MASTERTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3018, 14 October 1908, Page 3

MASTERTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

ENGINEER'S REPORT. The following report by the County eneineer (Mr D. McLachlan) was adopted at the meeting of the County Council yesterday : Opaki Riding. Bothamley's Road Deviation, Contract No. 178.—1 inspected the above work on the Bth instant, and found that it was complete with the exception of some stone breaking, which may be done during the month's maintenance. Metal repairs have been effected to the weaker portions of the Upper Fernridge Road, and also to the Black Creek Road. Te Whiti Riding. Weraiti Road, Contract No. 135. —llO chains of metalling, etc. The contractor is a* present reshaping tha road preparatory to laying the metal. I purpose, during the latter end of the week, making an exhaustive prospect for limestone in the vicinity of the Weraiti Saddle.

Contract No. 168, building two bridges.--The earth work approaches to the 65 feet truss have been finished, and I have had the surface metalled by day labour. I have also had the deep ruts of the road in the vicinity of the bridge repaired with metal.

Pa Karaka Road.—ln terms of Mr Donald's offer, reported at last meeting, the remaining unformed length of the above road has been graded. A cutting and stone work, giving access to the Waingawa River from South Road, was completed last month.

Kangitumau Riding,

Wangaehu Road, Contract No. 145, metalling, etc., 91 chains of road.—The contract, which has been in abeyance since last autumn, was recommenced at the beginning of this month. The contractor assures j me that he will, weather permitting, proceed vigorously with the work. Te Ore Ore-Bideford Road.—Repairs have been effected to narrow portions and bad turns of the road between the Wangaehu and mile peg 7. I beg ts direct the Council's attention to the necessity for rebuilding a small platform bridge near Mr George McKay's. The structure is of light design, and the timbers in it are very brittle from age. —The Engineer was instructed to carry out the work. Alfredton Riding. Saunder's Road, proposed expenditure of accrued thirds.—l inspected the line at the beginning of this month, with a view to carrying out the settlers' request, but from the rough precipitous nature of the country, concluded that the expenditure ; of the amount available would not be of service to anyone, being insufficient to open up half the length of track on the surveyed line, and in all probability the greater portion of it would, after the first winter, be closed with slips. ' I therefore conferred with the settlers interested, and they acquiesced to the abandonment of the surveyed line for the purpose of a bridle track, if a workable track could be obtained along some of the ridges to the west. From inspection of a ridge which runs almost parallel, and on the western side of Saunders Read, I ■ found a very good bridle track with j the least length of formation obtain- > able to connect with the present, formedtrack near Morris' old homestead. The proposed line would pass through the properties of Messrs Kemp and Davis, who are quite agreeable to the proposal. j The Crown has, I understand, reserved the right to take a road line'

through this property. It will be necessary to get the Commissioner of l Crown Land's assent to the proposal should the Council approve of the alternative scheme. The Government Inspector of Roads

is expending a grant on metalling on Mr Algie's frontage. Two of the County roadmen, for the past fortnight, have been engaged in preparing the formation in advance of metallu.g. Hutewai -and Puketoi Roads.—ln concurrence with Mr Murray, I have arranged with the settlers to execute repairs along three miles of the above roads, which are at present in a very bad state. A portion of the , Puketoi Road, recently taken over ! by the Council, requires further culverting. The grade along the siding being tolerably steep, the water should be turned off at intervals of ; about four chains. Some of the accrued thirds from the sections adjoining should, I think, be made available for culverting and improving the formation. Alfredton-Weber Road.—The unmetalled length north of SVaitawhiti is in a very rough condition. Heavy laden store brakes have been traversing the road throughout the winter, and it is deeply rutted in places. On the Rakanui end, the road has entirely slipped away from the water-table, and will require a new culvert and constructing in the solid. —It was decided to expend any thirds available on the work. Wainuioru Riding. Weraiti-Brancepeth Road. —The removal of slips and general repairs are being effected to the section of the road east of the Taueru. Blairlogie-East Coast Road. —Improvements to the sharp angles on the Blairlogie Hill have been effected. The men have also been employed in removing stone from the bed of the Blairlogie Creek, and placing it on the weaker toes of the banks with the*object of protecting the roadway above. Mr Strachan, the Government Surveyor, has been on the ground and legalised a road to Riversdale, ard a portion of the main road from its junction to the Longhill deviation.