72

I will now report upon the works undertaken since, commencing with the bridges in the order in which they were let.

The Ruamahunga bridge crosses the Ruamahunga River about a mile above the old ford at Waihenga. The site was fixed after a very careful survey and inspection of the river. It had always been thought by myself, as a resident in the district, and also by numerous other settlers, that whenever a bridge was erected over the Ruamahunga, the best site would be near the pa, below the lower ford; but during the last year the river has been cutting into Mr. Bidwell’s land, and shows every indication of cutting through the point upon which the present ferry exists, and the protection of which would be very costly, and even then uncertain. Under these circumstances I determined to look for a site above the point where the river was washing away the banks, and the result of which was the selection of the present site.

The principle of the bridge is a Howe truss of eight spans of 77 feet centres, with three approach spans of 24 feet centres on each side, or a total length of 760 feet of bridging. The cost of the bridge itself is £4,490. Messrs. Barry & Co. are the contractors, and Mr. J. B. Wallace, clerk of works. All the piles are in position, the approach spans on the Greytown end completed, and the first span of girders in position. The weather has been highly favourable for the work. The approach to the bridge from the present formed road will be across the backwater over the land known as the racecourse, on the Greytown side, and through Mr. Waterhouse’s land, known as the big bend, on the lower valley side. The approaches are pegged off, and will be advertised for tender in the course of a week or so.

The bridge over the road flooded by the Waiohine River, near Greytown. The necessity for this bridge was caused by the continued overflow of the Waiohine River near Kempton’s Creek, which for the last six or seven years has been the cause of continual annoyance to the public, and expense to the Government. When I made my last yearly report the aspect of the river, through the action of the floods, had much improved, and some slight work we intended doing was unnecessary. Since then, however, it has gradually been getting worse and worse, so that now very little, if any, water flows down the old course, and the road is constantly covered with water. After a careful inspection of the river, and weighing all the circumstances connected with the matter, I reported to the Government that, in my opinion, the cheapest and best way of keeping the road open for traffic was to build a low bridge or platform over the flooded part of the road, leaving the river to find its own outlet. Upon this recommendation the Government instructed me to prepare plans and specifications and call for tenders for the work. Tenders were received, and one from Mr. J. A. Petherick, for the sum of £780, was accepted. The bridge is of the most inexpensive kind, of course equal to the requirements of the case. It is built upon piles, 45 spans, each 20 feet centres, with hand-rail, and everything necessary for the safety of the large and increasing traffic existing on this road. Public opinion has been very strong with reference to this work, and at the suggestion of an influential section of the community at Greytown the Assistant Engineer-in-Chief of the Colony was requested to inspect and report upon the river. I accompanied him, and saw additional reason to confirm me in my previous opinion with reference to this river. His able report is already before your Honor, and I trust the matter has now received that amount of attention and examination, that whatever is done in future will be in the direction indicated by the Assistant-Engineer-in-Chief, and no more money wasted in trying to do impossibilities. I anticipate that Mr. Petherick’s contract will be completed in three weeks’ time. I estimate the cost of approaches and other slight alterations and additions to the contract at £60.

The Waipoua bridge is similar in construction to the Tauherenikau and Waingawa bridges; it is six spans of 30 feet each. Mr. Petherick is the contractor at £570. There is great difficulty in driving the piles to the specified depth, in fact, it is found impossible to do so, and I have instructed the clerk of works to cease driving when the piles reach a bed of conglomerated shingle, which is found at about eight feet under the river bed. It will be two months before this work is completed.

The bridge over the Rangitikei River is a Howe truss girder bridge of six spans, each 77 feet with two approach spans of 20 feet on Bull’s side of the river, and two wings on the Manawatu-Rangitikei side, or a total length of 502 feet. Messrs. C. & E. Millar, of Victoria, are the contractors, at £3,987.

The great difficulty with reference to the construction of this bridge was the timber supply. At the request of several of the intending contractors, and upon my recommendation, the Government gave the contractor the right of cutting timber in reserves which they had a right to select under the agreement with Col. Feilding, and