COUNTY ENGINEER'S REPORT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8236, 14 September 1906, Page 7

COUNTY ENGINEER'S REPORT.

The County Engineer submitted the following report to the meeting , of the Masterton County Oounoil, *•• yesterday afternoon: — Opaki Kidiuß.—Te Mara Roa3, Contract No. 99 (thirds account): I inspected the above work on the Ist instant, and found the contractors were engaged finishing off the formation and culvortine; I further arranged for the expenditure of £lO by day labour in clearing timber aud draining in extension of the present oontraot. Te Mara-Kerawbakapapa Road: As instructed by the Council 1 visited the ground with Councillor Harris and arrauged with Mr MoLeod for the repairing and strengthening of the weaker portions on the above load; the amount agreed to be expended being £4O, of which Mr MeLeod consented to oonribute half. The weaker portions of the Fernridge and Dagg's Roads have been repaired with metal. Te Whiti Rifling.■— Mistertun-Wai-mntaßoad: The side widths east of the KuamahaDga Bridge approaoh have been considerably improved in the direction of getting a better drainage for the storm water, and a roughly formed footpath has been oousrucced along tne school frontage. The repairs to the Wangaehu Bridge were completed last week; it was further deemed necessary to protect the western bank from erosion by tne construction of a bolster of stone along the portion disturbed. The present structure, whioh is composed of three short spans is an unsuitable design, the piers, two of whioh are in the waterway, obstruct the floating timber which, after flood, accumulated in great quantity necessitating the uutting of logs into small lengths. This entails considerable labour and cost. As mnoh of the present understruoture is quite old it would be well to keep in view the possible necessity for th« reconstruction of this bridge at an early date. Te Ore Ore Estate Roads: I have defined the proposed deviation tnrough Mr J, 0. MoKillop's property, and after some consideration he has intimated that he will not accept the line as laid out; I would, therefore, recommend that the amount available be expended on the old line. The r.oad leading to Mr J. Brown's homestead has been reformed with the grader. Mr Robieson has sent in his contribution of £lO towards the formation of this road, and has signi tied his willingness to supplement it by £5 on the original basis. I have arranged to start the work next week, should the weather be favourable. Upper Taueru Riding.—Mangarai Road, contract No, 1)1 (L. and G.): The contractors are making steady progress with the formation, the timber for the culverts having teen delivered on the ground. Te Cre Ore - Bideford Road: Flans for the revised bridge site on the Glendbnald-Wairere Road are upon completion. Alfredtoo Riding. AlfredtouW*ber Road: With Or Warren's acquiescence, I have authorised the expenditure of a week's labour to open up the slips for light wheel traffic to the Akitio County Boundary. . Accrued thirds: I have received Messrs Fitzgerald and Dampneys Approval for the expenditure of their thirds in metalling the roadway south of the Akitio County Boundary with barnt papa, for ■ whioh tenders have been invited. Flat Bush Road, contract No. 90, 60.70 chains of formation, etc.: On my visit of inspection on the sth inatant the" contractor had broken ground over a length of 40 chains. The work is proceeding in a very dilatory manner. The contractor ■averß he is unable to get competent men. Wainuioru Riding. WeraitiFernyhurst Road, oontraot No. 94a, building a bridge over the Taueru River. The oontraotor is making satisfactory progress; the piers are all in position to receive the superstructure, for whioh substantial scaffolding is being plaoed to support the 120-feet chords. 1 have deemed it necessary, in the case of the main 45 ftet pier, to have five of the piles driven to a firmer foundation, whioh was reached at an average depth of 30 feet below the surface, thus entailing the splicing of the piles. Columba Road Extension.—l estimate the value of the sections nuoesBary to be formed (20 chains of formation, 16 feet wide with culverts, etc.) at £95. The remaining portion might be made fit for wheel traffic by plough and grader, at a cost of under £2O.