ROAD MAKING IN TARANAKI.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 2337, 1 September 1875, Page 3

ROAD MAKING IN TARANAKI.

Tee following is a copy of Mr. Carring. ton's report ou the progress being made in the formation of roads in this Province, and is pttblished with the Public Works Statement : — Puhcarulie to New Plymouth. — No road work has been done on this section. Tho repairs to tho Urenni bridgo, in progress last year, wore completed in Jane, and tho bridgo roopened for traffic. Inland Boad. — Between New Plymouth and the Mountain Road, which it joins at Inglewood. Four bridges, in hand last year, have been constructed on this line — viz., at Upland Road, Mangonaia, Waiongona and Waiongouniti; and the bridge over tho Upper Waiwakaiho, also reported to be in progress last year, has been completed. 246£ chains of road formation, 10 feet wide, have been executed. The Manutahi bridge has also been built over the Waiongona, near the township of Manutahi, between New Plymouth and Waitara inland. Omata to Stony River. — Ninety-three chains of road have been gravelled. Stony Biver to Waiorongomai. — 115 chains have been formed, and 80 chains gravelled, the Natives allowing the work to proceed without interruption. Waiorongomai to Umuroa. — No actual road-making has been executed, but the worst parts of the track have been repaired by Native labour from time to time. On this section a site for a lighthouse has been seleoted at Cape Egtnont, and a sketch showing the site and the adjoiniug coast prepared for the Marine Department. Umuroa to Waingongoro. — 266^ chains of road have been formed, principally heavy through-cuttings, and 84 ohains have been gravelled. Tho approaches to the Punch u aud Otakeho bridges, in hand last yoar, have also been completed. It is satisfactory to be able to report that tho Natives during tho past year havo offered much less opposition to public works than formerly, and that they aro becoming alive to tho advan-

tages of roads and bridges, more especially as they are increasing the number of their teams. Judging from their present temper, there would be no difficulty in carrying ont any contract works required in their districts. Painting Bridges. — All the bridges between Kaihihi and W.aihi, nineteen in number, have been screwed up, and painted under contract, by Mr. T. B. Louisson, of Nelson, who has used throughout under approval, his Nelson hematite paint, which as far as our oxpei'ience shows will answer for such purposes admirably. Waingongoro to Patea. — 109 chains of road have been gravelled, and a small party of men have been kept employed on maintenance. The line of road throughout has been in good order until recently, but since the rains have set in the lately formed portious have become very soft and heavy for traffic. The gravelled portions are in good condition. Tenders have been accepted for gravelling 9-1-chains of road north of Carlyle, but most probably the work will be delayed until finer weather.

Mountain Boad, Southern Portion.*-' After this road had been felled and cleared as reported last year, it was discovered that, to make the line serviceable for railway purposes, some deviations would be necessary, particularly between the third and tenth mile from Hawera. Mr. Carrington was accordingly instructed to have a new line selected and surveyed, and this work ia now in progress. Tenders have been accepted for the formation of 209 chains of road between Hawera and the edge of the bush, but until more favourable weather should prevail not much progress will be made.

Tenders are also invited for the formation of the road through the Hawera township, towards which work the Hawera Road Commissioners will contributo the sum of £180 according to agreement.