ENGINEER'S REPORT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2924, 14 June 1888, Page 2

ENGINEER'S REPORT.

The following is the report of the Engineer, as read at last Tuesday's meeting of the County Council:—l have the honor to submit to you ray report on the work in progress within the County during the past month as follows Masterton Biding, Masterton to Waimata Road—Contract No, 32, (river diversion at Te Ore Ore). Since the contractor's return to this work, the swollen state of the river has prevented his further operations proceeding, and I think in order to render its completion possible at present, it will be necessary to somewhat modify the original design so as to admit of the diversion wall being constructed further up the stream in shallow water. This proposed alteration need not, I think, interfere with the efficiency of the work to any appreciable extent, and although it will involve additional expense upon the contractor, I understand that he is willing to proceed with it on these conditions in preference to holding it over until the Spring. Waingawa to Camp Road,-At Waingawa the recently constructed groin has done good work. The main body of water is now diverted through the third span from the South approach, and the hank between the groin and the bridge is completely sheltered from the action of the current during Hoods in the river. Beyond the -usual subsidence which takes place at the noses of all new groins when exposed to the first flood after their construction, the work is in no way altered since taking it over from the contractors. Te Ore Ore to Bideford Road.—The alteration to the drainage of the Te Ore Ore flats have been completed. The dimensions of the main culvert and outlet drain have beon sufficiently increased to carry off flood waters which formerly banked back and inundated the formation and adjoining properties at the lower levels along the road. Castlepoint Riding—Masterton to Manawa Road. In company with MrMacßae the manager of Bowlands, I visited and located the most suitable boundary for the roadman's reserve which it is proposed to lease from that property. The length ot new fencing which will require to be erected so as to include a sufficient area for the Council's purpose will be 18 chains and .includes a floodgate over one of the tributaries of the Rorokoko stream. An estimate of the cost of erecting this fence is attached at the end of this report. With respect to the general terms of lease proposed by Mr Macllae I can furnish the Council with any particulars they may require to deal with the subject at its present sitting. Contract No 33. Bridge with formation of approaches will be completed in the course ot a day or so, when the permanent man will undertake the metalling of the approaches upon the completion of which the line will again be thrown open for public traffic. In connection with the disputed items for timber used by the Castlepoint Road Board in the repairs done to the Tinui bridge by that body I have measured up the materials pointed out to me by our roadman (who was employed on the work from its commencement to its completion) as having been used by the Board's men in the extension of the bridge and which was the property of the Council. The

result shows that I have understated

the Council's claim against the Board in this matter, instead of having overcharged it, as it was alleged I had done.

EkcUihuua to Tinui road.—Tiraumea to Tinui section. With respect to the proposal to deal with the overflow from the Whareama river along the black swamp portion of the line by raising artificial banks parallel to its course, T have visited and examined the work done by Mr Stilborn on the side of the river, and am of opinion that although it would cost the Council a large sum to do similar work to that done by him (on account of the distance from which willows would have to he brought) still good results would be obtained by erecting a wire netting fence constructed with green poplar poles 011 which wire would be strained and stapled against timber battens spilced to the poles. This fencing would have to be erected at a distance of say 1-J chains from tho river bank along the portion tho overflow from which affects the road. All vegitation between it and the bank would have to be cut off level with the ground so as to leave a clear and regularly outlined waterway. This would be collected, bound and staked along the river side of fence so as to catch and retain the silt carried ovor the flats by flood waters, and with it torin an artificial bank such as will concentrate the scouring action of the current so as to widen and eventually lower the bed of the present channel. I am informed that Messrs Langdon Bros,, upon whoso property the fence would have to be erected will offer no objection to the execution of this section of the work provided the Council will undertake to construct a dam at the proposed diversion of the river furtherdown stream and towards which they aro willing to contribute what sum may bo required to build it. There can be little doubt but that the dam will materially assist the work of draining the flats, and should, I think, be embraced in any work that should be undertaken, having for its objoct the permanent improvement of the bed of the river. From the dale I have been able to collect, I have prepared an estimate of the probable cost of the work, which will he found attached to the report, and if the means of executing it can be raised from any source, other than that of a separate rate, I would recommend its execution to the favorable consideration of the Council. Altvedton Biding.—Eketahuna to Tinui Eoad.—Eketahuna to Timumea seotion. —Contract No, 18, road formation at Tiraumea, is making fair progress, considering the difficulty in getting suitable labor in tho back country for this class of work. A considerable portion of' the earthwork lias been opened up and drained, and the culvert material, which is in course of preparation in tho adjacent bush,,

will shortly be delivered upon the ground. I estimato that the work will occupy three weeks in its completion, On tliebush section of tliisline between Eketaliuna and Alfredton, the rowf 1 has been subjected to unusually severe treatment. The erection of a large accommodation house and other smaller buildings -at the Junction of the district with the main road, and further towards Tiraumea, has given rise to an extraordinary, traffic in timber and general stores, the effect of which has been most disastrous to the road. The more inferior class of metal near the Alfredton end as well as the unmetalled formation, has beeu so ploughed up, as to render travelling a matter of serious inconvenience and difficulty to those whose misfortune it is to have to travel on this line. I would direct the attention of the Council to the fact that the absence of an Inspector under the wheel-tiro by-laws is adding much to the abuse of the road by some of the carriers, and I would suggest that Mr Jas. Kennedy (who has signified to me his willingness to act) be appointed to superintend that proper effect is given to the by-laws in this part of the District. The repairs to the bridges in the Pahiatua Hiding are at presen(Jfcb course of execution and will beco™ pleted at an early date. The metalling contracts with one exception have been completed, and this will be put out of hand as expeditiously as the state of the weather will permit of.

I am Ac., C. E. BIIEMNER,

A communication was considered from the Pahiatua Town Board, complaining of the drains and culverts ± within the Town district, Referred fi to the Engineer to deal with.

The Clerk was directed to take the necessary steps for striking the rates previously decided upon in Committee. The engineer was authorised to interview Mr Mcßae and endeavor to arrange for a temporary fence round Koroltoro wliare so that the paddock might be poisoned: tailing that the roadman to find his own paddock and receive Is a day extra, the cottage to be removed if necessary to the road reserve. Consideration of protective work at Whareama river was p® poned till next meeting. Mr Kennedy was appointed an inspector of wheel tires on the Eketahuna Tinui road for two months at 5s per week. It was resolved to send circulars to 50 or 100 station holders with a view of ascertaining the number of travellers accommodated with board and lodgings. Payment was authorised to the A amount of LlO 3s for the Oahonga v. ferry reserve.