WORK OF THE MONTH

Waipa Post, Volume 31, Issue 1764, 29 May 1926, Page 7

WORK OF THE MONTH

l.\ OTOJtOHAXtiA ,COUNTY

ENGINEER'S REPORT TO COUNCIL,

At the last meeting of the Otorohanga County Council the. engineer (Mr E. R. Gould) presented the following report dealing with work in the county during the past month: TE RA'U-A-MOA RIDING.

Since last meeting the usual maintenance and repair work hate been carritd out in this riding, attention being given tc the metalled roads. The recent wet weather has put the clay roads in a muddy condition. To keep these in anything like passable order for motor traffic during the winter months is beyond the resources of the riding fund, and, therefore very little in that connection can be undertaken. The Highways Board has intimated tha ttemporary work such as filling bad ruts with fern and scrub will not be recognised by the Board if done, and the cost must be entirely borne by the Council. WHAREPAPA RIDING.

The work crone in this rid.ing has been chiefly repairs to the .main highway, which are now nearly completed for the time being. Repairs are required to the metalled portion of the Te Kawa-Ngaroma Road, and tltetee will be undertaken in the course of a few days. As there is a prospect of obtaining th eloan money required for the completion of the metalling on the Te Kawa-Ngaroma Road the Public Works Department has been asked to issue authority for the £SOO voted last year. MANGAORONGO RIDING.

Owing to wet weather setting in, Mr Lurman has been unable to proceed with lifs metalling contract on the Gorge Road, and, it is very doubtful now if any more metalling can be clone on this road before next summer. A commencement was made with the building of a large concrete culvert on the main highway to replace an old bridge, but the weather ha s delayed the work, as it has also done in connection with metal repairs to this road. On the Puketarata Road there are still five chains of metalling to be done to complete the contract in hand. This will be done as soon as t'he weather Itakes up and suitable material is available. * HONIKIWI RIDING.

Metal repairs have been undertaken on the Honikiwi Road, and with the exception of an odd place or two the road is in good order throughout. Repairs have also been effected to the Oamaru Road.. The Ouruwhero Road is now showing signs of wear, and repairs will be undertaken very soon. WAIPA RIDING. Owing to wet weather the contractor has been unable to start his metalling contract on Barber's Road, and it is very doubtful if a start will now be made until next summer. Mr Lurman has still about six chains to do to complete his contract on the Puketawai Road, and this work he hopes to do a's soon as the weather permits. Mr Kino's metalling contract on the Mangawhero Road is also held up on account of the weather. Plans and specifications for completing the whole of the formation and bridge work on the latter road have been forwarded to the Public Works Department for approval, and on receipt of the necessary authority the work will be put in hand. The Public Works Department states in reply to inquiry that it' will in all probability require the whole of the £9OO which the Council raised to complete the bridge.' and approaches over the Waipa River at Toa's. Metal repairs are required on the Otewa Road and on the main highway, and these will be undertaken as the river becomes low enough to enable shingle to be obtained.. GENERAL. The pound has been erected and is ready for use. A shed for the motor truck has been built on the pound site. This was urgently required, and is in a convenient position. The motor truck has been used constantly during the month for the cartage of materials and metal, and is proving a good investment for the Council. The report was adopted,.