THE ENGINEERS' REPORTS.

Colonist, Volume XLVI, Issue 10659, 6 March 1903, Page 3

THE ENGINEERS' REPORTS.

The Engineer (Mr j. G. Littlejolm) reported that he had since the previous ineeting visited the Motupiko and Wangapeka districts; and had attended to xnost of the matters in those districts concerning which he had had instructions. These included Gibbs', Meads', Cemetery, and Stanley Brook roads ; Motupiko foot bridge ; Poverty Creek bridge, Sherry ; Upper Motupiko and Glen Rae Grants ; Cowin's cutting : Wilkinson's bontract Upper Tadmor, and Wilkinson and Taylor's contract ; and the Annesbrook Bridget— Authority .had been received for the White Pine Swamp grant which had been obtained by the settlers interested without reference to the Council, and no information YfS2 s.\ tZZS. ?s YT~-t the money was obtained for.— The line along Hewetson's bank had been cleared and the work would be laid Out and tenders called by next meeting.—The work on the Nelson-Blen-heim road from Teal bridge to Eai Saddle had been arranged, and fair progress was being made. — With regard to Ross' road, Moutere, Mr C. J. Harley stated that he was unable to make any cohbessibh on thfe point of compensation, and that application should be made to his brother. — Notice had been served on Mr York, Riwaka, re clearing watertable, and he recommended now that the Council should refer the matter to its solicitor with % view to taking action against him unless the obstruction is moved forthwith.— The Work of protecting the Kiwaka bridge should now be proceeded with. Part of the £ for £ grant for the Takaka-Riwaka road might be obtained for this work which he proposed to lay out and proceed with as soon as possible. — A large amount of detail as to the progress of works etc., throughout the County was also appended. The Engineer made several special reports as follows : — Motupiko foot bridge :— There is a good site a chain or two below the present crossing. The length between the anchor posts would be 300 feet. The banks' would require to be protected and planted with willows. The cost would be bridge about £-100, protective works £50. The protective work 9hould be done in any case so as to prevent the river returning to the channel alongside' the main road and the cost would be a legitimate charge against the grant. Road to Mr Gibbs' land, Motupiko : —Mr Gibbs uses a road through his own property at present, and I cannot see that he suffers any great hardship, but he is entitled to use road through Mead's land if he so wishes. The present road is in a convenient position, but would badly sever the property passed through. As the Council is unable to complete the agreement to close this road it should, in justice, endeavor to obtain an alteration so as to less injuriously affect the property, which could be done by taking the road along the boundary fence to the point where the present road crosses it. I cannot recommend that it should be taken right to the river along the fence. Road to H. Mead's land :— I found the pegs still in position and the lines quite easy to find. Access to Ellis' land, Upper Tadmor :— I have surveyed a site for the proposed bridge. The span is 31 feet with short earthwork approaches on each side. I have appointed Mr G. Ellis, dayman for the Upper Tadmor road from the Forks to Hope June tion.

Government grants : — Applications for Government grants for the coming year shou l^ be considered at an early date so as to have the schedule ready. I would ask the Council if it wishes to adhere to its decision to refuse to deal with grants obtained otherwise than by application made through the Council. If so the Chief Engineer should be notified so that he can make provision for expending same.

Encroachment of river at Appleby bridge: — The property from whch the fencing is extended is bounded by a road along the river bank, and the settler has no power or right to extend his fence to the river bed. I have made careful measurements along the Appleby road frontage, and the old fence on the top of the terrace appears to be the correct boundary of this property. It is therefore proposed by the members so authorised by the Council to order the immediate removal of the fence.

I" Cemetery road, Motupiko : — It was conceded to me that the repairs to this road should be a test case, contract versus day labor. I placed Mr A. Davies, of Dovedale, in charge, allowing him to select his own assistants. I gave him the specifications exactly as submitted to the public for tender, witn instuctions that he was to adhere strictly to them for the first 31 chains, the length for which tenders were called. He was to form the road for the rest of the way as far as the available funds would permit. Results show that there was no foundation for the scare that it would be necessary to cut into the batters for a great part of the way ; and that it would tak© all the money to do a fraction of .the work. At contract prices the money would not have reached the top of the hill. The work has been taken to the foot of the hill on the far aide, and there is a small balance left. Tenders for the first 31 chains were £24 and £31, and an'ofier was also received to do the balance at 8s per chain. My estimate was £18 7s for the first 31 chains, and 5s per chain for the balance. The work has been done at £18 6s 6d, or under 12s 2d per chain, for the first 31 chains, and £36 7s 9d, or under 5s lOd per chain, for the remaining 126 chains. Motueka Valley road :— I have received a communication calling attention to the narrowness and consequent dangers of this road at the various bluffs along the river, Pocock's, O'Brien's, and Marshall's being referred to. In each case the

formation is very narrow, as little as 8 feet being available in one place. With sheer drops of 30 or 40 feet itito the river. The Overseer has taken sufficient notes to admit approximate estimates being given as follows: For widening and fencing— Pocock'Si £11 s O'Brien's, £12; and Marshall's, £20. I would. commend these works as highly desirous,- and to a large extent necessary: Timber supply :— This is becoming a serious question. The kind of timber used in bridges and culverts is not much used for other purposes, buo the supply, especially in the ..Waimeas, appears to be getting very short, and the sawmillers appeared to have a footed objection to cutting birch. Delays and uncertainty of delivery militate against the expenditure in carrying out works. The difficulty is added tolby^the fact that previous works have been executed -^with timbers of various sizes. The Pigeon Valley bridge as an instance, the decking varies from 6 to 12 inch planks, and other bridges have various sizes .of deck planks, and it was impossible to keep, a supply on hand under these conditions. In all new work. I made it a rule to use only 9 x 12 decking, and in time uniformity will be obtained and a reserve supply be provided. In the meantime the exists, and what may often be attributed to neglect on the part of the Overseer or myself is really due to the non delivery of orders." Cr Rollet suggested that an endeavor should be made to arrange with Mr Harford for a deviation at Poverty CreeK in order to obtain a rock bound site for the bridge. — Referred to the Engineer to report uDon- he fsTCrii 1^ the suggestion. *Cr' Macmahon, with reiereuGG tC footbridge and protective works at Upper Motupiko. said that the bridge was no.t to* be thought of* but the protective wofk would be valuable;-— Resolved to have the protective work only done, the expenditure, to come out of grant for the Upper Motupiko road.

Kesolved, with regard to bridge to Ellis'sj Upper Tadrnorj to advance^ £10, a like sum to come otlfc of thirds, and Mr Ellis to find the timber. The £10 advanced to be repaid out of thirds as they come in.

With regard to the test case, day labor versus contract, Cr Maemahon wished it to be known that the men who had been engaged upon the work were 'probably the best men who could be obtained in the County, the Engineer could not expect to obtain aa good results in every case. Cr Gill said that there was a'disinclination on the part of contractors to tender for works on account of the stringency of the Engineer's specifications, which were described as not leaving a man's soul his own; Cr Everett said that the position was that inspection was now strict, which was a thing to be thankful for, and no £ apent on a job was of more value than that spent on efficient inpection. The Council should congratulate itself on having this, for though admittedly contracts would cost more in the first instance, as scamping would be made impossible, the ultimate gain was such that the Council greatly benefitted. Cr Franklyn strongly supported Cr Everett's remarks.

Cr Gill said that he did not find fault with the Engineer; he simply mentioned a fact that existed. ,

Cr Beuke objected to anything in the way of a slur being placed on any former Inspector. The Inspector said that he agreed to a certain extent with what had been stated by Cr Macmahon, but on the whole he would undertake to do work thirty per cent cheaper by day labor than by contract. Cr Gill disagreed with the Engineer's statement, and on the gravelling would, if the specifications were reasonably drawn* undertake to save nearly forty per cent on the day work.

"With regard to the Motueka Valley river road bluffs, Cr Everett strongly urged that something should be done to O'Brien's bluff, to the extent of £25 if necessary, and he moved that the Engineer be empowered to spend up to £25 on that particular point, and any small sum necessary to improve the road at the two other points mentioned. Seconded by Cr Beuke, supported by the Chairman, and carried unanimously. There was considerable discussion on the timber supply question, and it was resolved in the end, on the motion of Cr Everett, seconded by Cr Gill, that if any difficulty was experienced in future by the Engineer in getting timber locally, he have a free hand to get the timber required from the West Coast, or elsewhere.

. Messrs F. Mead and F. M. Brewerton waited upon the Council with regard to the road asked for by Mr W. Gibbs, Motupiko, which passes through Mr Mead's land, at Motupiko. An authority from the old Upper Motueka Valley Road Board to Mr Mead to close the old road in exchange for the present line was produced, and the matter was considered for some time.

After the deputation had withdrawn, the Engineer said that at the time of making his report he was not aware of the existence of tie argeement with the Upper Motueka Valley Road Board. After discussion, it was resolved that in view of the agreement mentioned the Council declines to open the road as asked for by Mr Gibbs.

The Engineer's reports were, as amended and added to, then adopted. THE MOUTERE RIVER ENTRANCE. ' The matter of the.Moutere River entrance channel was brought up by Cr Everett, who wished to know the position Mr Libtlejohn said that Mr Brougham, without making any formal objection, had intimated that he preferred the channel not to interfere with his land. Or ETerofct said the position was that Mr Tarrant's scnenie t, OO UD -t> approved by the settlers at the entrance, and they would not give the Council an indemnity against possible damage. The matter was then referred to the Engineer, who reported to the Council, and the matter was again referred to him. The settlers could not be expected to give an indemnity until a complete scheme was placed before them. Cr Beuke moved that immediate steps be taken to give effect to the resolution of November 6th t that the consent in writing be obtained of the settlers referred to, Cr Everett moved, as the best solution of the difficnlty, that it be an instruction to the Engineer to drop other work and prepare a scheme to be submitted to the interested parties, and their consent or

otherwise [(Secured before next meeting of the^ Council,

Cr Maemahon seconded the motion, tyhich. was supported by other Councilors, whp wished to have some finality arrived at.

Cr Beuke pointed out that a new scheme would mean indefinite delay, as the approval of the Government would be necessary* apd he objected to thft continuous shelving. He also; Wished to know why the settlers interested had not been approached for their consent.

The Engineer, by request, explained that the j&ttler& had not been approached because there was really nothing to be placed before them, though he had endeavored Tto see some of them when visiting the Mou-j tore. He would undertake to prepare"^ scheme, see the settlers interested, and if the same was approved by the Council, get the necessary Government approval within three . or four days. Cr Everett's motion was then put ftnd carried, the division called for showing Cr Beuke as the only dissentinent. ' cdRRESPONDENCE.

Mr C. H. Webbrßowen, Receiver of Gold Revenue, reported that rents overdue by Messrs Young and Me-" Leod, of Wanganui, had not been paid.— Resolyied to authorise the Receiver to sue for recovery. Messrs Wilkes asked for access to their land, Pretty Bridge ValleysReferred to Engineer. The Registrar of Deeds advised that the dedication of land in .the Mars^ den estate, Stoke, for road purposes had .bssn Resolved that the Engineer interview Messrs Bisley Bros, and report to the next meeting of th' 6; .Council* : .. . ■:

Mr Geos^s Higgins, Spring' Grove,' Wrole regarding gorse on road fronting Mr Tunnicliffe's. — Resolved to refer the writer to the Stock Department.

Mr R. Eban, Stanley Brook, asked to have thirds spent on road leading to his property*— The Engineer explained that k th& Council could only spend the thirds as allocated and approved by ths Lands Department.— Resolved to inform the writer that the thirds would be spent according to schedule... . .

• Mr Pahl, Tadinor, asked for. Angle t#gs to put *\n on th© road line.— The Engineer said that it would be absolute waste of time to. do so. The road was a hillside sidling, and Mr Pahl was entitled to fence", keeping the. fences as near as possible half ft chain .distant^ from the 'Centre of the fornXation.— Ifc was agreed to inform Mr Pahl of this fact.

A claim by Mr A. B. Hall for com-; pensation . for. injury, sustained i through his horse shyingat a Stack ■ of timber placed t oft .the Side of the Rocks road was referred to the City Council, as the portion of the roa^ \ referred to was, by agreement, under i the jurisdiction of the City Council. The Cpuncil wished it to be understood that they had not any wish /to shirk any responsibility, or shunt the matter on to the City Council. Mr J. W. Sutcliffe, the only applicant, was appointed ranger for tfeo Motueka Riding. Mr James Chandler, junior, was granted permission to erect gate across road, Wangapeka, on the usual conditions. >^ Mr W. H. Lines, Sberry, asked for a deviation in the line of road leading to his property.— Resolved that thirds be allocated to making a road to section 27 of Mr Lines' property. Mr W. R. May complained that overflow water from the creek on the roadside was doing damage to his Wakapuaka property.— Cr Gill explained that some water tabling would meet the case, and if this 'was done Mr May had agreed to provide pipes for crossings. — Agreed to do the work on condition that the I Council recognised no, responsibilty with regard to the crossinga. | Mr Alex. "White applied for permission to erect gates on the old IWaiwerO. rpad. — Argeed to on the ! nsual conditions.

Mr Edwin Holdaway, Collector of dog-tax for the Moueka Riding, applied . for an additional penny for registration. — Agrreed to.

MEMBERS' j BUSINESS,

Cr Rollet drew aattention to the necessity for metalling the remaining portion of the Upper Tadrnor road, and moved that tenders be called for the work, about 10 chains. — Agred to. .Cr Maemahon drew attention to the state of the Upper Motueka Valley road beyond Wilkinson's contract towards Racy's saddle.—Referred .to. the Engineer. Cr Maemahon stated that Mr Neville had authority to visit Wangapeka with respect to proposed deviation on Mr Tinline's behalf.

Cr Beuke. moved that the deputation already appointed wait upon Mr Godfrey Harley with respect to compensation for deviation, Ross's road.

The Chairman- said that he had interviewed Mr McKenzie, M.H.R., relative to making application for a grant for the Forks road, Wairpa Gorge. It was co use making application for a grant for repairs, but Mr ! McKenzie, and possibly Mr Graham would visit the locality with him shortly. , CrGill asked that something should be done to Sharland's road, Maitai Valley, stating that Messrs Sharland and Bisley were willing to contribute £15 in cash if the Council would carry out the work previously mentioned by the Council. Mr Bisley said that if the work was carried higher up the contribution would be £25.— Resolved to call for tenders for -work to be laid off by the Engineer.

iCr Gill asked that the culvert in the bend on the town side of the Cemetery be lengthened.— Eeferred to the Engineer. * Cr Everett asked that the Motueka bridge be screwed up as soon as possible. He also explained that the grant . for the "White Pine Swamp road was,to cut down the hill leading to Ngatimoti, and he sueces^ that the Engineer sHOUId 866 Mr Jbiin Cluy. Tne same Councilor also referred to the bad state of the main ' road ..through the Lower Moutere, ; the trunk road, indeed, was in a bad state all through, and it seemed to him that, some extraordinay effort should be taken to obtain the revenue ; they must get more revenue, or the roads must go short.

Cr JEveretfc then referred to the necessity of a of the County, as things now were there was a great inequality and sacrifice, the assessment in some ridings being top low. It was eight years, since the present assessment was made, and he moved that in the. opinion of the Council the time has now arrived for a re-assessment of the value of the land, and that representations ba, made to the Government to that effect. ..,-... ,

Pr Beuke said that he had, earlier ini the day, referred to theMputere road. ;• He supported, j'the motion,.. as no doubt the Ooiihcil was losing revenue in ?6m& districts. . . Cr Gill strongly supported the motion, as he considered the new districts, where, a lot of money had be.en spent, .were not assessed as they; should be. pf Fra^yn bp'pos f ed the.motion, considering "'{Eat his Riding was already, ovjer-valued, and values wera neiveriawexed.^ *i- . ~- .■■—s

prJ\tacmahon^ateo~opposed, and, referring to the back country, said that the Noxious Weeds Bill had put g fresh aspect 90 the matter, and on

•.account of Noxious weeds therfeo^ a I lot of the land would have to b$ valued lower than evier. He thought an estimate of the cost of. revaluation should first be obtained. , .

\ It was stated that the cogt of th© |last valuation was between £600 and £700, of which the Council paid on'ejthird. The Chairman then ruled that Cr Everett would require' to give notice of his moton, and this was accordingly done. TfiHDfeßS}.

The tender of Mr G. G. Hodgkinson, for £30 for bushfelling .and stuiriping on Glen Rae road, was accepted.

It was resolved [to authorise the Engineer to have the following works done by day work : Formation and metalling, Tadmor-Sherry road \ ditto, Thorpe-Churchill road ; ditto* Thorpe-Neudprf road. No tender being received for the latter two works. . . ...

The CoUn^U rose at 1,30 p.m.