A—No. 17

22

CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE

No. 46. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Hales to Mr. Coopek. Sir, — Wanganui, 14th May, 1870. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated the 11th inst. ; also plans and specifications of Kai-Iwi and Okehu Bridges, and a telegram in reference to a punt at Patea. As directed, I have examined the plans and S2)ecifications of the Kai-Iwi and Okehu Bridges, and. also the ground upon which they are to be erected, and beg to report that I consider the Kites of the bridges to be well selected, but the bridges are not of the best design, and much better Structures might have been provided without increasing the cost of the works. The principal objections are, that the main spans of both the bridges are unnecessarily long, consequently requiringheavy trussed girders in the Kai-Iwi Bridge, and long beams of large section in the Okehu. The intermediate beams are not placed so as to give the greatest support to a rolling load; being placed immediately in the centre of the roadway, they do not support the flooring planks in the places where the "wheels of carts will bear heaviest upon them. Ends of trussel girders do not take a good bearing over the piers, and the beams are not continuous throughout the whole length of the bridges. There are no bridging blocks or other contrivances for supporting the girders laterally over the piers. The railings of the Kai-Iwi Bridge are too slight. In my judgment, both the bridges are unnecessarily high, causing heavy earthwork embankments to be required at each end. The specifications of the works are not very well drawn : they are vague, and do not sufficiently explain the details : with a sharp contractor to deal with, a good many disputes, and perhaps some extras, will be likely to arise in consequence. In reference to the telegram, I beg to say that the punt has been afloat about a week, and cannot be made available for any purpose unless furnished with sweeps ; an anchor and chain are also required for securing her when afloat, and working in the river. I estimate the cost of this gear (two 20 feet sweeps, 1 ewt. anchor, and 15 fathoms of |- inch chain) at £8, but at the same time I am of opinion that the operation proposed of bringing down gravel in the punt for metalling the roads between the Patea and Whenuakura Rivers, will prove such a tedious and expensive affair, that the scheme will soon have to be jibandoned. The place where it is proposed to obtain the gravel is situate about four miles above the landing-place at the ferry, where a stage has been erected for receiving the gravel when landed from the punt. I estimate the greatest quantity of gravel that can be brought down at one time at about eight cubic yards ; the punt will not carry more, and, as she can only be taken up and down the river with the tide, it will not be possible to make more than one trip each day, if so much, and when there is any fresh in the river it will not be easy to take the punt up to the gravel pits. On my last visit to Patea, I noticed indications of gravel in one or two places near the line of road, and directed Sub-Inspector Forster to allow three or four men of his party to examine the different gullies, and endeavour to find a seam of gravel. I am confident they will succeed, and in a few days a sufficient quantity of gravel will be found to metal the roads cheaply and efficiently. The punt will probably be useful for carrying timber from the bush up the river. I have engaged the services of Mr. James Hogg, who was for many years a District Engineer for the Wellington Provincial Government, to set out the roads in the Patea District. I was over a portion of the line with him to-day, and pointed out the work most requiring to be done. I hope in a few days to have the road works proceeding in a systematic manner, and, with the force now employed, to have the most difficult portions of the load opened up before the winter rains set in, so as to materially retard the works. The contractor has signed the plans and specifications of the Kai-Iwi and Okehu Bridges, and says lie lias ordered the timber and ironwork, and expects to commence the erection of the bridges in about a week from this. The contractors for the metalling at Waitotara have commenced operations, and have complete^ ;i)x>ut four chains of the work. I will return the plains of the bridges as soon as I have made copies for my own use in supervising the erection. I have, ifec, William H. Hai.es, The Acting Under Secretary for Defence, Wellington. Inspector of Roads, Wanganui.

"WANGANUI—TAUPO. No. 47. Extract from a Memorandum by the Hon. the Pjremiek, dated 31st January, 1870. « * * * » # I have also authorised the cutting of a horse track from Wanganui to Muri Mutu (Taupo country) by native party, under the superintendence of Mr. C. Field, C.E. ; Mr. Buller, R.M., will certify to progress and completion of this work, which may extend over six weeks, and involve an outlay of .£3OO. -::• i- * * * * W. Fox.