WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 13 September 1921, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

TUKSDAV. SKPT. 13tli. j ! CHAIRMAN'S REPORT- j I Gentlemen. I have the honor to Kl- - port th.iL on the TOth August in comi , vmv with the members of tlus t üblic j Work, Com.nilLoo ami Cr Murdoch a ! visit wps paid to Knmnra *1 unction to 1 inspect the proposed railway wdmß | works which cull for n now portion ot pnlilic rood to give connection he tween !hc Kninnrn Pond, and the Torcmahn j ro ,a The railway works involved in | providing! for northern and “onthorn i --bunling lines above and below the J rt ni ion platform, with necessary layl,vs fall of which are to ho placed on ,1,0 exist!,i K roadway within U-o f«tion reserve in front, of the hotel)I estimated to cost £B,OOO, and it <• not ! ( . loiir hew this money is to be - I whether from the government or -h----j sawmillors in part or whole. » an. ease something substantial would hare te he rmtltd by the sawmillors for -n'fnivminflation and srrvii'O lll ° u , ‘ » . i, to be laid on the southern su e of the Knniara road reaching towards the ■ llorouph. The cost of this, though not l j estimated will ho considerable and it s seems rather clear that the scheme » I hevond the resources of the nil. er 1 lint the Railway Department .s bo 13 ' iiw the whole project up "Utd the | ! hotel w moved hack off the railway re I | Ton which it encroaches some 10 a i feet 1 and the local body constructs the if new connecting road. The road n Ra I „,df will cost about C2OO, in addition to k-1 ! winch the land for the road will bft"--1 !to be acquired out of the freeho'd v-1 : ~,-ea on which the hotel stands. Should u'l i the road be determined upon it " dl be [I j necessary to arrange will, tlie fre->!r.PT- ™ i nr for a. chain width of roadway, and f| I that would be an additional distant to S| j move Ixick tlie hotel. pa| U seems to me that the w.iwi.a jj| : scheme is beyond tlie resources of tin' II people concerned, and (be cost involvm cd is too great to the Department for j|l * In- return it would derive. At or re. H | v. wing all the circumstances ml con £1 ! fcrriJin'"iih the millers now loading r.t 1 Kunara. 1 f-'-'l satisfied that ne <•*- m tonsion of the present site for loading at quite a nominal cost would meet to“A o..tfoments for some time to come. ■ I Tin to is a disused shed which rm.id j be moved away and the loading spree i„> tended. This would tide over my * j ~'Usihle congestion for the next few months during the slump, and tn the | fnt'Tval the Minister of Railway, could i Ip invited to *iew the local comh'.t vts ft ; poi-sonallv. and if he is impressed as a S ; I,mines* man with tit" actual noe-s-.f.v | ' „f spending a few thousand pounds to I C. |ie with the matter. T shall be MirI pri.-ed. Something far less costly and I i ] 111 , • .piickly possible can he d<mo m ■ the posit ion of the sawmill V". I cud in the interests (.T the indt|sr-y. § am! to safeguard public expen lit are I til ll linn Minister should he r ■"' a, I • mended accordingly. I The same aft erne.m a visit was paid 1 l [an-is Creek. Christchurch tm-d. I where the stock bridge was desU-oyed I some few months ago. The soidier | settlers using tlm crossing are '.liMeh I |ia oi nil cd by the want of the hr id 3 and the folk are cmluriiig a positive 3 hardship under present conditions. Mm 0 pi'oio-s.-J i a.erection oi* tlie old brid .te S' is . oiitetnphi tcl at a cost of L*!.->. and s .-rani from the (iovcrnmeiit for £I<AP 1 has been applied for. It tliis is r.Riejj , toned it is proposed in proceed with -jj , ,|niry-farmers requiring to milk in $ ■ t !,.■ coming season, the bridge i« row ? _ vei v lirgeiilv required. as it tapis tile ; nrincipal grazing anil nl the larm.

On tlm (Itl, iu-t. in company ,viHi ( rs \! ircl. Chcstcrman a ml Wells of the Cent 1:1 1 Riding, a • isit. was paid to the Kcni.-ri l.ake and Kokatahi roads. The K.micri t.ako r. ail is mm living -C:l,ji-. t ill I" iiili'ideriiJde ll'allic. Three saw mills are opening up. one al Si, ; •, 1, . am-: her at Cal Creek, and I In* 1 hin! al \\ aid mail Motor Inn i- s at,1 - .1 pi 1 : i 1 a nsp,, l l < 1 1 the -aru 1 1111 - her I" Hokitika. In addition -her, F , ;.|, I* :),!.* minor t; all,,- over the road i ,1 i 111- ——, , loonier traffic In tlm Power Ktifimn. 'i'li,. i-,.a ! s'iirl':i,-i, uas r ugh and limn ill places, and some had holes n M e not ic> able v liciv the heavy traffic has , 1 .-..,-,1 i 1 11 r 111 ..1 1 :,, t lie liirma! ion. Tin l.i* 1- v. ore a : tended to the next- ■ lev. Rs tie- traffic "ill he re"l'lar, ii | |-,,|„,- -,| ill 1 lai-c ;i Siirl'acoinaii ill ,-hri .. ~!* I lm 1- ad. For this purpose !(. ailmaii llHcnw will be t ransfcri od, «,,,,! j 1 ;,, in charge as -0011 as possible. There is no doubt tlm narrowness of 1 lie road conduces to its worn appenr;,mo. the heavy 1 raHi, living .onlinod tl in* track. The ,-oml is in need of widening, hul that would he a cosily undertaking. Koine provision -h-nild. however, he made for turnouts, and Overseer Milkier lias been ask-d to rein, rl on suitable places and the P'* 11 ' hahlo rest. It- will lie imperative to si lengthen most of the bridges and culverts along ilm road for the heavy sawmill traffic. Tlm three mill-owners were consulted ill regard In this, and each offered to contribute supplies of timber for tln* purpose. The Ovcr-c—r i-.to go into the mailer, and arrange with tlm millers to have the timber cut as soon as possible, and l lie ( 0011cil will require to find the labor lor Lite renewals necessary. A riocernmenl grant of £.’liKl is now being spent in widening and improving the road ill the vicinity of Crayfish creek. When completed this will he a 1 i-'cl'ui work. There is also a tourist vole of £3OO held up at present owing In (Tie |i 11.1 neial stringency, which it is proposed to expend in widening the to f , of the roadway at that*, point from possible river erosion. TIIO Department, concerned is now being asked .0 authorise Ibis work ns soon as possible. \ further grant of C7l £ for £ from I he Mines Department. It is hoped, will he available shortly for tlm widening of the road and the cutting of a [til! towards the lake end, where several motor cars have gone efl* the road from time to time owing to the narrowness. This worl; will he rid in hand as soon as authority is issued. These works combined with the e/n- ---! repairs contemplated, should keep th,- legliwny in very fair order over the summer season. Several hy-ronds wore inspected. Rrnoe road lately completed w : !l ho

sed immediately by a sawmill com- j any about to erect a. plant adjacent j o kaniori Forks. The approach to j be road .from the main road requires j .idening and some small slips icmov- ; d. These works wore authorised. Coal Creek hill. " A suitable pit for •ravel supply is available here, if the nntorial could he delivered by motor, f the grants above mentioned became vnilnblo it will be necessary to open a j lit. and a trial will be made by motor ' orry delivery, the facilities for load- j ng being very convenient. Ward Road. This road is now in ■nnstnnt, use Tor timber traffic. Tt is n fair order, though somewhat rough n places. It .will require the attention if the surfaceman from time to time. ; Iviniieri T.ako foreshore. A small want is available for the protection of die end of the road at the Lake. This w ork is very necessary as the high seas or (he T.ako have been making inroads since the level of the. Take was raised hv the weir at the outlet to. the Kaniori river. Tim protection wo* m to be done as soon as possible now. Milltnwn road is in fair order. Imt will need tlm attention of the surfaceman as soon ns lm can spare a few days. Dorothv Road approach to Talma I rack. The lower end of this approach is now used for vefiiolo traffic though not ma do for that purpose. Tt w ; !l he advisable to improve about . twelve chains of the approach by raising and widening same to carry wheel traffic, and this work it is proposed to do in connection with the Talma* track grant ; ,s soon as authority for expenditure is l :i hand.

The Kokatahi roads over which we ~,:,ssed wen- found in very fair order, comparing very favourably with the district i-oads in any part "I* the County T have seen of late. The recent widening is a very sound job. k.x,.client material has boon used, and it w ill 'm a great- advantage to the district to have the work- onrrieil further as tlm funds permit. The road drain;,r,n js an essential matter ill the

swamp trad, and this ie being attended to. As much as possible should he done in this direction, and it « proposed to ask thi- Public Works Department to sanction the L*3o<l expondituie for drainage along this rend now held up owing to the financial stringency. V.v are now coming to the time ot the venr most suitable' for the > '■'! diaiimg,' work referred to.

My attention was drawn to the iie- ,, , ity lor access along lllailicrs Road extension. This I have suggested should be held over pending a tomnv- *• e.f the applicat Am for the expenditure of the mad grant, which ha : been 'mid up owing to the financial siiin- ,, ,„.y Probably two or three monthwill suffice to enable the work to be put in hau l. Mr M. Wallas- made application for

;• «-i<i a nee to olea r his mad Ironiage of overgrowth harboring rabbit*. Appli,ani had done considerable work a1,.,-aily. ~,-aily. A cmi—rvative estimate •■! the liuic involved in Dm clearing voik va* a fort lii ■. dll. and 1 sanction*;! !..ill-pn\-omnt as llie ('ouncil's i-oiii l iliut i m. the senior for lhe future to b" r«-pon-lhle for tlm eloarin ,'f Ilm I relit ag*. Kokatahi Fridge was inspected. The repairs to this important '-11*1:0,(he link hotwixui Kokatahi and H iternngi distnets. have 1 in hand a eoiisidcrable period, h'rom time to time lack ol labor and delay in receivin' 1 ' the necessary material, lm* .Disced the work. Since RUT to date there has been spent on this bridge: - Government grants W, 1 '! D* 11 County lumls i'A'l :• Total . £h’l«3 l (! f; t ‘-ei-ide, aid, work i- -till in sight. Much of it is very urgent. Tlie grants ,n W limit lie- ( Tunmil has b- ,11 ‘>l 1 fatj,,.. ~f ! ~-e will he exhausted villi the 1., i>! umnlli's accounts. The work j- too import an I to -top at >lii- *l-': 1 • ;.... 1,,. applied I, r. Mca id inn the j,. J.,.,.’ ,ie ; roil !l, li-!o I'* P"l in. ami it. is hoped the new au'lmrity will |„. ..tail ible in lime for next moutha-, „u„t* . Tlm prog 1 '•-■- made mi tlm . „|. ~t p.te. 1 In' (Ivei seer inform- me. ; v-,1 i-faeioiy. :,ml the work is I,eing earin',l out very e.-omuni, ally. Tone did not permit hi *. Frilay to ~..„s s to Koilerangi. ‘ml 1 hope to mth it locality at a biter period. ! .an see at oiu-e that there will he a I r c ,mm Ml of w ork to he d-im in 1 lie (Vntrul Riding for the next th"'*,' i„- i,„ir mouths, and the Rnlim: ha" 1 •t,-, 1-oiiiiimg low already. Mci.ih, 1. will require economy td.civ 1 1., V call, and I hope the ,-ii:n! stall "tl me that wherever possible, works an* , ,1-ried nut to the very best mlvcnand good value is given 'or the expenditure. The Central Riding is an important district of the l‘unt\. and a large volume of trail.<• is gong forward, and whatever assistance is vow all*"r,led to tide Ike district over th,' present financial year, it seen- apparent lhal in next and subsequent years, differential rating must i,O eiilnn cd si' (bat the Rul--1.. can carry cm upon it, own rclives without, as of late, heavily on tlie general funds. Tlm pi-ot isioiis of the Counties Act. ill this rerped. are boisunitig more t lingent. and with tlm present volume cd expenditure, the time is at band tec en f,the clauses of the Act dc'.iling with road and bridge maintenance in the* -sparate Ridings. B. WAR n. County Chairman.

OKAIIITO IiU'FF THACKK. CII. CHINN'S RKVORT. Gentlemen. T have the honor to report that I made a visit of inspection to the district south of Okarito as lat as Wailio Mull* and beg to submit the following notes dealing with the several works asked for by the residents of that part of the Riding. AVailm 1 !diiff and track. I find tl at the track traversing the seafsee of the Pi,ill* is practically destroyed. The sea at high tide laps the foot, of the Fluff making ii almost, impossible to keep a ,-cad That would he clear of the sen. |7or a hold five chains the foot of U" bluff is strewn with large boulders. T rode over the rocks without TiflieuHy, hut the residents informed me there are times when tin’s cannot ho done. Regarding HlO suggested track Imhird

the bluff to the Wailio river bed and 1 so aliolislt the difficult! track round the ] hiufl* it seems to me that it will go 1 through some rough country, but am | advised that a horse track can be c made at a reasonable cost-. I wciild suggest that later on a. report he oh- f tabled as the feasibility and approxi- , mate eost of a track behind the Wailio j I’liifl*- < Five Mile Fridge. This bridge excepting some of the stringers, >s fairly sound, being constructed of silver pine, ' the repairing of which would net 1 e costly. T would recommend that n report- of the cost he obtained and the Council, when funds permit, put the , work in hand. ! i Three Mile Ferry. T inspected ike , site for tlie bridge as suggested by the j settlors and 1 must say it is a: wcmclc r j to me a wooden bridge was not ornt- j ' cd here years ago. a horse bridge could j lie constructed at a. low cost. A vi'g'tt ' bush exists of silver pine close to the , ; spot, Tt Ims been stated that the son would destroy tlm bridge, but 1 fad . • believe that the sea could do it nn*r j ' bai lit. and my eonteiition is borne out j by the settlers who are conversant, 1 with tlie position. I would strongly , j recommend the Council to consider the : ’ advisabilitv ol* erecting this bridge. 1 ; Hie necessary funds can be obtained. ; Tt. will abolish the necessity of a ferry service, the upkeep of which costs the Council about £.13 per year, and besides will give more satisfaction, i consider a. suitable structure could "* ! erected for about £2OO. The tracks I ~vc- the bluffs could be kept HI '*,'- j for about £lO pet* year. T 1,,, 1,-nek . vcr the Three Mde Muff ! is in good repair but the Five MilI track needs at lending to. In coticlns-

T would suggest that the Roadman h- instructed tn go over the tia-k at intervals and see that tk- jcrixmau 1,-ceps them in order. At present lie lower part has been neglected. | was accompanied to Okarilo ay Mi Veil,, conveying Hie new Ferry •.tan (Anderson! to his duties. The net being suitable for wheel i l athe round the bluff. T proceeded Ml thionrnev myself. 1 was rendered iam b nssisu.,„e by Mr Mullanl. a local miner „ho conducted me over the sevial works. Hi" kindness is greatly a pure--1 i.nted.