COUNTY ENGINEER'S REPORT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8462, 12 June 1907, Page 7

COUNTY ENGINEER'S REPORT.

The following report was submitted to the meeting of the Masterton County Council, yesterday afterby the County Engineer:— Opaki Riding.—Opaki District and Roads (contract No. 126, carting 350 cubic yards metal for repairs) is reported delivered with 131 cubic yards extra, which was necessary to mend the weaker portions of the road. Matahiwi Road (contract No. 129, delivering 810 cubic yard 3 of metal) is progressing as far as weather will permit. Upper Plain Road (contract No. 128, supplying 580 cubic yards of metal for repairs) was commenced on the Bth instant. As instructed by the Council I have examined the growth of willows in the vicinity of the Black Creek Bridge, and it is evident that they have°been planted with the object of the deepening and scourhvg Mck" of the creek, the efFect being, in cases of high flood, that the creek overflows the road at and below the bridge site. It would be better, in my opinion, to allow the creek to cut back and get sufficient capacity to carry the flood water although this would necessitate a longer span of bridge. The present span of 20 feet, however, is in a dilapidated condition, and provision will need to be made for a longer structure. Rangitumau Riding. -- Bluff to Rangitumau Road (Kopuaranga Bridge)—Stonewoi-k protection has been effected to the abutment on the Eastern bank, the structure redecked with white pine and a judicious overhauling has been made of the bridge. I would, however, direct the Council's attention to the fact that the structure is light, about 30 years erected, and ia incapable of being made durable for heavy traffic and provision for a new bridge should be made at an early date. Northcroft's Road—The clearing of water-tables and intruding slips, has been effected on above road. D The slips on the Wangaehu Road have been removed sufficiently to admit of wheel traffic. My attention has been directed by the Councillor for the Riding, to the threatened encroachment of the Ruamahanga River on the Matapihi Road; the river, although not actually on the road reserve, is running r parallel with it, and the bank is being gradually undermine J. I beg to recommend that authority be given for the expenditure of a sum of about £ls for the erection of a groin to delect the water.— The Council authorised the erection of a groin. Te Whiti Riding (Coiumba Stock Road)— The existing contract for formation and adverting is about completed, and it will be necessary (in order to make the road passable for vehicular, tlraffic) to take a cutting into the river, and improve some four or five lengths of the unformed ground. Wainuioru Riding. Kaiwhata Road (65 chains of formation and adverting) Satisfactory progress is being made with the formation. The erection of a 29-feet span bridge on the same road, near Homewood, has been reported finished by the contractor. The contract for metal repairs on W the Brancepeth Road has been reported completed by the spreader. Weraiti - Brancepeth Road (contract No.. 109) formation is rem- ported by the contractors ready for inspection. Contract No. 112—When I visited the above on the 25th ultimo, the work was complete with the exception of a few minor defects in the curves of the road, which the contractors undertook to remedy forthwith. Contract N0.113 (one mile of formation)— The contractors are making good headway with this work; a considerable length of the formation was benched out on my last inspection.

Surface repairs have been effected to the Pakaraka Road. Alfredton Riding. AlfredtonWefaer Road, Rakanui Section —Two frame culverts 3 feet by 2 feet, 40 feet and 50 feet long, respectively, under embankments in front of Mr Darlington's homestead, Jiave collapsed. Approximate cost of reconstruction, £l2O. I beg to direct the Council's attention to the magnitude of the damage, and that provision has not heen made in the annual estimates to meet it, but I understand that Mr Darlington consents to his thirds being used for the prupose. The whole road has been opened up for wheel traffic to this point. Castle Hill Road—The work of reconstructing the fords on the various crossings of the Tz Hoe and Castle Hill Creeks is being carried out as well as widening the road in dangerous parts. The Plat Bush, Ihuarua, Barton's Line, Mount Baker and Maungatakato Roads have been again opened for wheel traffic. The main sheds and yards of the public pound in Alfredton have been completed. The necessary boards with printed impounding fees and regulations are required as' well as' the metalling of the pound. The construction of about two chains of fence will be necessary to make a lead to the pound.—Authority was granted the Engineer to erect the necessary fence. Upper Taueru Riding.—Glen-Jon-ald-Wairere Bridge (contract No. 103) The structure is practically finished. Contract No. 107 (11 chains of earthwork approaches) is partly formed, bu i owing to the continuous wet weather the finishing of the work had to be abandoned for the season. The earthwork is, however, sufficiently advanced* to admit of passing over it. The timber for the reconstruction of large culverts on the GlendonaldWairere, Mangaparuparu and Miller's Roads, has been delivered, and the work of building will be pro ceeded with immediately. '