MAIN HIGHWAYS COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1924, Page 3

MAIN HIGHWAYS COUNCIL

AIEETING AT GREYAIOUTH. A. meeting of the Alain Highways Council, No 12, was held in the Public Works Office, Grevmouth last night. Those present were Alessrs J. D. Gillies (chair), D. J. Archer, L. J. Bell. T). J. Evans, J. Higgins, H. AVntkitison (Engineer to PAY. Depart-) meat), and R. J. i'eimoii. F. W. Fttrkcrt, Chairman Alain Highways Board, AVeHington, wrote with reference to the Greyinouth-AVest-port Coast Rond lietwcen Inangahun Junction and Reefton, and stating it was very doubtful if the road would he completed. It was also doubtful 1 tlie reduction in distance was as great as the forty miles .stated, and it. was quite certain that before the Coast Road can carry any traffic to speak of, n very large expenditure, probably in the neighbourhood of £IOO.OOO would he required, Itofore it could Ire considered suitable for traffic, or for carrying the traffic that would l>e bound to use it. The letter further stated that under those circumstances the expenditure for regrading the road over Reefton Saddle is warranted and asked that at least a preliminary survey ho made as early ns possible, with a view to eliminating, at least a part of the climb, by eliminating all had curvature and regulating the grading to the best advantage.

Air Bell said that AH AY. F. Brett, the Inangahiia County Engineer, had expressed the opinion that nothing could ho done towards reducing the grade on tho road over the Reefton Saddle. AH- Bell said he was favourably disposed towards having a preliminary survey of tho road made. Mr Gillies said ho was of the (tame opinion as the Innngnhua County Engineer. and could not see any way of reducing that grade.

Afr Higgins thought that tlie only mprovement would he in the matter >f visibility. Air Gillies said that the Public iVorks Department could not spare inyonc to make a preliminary survey it the present time.

It was resolved on the motion of Afr Vrcher, seconded by Afr Higgins that m action he taken in the matter, and lint the Board he advised of tho opiniiii of tin- Tnniigahiia County Kngin-

T lie Canterbury Automobile Assm-ia-ion wrote requesting an improved visl- - on the corner of Alitchell’s Alisako on the road between Arnold River

and Knmaka. (2) Improved visibility on the corner of Roadmans’ Road between Kamnka and I’aroa. At both the above places mentioned tlie road could also he made safer by being widened. (J) The advisability of tarring the road between Grey mouth and Paroa. (I) The advisability of tarring

the toad between Raupo and Big River. (o) Having all the bridges painted white at the ends for the benefit of drivers of vehicles at night. This especially applies to where bridges are on bends of the rond. ATr Gillies said that the proposals re Aritchell’s Mistake had been provided for in the estimates.

Afr Higgins referred to the dangerous part of the road between Katnaka and Red Jacks alxmt tno anil a half miles above Knmaka.

it was resolved that application ve the Roadman's Road between Knmaka and Arnold River he referred to tho County Council for report that the tarring of the road between Grey and Pimm and Raupo and Big River he recommended and that the request re having bridges painted white he referred to the County for report. 'Hie request of the Grcyinoiith Borough Council for a subsidy towards the maintenance of the Alain Highway Road within the Borough extending from the Omoto homidary to the Paroa houmlarv was rocomnicutoo.

Similar requests (for .subsidies for Main Highways from tho Brunner and Kuiuara Borough Councils ucie refoinmemled. Afr Evans undertook to advise the Ross Borough Council in re. gard to a like application. The Chairman indicated that, the subsidy to the Borough Councils would not he likely to exceed £.72 a mile for maintenance.

The Chairman said tallies weie to lie taken in respect to the Highways traffic passing through the Boroughs of. Hokitika and Crovinouth. The Chairman also stated a visit would lie made to Hokitika next Thursday to inspect the portion of road in the Borough affected by Highways traffic.

In reply to an enquiry from the Westland County Council regarding payment for work done on Alain Highways, the Board stated the chiic"-. Would he recognised from the 9th. June, the date of the I'roolanmlion. Mi Evans said that was not satisfactory nor in accordance with the arrangements made previously . Air Higgins stated all the Councils would he affected similarly. Tt was resolved to write "the Board further.

Mr Archer read a comparative statement of receipts as affecting royalties, goldfields revenue and rates for Bullet-. Grev and Westland, ami thought Buller should receive extra cot s:d< lion.

Mr Higgins pointed out the Buller County slid not tt)be into account the Government expenditure on the map roads in the north. Hi Evans said it was to he regretted the Buller Council was taking e the attitude indicated. II the local bodies wore to get any benefit from the highways scheme, they would need to pull together. Me deprecated also the letter sent by Buller to a member of the Highways Board on the subject of bridge expenditure. The Board writing in respect to tho Highway in South Westland, indicated that the Afaiu Highway would terminate at Wailio liver. The question <-f extending the Highway to |-|nnst would he considered in a year’s time. Under the circunisfawtes -Air Evans thought the arrangement satisfactory.

The Chairman thought the Wailio bridge should he included in the Highways and Air Evans said ho would see the Chairman of the Hoard when in ■Wellington shortly. The Council then considered tho tl ; gliwavs Estimates. Those agreed to totalled : Construction £SA. GO. .Maintenance £*21.181 Total ... £7S.O!>l A large sum was in -lulled for bridges particularly in the Duller County mid a considerable amount was set do"it lor tar-sealing chiefly in (•rev and Westland Counties. The amount provided for tar-sealing was at the rate of C 5 a chain, being based on the experience in Inmigahmt County, where portion of the .Duller road had been treated satisfactorily. The resignation of Mr MeViear as a member of the Council was received, and referred to the Hoard. Mr Dell is to fill the position. The meeting concluded at 10 p.m.