COUNTY ENGINEER'S REPORT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7822, 13 August 1904, Page 2

COUNTY ENGINEER'S REPORT.

Opaki Rimno. —As instructed by the Council, I have made an estimate of the approximate cost of constructing fiftyone chains of footpath, fencing, etc., from Diver's corner, on the Mastcrton-Waimata-rpad, and have submitted to Mr Hale, who is acting on behalf of the settlers interested.

"Waingawa to Camp-road.—Contract No. 25 (getting, carting and spreading 955 cubic yards of metal). —The contract amount has been laid. Owing to the advanced stage of the season it has been deemed advisable to further augment the quantity specified by 496 cube yards, which can be drawn from the incoming year's allocation. The contractor is engaged in repairing weaker portions of the same road in the vicinity of Master ton.

Lansdownc Roads.—Contract No. 05. —At the present rate of progress this contract should be completed a fortnight hence.

Eanuitimau Riding.—Wangaehu-road Deviation.—Contract No. 18.—Building two bridges. The structures are practically finished, the maintenance period expiring on the 13th inst. We are singularly fortunate in having this work so well advanced, considering the difficulties in procuring timber ; the favourable season, however, facilitated delivery on to the sites, and the contractor pushed the work with the greatest zeal. Contract No. 12—(34 chains of formation, etc.)— The recent storm has checked progress, and the contractor has been unable to proceed with the carting, which is over moist ground. He has about one week's work to complete, when weather permits. The contractor fencing the deviation expects to finish this week.

Te Orb Ore-Bidei'-ord Road.—Surface repairs, to the extent of 310 cubic yards, were laid on the section Cameron's woolshed to junction of the Mastcrton-Waitnata road—last month.

Bluff to Eangitumau Eoad.—The protective works, authorised at last meeting, are being proceeded with.

Upper Taueru Biding.—Maxgarei Road.—Contract No. 19—(80 chains of formation). —Good progress has been made on this work during the last month, the contractor having roughly formed to width, a length of 65 chains.

Contract No. 20—(SO chains of formation and > 36ft span bridge).—The contractor started operations on the Ist inst., and promises to make good headway with the work.

Alfredtox Bidixg. — Castle Hill Road.—B9 chains road formation has been creditably carried out by the contractors, J. Bray and Co.

Alfrcdton-Weber Road.—Building a 71ft span bridge. The work has been reported to be complete by the contractor, with the exception of the metalling to one of the approaches, which he was prevented from carrying out by the inclement weather.

Waixuioku Ridixg.—Blairlogie-Easfc Coast Road.—Mangapokia bridge contract No. 16 was reported finished last month, but I have yet to make a final inspection of the work.

Masterton-Waimata Road.—Contract No. 34 (surface repairs) was satisfactorily completed at the latter end of. last month.

Taucni Bridge.—The abutment piers of the above bridge received a considerable strain from the earth tremor. On the eastern side the cap to the pier is completely crushed, and the heavy timber wing strained: it has, however, been made temporarily safe for ordinary traffic; this will need reconstructing before the wool season.

There is evidence of the shock having been very sevorc in that locality, there being several iissures in the roadway.—■

This matter was left in the hands of the Engineer and Cr Toogood to deal with. The report was adopted.