WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1925, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

TUESDAY, .MARCH Kith. 1025. PUBLIC WORKS’ COAIMTTTKK'S REPORT. Your Committee lias the honour to report that a meeting was held on the 2-1 tli. Feb. when the following tenders were, received for the Kumara-Kapitea

road contract:—J. J. Rusher, £197: M. Kelly and Party. £197 10s; P. AtcDonald, £2OO ss; Mitchell and Blackman, £235; Ferguson and Inglis. £248 10s; 1.. E. Langesen. £286. The Overseer’s estimate for the work was £202. Your committee recommends the acceptance of the lowest tender, J. J. Rusher. £197.

Overseer Millner reported with regard to Hood damage, and it was resolved to ajyily for a flood and storm damage grant of £4OO. The principal work; were. Little. Waitahn river erosion. affecting the northern approach to the new Kaknpotaln bridge; Arabova liver encroachment at the roar of Mr Dalgleisb’s ; and slips on Lake Ivanieri road.

Various economies in the conduct of road repairs and maintenance were discussed with Overseer Afilliior. Tt was decided that Roadman Dale should bo stationed in Lbe Kokatabi-Koilerangi district, and should reside adjacent to the work; also that the Overseer should select a suitable man for the maintenance of the Lake Tvanieri, Arthiirstown, Hnu Hau and Blue Spur roads.

The Committee recommends that the Council should adopt the practice more generally of depositing dumps of grave! at the side of roads for immediate repairs by the surfae'emen. The Council also to take into consideration the asphalting of the surface of new bridges, such attention tending to the better preservation of the understrueture. as also safer traffic for horse teams in frosty weather. The Overseer was asked to ascertain the cost of tar-seal-ing the section of road from Kanieri to Alorris Hill as ail experiment in that class of work. The Overseer was directed to see that in future the monthly diaries contain particulars of the hours worked each day, in addition to the locality where employed. Generally, several matters of detail were discussed with Afr Alillner, and it was resolved the Committee meet monthly at noon on the sitting day of the Council, to confer with the Overseer in respect to any road matters which might arise in the interval.

OVERSEER AIIT.LXER’S REPORT. I have the honour to report upon the progress of works during the month of February. NORTHERN RIDING. Ivumara to Kapitea Road Extension £2OO grant. The contractors signed for this work and completed six chains of clearing to date. Gillams Gully Road, yas repaired by filling the worst ruts With gravel. A short portion of Big Dam Track was improved and water-'

tallies cleaned on tlie siding near Goldsborough. Portions of the covering of the boxing in Stafford drain were removed and excavations made to locate the line of drain under the deep filling belmv Rafferty's Creek. The upper portion of the drain was cleared to draw off stagnant water in front of the Post Office. The Roadman effected repairs with gravel and broken stone to portions of One Mile and Arahura Valley Roads, also to a subsidence on the i lokitika-Kumara road north of Kapiton Creek. The protective work on the south bank of the Arahura River above \V. Olderog’s residence was completed early in the month. CENTRAL WIDENING. Lake Kaiiicri Road Widening, Ih'loO, was completed in a satisfactory manner. also a large slip brought down with the heavy rain, removed from the roadway near McKay’s Creek Hridge. Lower Kokalahi Road Drainage, CJdO grant, the balance was expended in improving the existing drains along the roadway. Koluituhi bridge Protection pgO!) grant, was commenced, and a quantity of scrub procured and hauled to the river hank. A scrub and stone fascine was constructed for 200 links in length, but not placed in position owing to the flooded state of the river, iu ,d several large trees moored in the stream above an erosion to prevent extension down stream. The continued wet weather is preventing rapid progress of the work. Lake Kanieri Track, PR) vote, was commenced and about , thirty chains pf clearing completed. I Rake Kanieri and Lower Kokatabi Roads were ralteil anil bad holt's were .'repaired with gravel, and mio small | culvert on .McArthur Road renewed , 1 with IM inch diameter pipes, and a .. defective culvert on \\ hitcomhe \ alley

]load renewed with 1-’ inch diameter pipes. The approaches to several bridges ami culverts in Kokatnhi ami Kuiterangi were repaired, and the large drain on the western side oi Mall Head cleared and cleaned a distance of ten chains. Defective decking rvas renewed on several culverts and luid- ! cos on Lake Knniovi, Kolcatahi, and I Kioitcraiigi Roads. The County road I roller operated on portions of Koiterj .atiji* Roads also Upper imd Lower I Kolcatahi Road. Overhanging scrub I was cleared from Arlhurstowu Road, I and a culvert on Adair’s Road redecked with yin. by Jin. planking. The new lino of Scddon’s Terrace Deviation was cleared, chained and levelled, ami a plan and specification prepared for approval. SOUTHERN RIDING. Lower Kakapotahi Bridge was almost completed excepting lor waling, bracing, pier lining and hand rail wires. The painting of the hand railing is being proceeded with, also lining and 'wfiling. The southern approach was formed l!i feet in width on top ami metalled 12 feet in width. Ihe northern approach is lornted nearly 150 links in length and metalled for the same distance, allowing wheel traf- ! lie to cross the bridge. It is not wise 'to extend the northern approach he- ! voml this point, until the protective 1 work above the bridge is completed, ! owing to the danger of damage to the j filling bv Hoods. Repairs were effected ito AVoolhouse Road by metalling | . S c„urs and had holes. Roadman AVliifc--1 iskio attended to repairs to Petersen s, Wanganui and Robertson Roads, also to the removal ol a slip from the louct 1 end of Petersen’s Road* La Fontaine Creek Clearing, CloO. The balance ol the grant was expended in improving 1 the diversion channel, also in the rc- ' uinval oj several sharp bends above the ' channel.