the meeting prior to such report being submitted. The Council, after discussion, had considered that the valuation should be made not on a royalty basis, but on the assumption that the gravel taken would have at some future time to bo replaced from elsewhere.

After visiting Hastings Road I am of opinion that the metalling authorised could be carried out to greater advantage in the two hills on the road. Mangaelm Riding.—The Kaitieke Stream bridge an Mangaelm Road lias been completed. Owing to the men leaving practically nothing has as yet been done in connection with bridge it washout on Puniwhakau Road, and as to commence work now would interfere with the wool carting, I am holding it over until after New Year. In tlie meantime, however, I have inspected the present temporary structure and arranged with the foreman to keep it safe for existing traffic. A letter from Public Works Department is attached herewith, showing that there is a sufficient subsidy available for the metalling of the job on Mangaelm Road . I have had the length in question chained off and and that it is just a little over 12(3 chains.

The control of Finnorty Road and the enforcement of the maintenance danse against a contractor who had damaged the road was discussed. It was decided to instruct the solicitor to take proceedings.