RURAL MATTERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20127, 21 April 1928, Page 9

RURAL MATTERS

WANGANUI COUNTY COUNCIL HOLDS MONTHLY MEETING "When t.hc Wanganui County Council met yesterday, Air A. D. Alackintosh (chairman), presided, others present being:—Messrs Gregor AlcGregor, 1). Mackintosh. D. AlcGregor, W. F;. Broderick, T. Hine, W. Craig. A. H. Collins, J. Kennedy and 11. Hamilton. Engineer’s Report The report of the engineer (Air Iv. R. Dawson) for the past month was: Alangawhero Riding.—Good progress is being made with the metalling work on the Parapara Road, a continuous coat of metal having been laid between the 28 and 32 mile pegs. The crushing plant is now set up at Porter’s pit where a supply of metal will be obtained for repairing the road between Kakatahi and Hopokopoka bridge. The Kakatahi bridge requires to be repaired which work will be commenced at an early date. Approximately 500 cubic yards of boulders ■ a sup! ! ieu- by the contractor on the Parihauhau road and a further l upply t>i .150 cubic yards has been [authorised. The road widening is progressing satisfactorily on the Parapara all dangerous corners having been widened between the Upokongaro and eleven mile peg. An old metal pit has been re-opened on the Alakirikiri Valley road and surface repairs have been

commenced in the vicinity of Hunter’s Hill. Alangamahu Riding.— Alaintenance metal to the extent of 21G cubic yards has been supplied for metalling the filling near the 40 mile, peg on the Wangaehu Valley Road and for repairs from there to Ngamatea. Aletal repairs above Alangamahu on this road will also bo commenced t an early date. Concrete shingle is now being carted from Alangamahu to the ford on the Creek road, the concreting of which so be commenced at an early date. Purua Riding. —The roads in this riding arc iu fair condition with the exception of the Alangamahu road which requires metal repairs. It is the intention to metal this road when the crushing plant is available but as this will probably I some considerable time it is proposed to effect urgent repairs by utilising river shingle. Kaitoke Riding. —The new surface scaling work on the No. .1 Line is progressing satisfactorily about two miles of the. final surface having been completed to date. Approximately four weeks of reasonably warm weather wtil be required to complete the job. Aletal repairs have been <'ff<‘ctcd from the top of the Wangaehu Hill to the bridge and this portion is now in fair condition. The drains have been widened and deepened on Ihp Kaitoke flat and the shoulders on the part of th e road have been built up and will now require a coat of metal. Kaukntca Riding.—Light metal repairs are required on the No. 3 Lino Waikoupa and Long Acre roads which will be put in hand at one?. The met-

alling of Thompson’s road will nt commenced by the end of this month. Morikau Riding.—An inspection has boon made of the newly gazetted Morikau road and it is found that a considerable length of the road ns used at present is not on the dedicated road. It will be necessary to construct an entirely now road for a distance of approximately 60 chains together with regrading, culvertin' and wi<*K‘ning the existing formation. This work will cost at. least £l,OOO to makf a reasonably good vehicular road. A* the greater part of the new formation is required at the lower end. giving access to the river, it would not bn wise to do anything in the nature of new work abo\ e this point until » Comprehensive scheme is adopted but merely keep the frack open for sledges and drays as used at present. The hand rails of bridges on thr Matahiwi track have been set back to give more clearance for pack loads. The estimate*] cost of widening this track for Ih* purpose of slodgmg wool Io the rivrr is £SO. This work should be done early in the spring so that full n«l--inf age could be taken of same for the haulage of wool. T.hc Otaranoho ro.id and river track to county boundary are at present being repaired. Upper Wangaehu Riding.—Alaintcnnnee metal is being obtained for repairing the Upper Wangaehu River road and general surface repairs are being effected.