WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 14 October 1925, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

.MAIN' HIGHWAY, SOUTH WESTLAND. ( LEHR’S REPORT TO HIGHWAYS COUNCIL. Respecting tlie main highway in South Westland the following mutters were brought under my notice while in ihe district recently:— Mikonui Bridge. —The suggestion was made to have the wheel planks placed outride tlui tramway rails. Tile present planking is showing signs ot wear, and tor economy in effecting renewals the running planks for wheel traffic would no doubt be best. .Main Road Drain, opposite section 2215(1, llarihari.—The section referred to is occupied by .Mr Leo Haddock. He points out the ready drainage of his section is blocked by the Growth of blackberries in the road drain. He would lie prepared to contribute towards the cost of clearing the drain on a subsidy basis. Bridge Approaches.— Messrs O'Neill, Pros. Tetiiho. enquired when the approaches to the main bridges would he fenced as had been promised, for the convenience of drovers Inking stock to mu rket. Wataroa Deviation. -Enquiry was made when this work would be undertaken. Limit of I,(aiding.— It was pointed out that although the main highway tilll l been ( lassilied as a second-class road with a limit of eight tons for heavv traffic, the by-law enforced by the Public Works Dejiarl men I fixed the limit of heavy trallie at live tons. I his was held to lie a contradiction. It was pointed out d the second class limit was imposed between Ross and \\ atho. it would mean a reduction in Height lo the settlers at. say, Wataroa. ol 12s (ill a ton. This would he an important concession to those concerned, ami the

matter is worth reviewing. Cameron’s Creek Crossing.—This crossing on the rise beyond Lake lanthe towards Evans Creek, has /riven trouble to motor trallie ot late. It would not be a large work to have a culvert put in. At different points there is timber a long: the mail suitable for the work if taken to the spot, and the labour involved would not he costly. 1 am clad to report that the road light through as far as traversed, is in verv good order and has withstood the wet weather very well. A party of men were at work attending In a sideling slip mi the Alt. Hercules road. .More trouble may he given at the point, and when next in the district you might inspect the locality to ensure a safer roadway if a cut into the hill were made. The bridging of Dry Creek seems io he the must Dressing large work along the route at present, anti if this can he provided for on the next estimates it will he a boon to trallie. OVERSEER M I I.LNKR'S REPORT. NORTHERN RIDING. Alalfioy’s Hridge L' for L grant. -- This was continued for a short time under the direction of Hridge Foreman 11. Reynolds, the following faulty timber being removed and replaced. Transomes Min bv liin I 11. Railing Ain by Ain, S'lii. Railing Ain bv Pin. ill) IS. Bracing Tin by lin. 2 11. Dis king Sin by lin, 20 IS, 12 12. Decking bin by tin 20/Decking Ain by 'Jin. 12 !S. Decking -lin by lin. (b IS. MAINTENANCE. The upper portion of Awaiuua Road which was in a very had condition was partly repaired with tailing ■■ravel, oh laiued from Waimea Creek. ImL tut weather interelered with Ihe worn which was only partly eomiileted when lie Hooded slate ol the creek prevented further material being obtained. The lovter portion ol the road has lie'll ■ u! up recently by heavy trallie, and the eii-q ol re nail's will amount to CAD. Gillum' ■ Lully Road was repaired over a tert short, distance. Kcpnii • a ill

he ‘ontimied ,-is soon a- line weather i-- experienced, an out lay of L2A w ill b -

necessary to place tlit* road in lair order. Repairs were effected tn a portion nl One Mile and Aralilira ','alle.v Road, anil v.ind Mown trees renamed Iroui German Road; defective decking removed and re.,laced on Waimea ( reels Bridge, and a culvert at St aflord ; trees removed from I hitlers’ Road ; and a concrete pipe culvert ron-■-trncteil on A rail lira Valiev Road. (I()d links aliovc -Malfroy’s Tram Crossing. CENTRAL 1! IDING. Kokatalii River Protection Ulii'Jf) grant. —The work of cutting sernli was proceeded w'lii on Lite last day of the moist 1 1 in readiness for the protective work to start as soon as line weather sets in. Portions of Cppcr and Tower Kokntalii Roads were repaired with prase! and melal. Lower Kokalalii Road cleaned and graded, and I lie new material placed on the min! rolled with the ten lon roller. Rad holes were repaired with broken metal on Lake Kanieri Road, between Ward Road and ( oal Creek, and a narrow portion of roadway on Slip Hill widened and gravelled. Defective decking was removed and replaced with I- inch din - meter eoiioerte pipes on H niiicipn! Rmid ; watertiibles were cleaned on Lake kanieri and Adairs, and Lower Kokatalii Road, and a drain cleaned along Camp Street, Kanieri. Rack Creek Road was repaired with gravel, and a quantity of roughly hroken metal pbiced in the nit- between the main road and the null. The crushing plant "as brought Irons Lake Kanieri Road, and placed in position at the bin. Kanieri. (lie oil engine installed and used lor driving the crushing plant. instead ol tile roml roller, uhieh will he more eeomitnieal and allow the roller to be always on the road. All tile machinery i- in e-nod order and working ".veil except lor a slight delect in a v.ual! working part ol the crusher uhieh will he remedied belore tnrther crushing take- place. NKCKSSARY WORK. I he p re-sent plant tor road repairs is inadequate to keep any oi the mads in decent order and should he supplemented eiilter by the purchase of a

suitable upping truck, or consider the advisability of letting coni carts f,n the supply of material for the nplccej of the roads in the Kokatahi District, On the whole the roads are going hack, and satisfaction cannot he given with the present plant available. Awatuna Road is had and three weeks work with one lorry will he necessary to place it in order. Blue Spur and the tipper I end of Lake Kanieri Roads are out oi order and require CTO expending in repairs. Lower Kokatahi Road between Kanieri and Kokatahi Bridge requires constant attention, the lorrv is generally required three days a week to I keep the road in rough order. All the J roads in the Koiternngi district require attention, being badly worn in large holes with motor traflic. hut only the

worst portions of the road in constant use for heavy traflie ran he attended to with the present plant available. SOUTHERN’ RIDING. ; Repairs were effected to the northern approach to Donnelly’s Creek footbridge. n drain cleaned and cleared, and encroaching growth cleaned on Waitaha Road. Bad holes repaired with grave! on Waitaha Settlement Road between the .Wain Highway and Mr Berry’s holding. Roadman Whitiskie attended to repairs on Petersen’s, Wanganui Flat. Haddock, and Robertson’s Roads.

COUNTY CHAIRMAN'S REPORT. Gentlemen,—l beg to report that

after some delay through unfavourable weather I was able to set out on the southern tour of inspection on the 4th inst.. favoured at the starting with good weather and favourable indications.

On the first day the Waitaha Settlement was visited and arrangements made with the Overseer to carry out improvements to the Settlement road, including grading, attention to water crossings, and filling a dangerous hole at the roadside.

At Kaknpotahi the continuation of the north approach to the new bridge to connect up with the Waitaha Reach road on high ground removed from Hoods was approved and the work authorised. J. Mnnera agreed to carry out the work on the line to be laid off by the Overseer and according to specifications prepared, for the sum ol LID. The line of road will serve also the carriage of timber hy Mr Chinn, and give access to the site for the proposed public siding on the tramway of Stuart and Chapman Ltd. The new bridge and protection were inspected ami found to he very sotislartory. Instructions were given to watch the channel of the river above the bridge, ami assist the stream, as much as possible to return to the high bluff on the south hank to lessen the danger <>! erosion to the north hank where there is now a good wall of stone protec-

A call was made at Evans road foi which an extension of construction is necessary. There is a ,L for C grant available and the Overseer was instructed to prepare the proposals to meet as far as possible the immediate requirements ol the settlers concerned.

Al Inter-Wanganui several matters were seen to. The site for a road and bridge asked for hy A! r AY. Wall was inspected. hut the expenditure involved was considered too high. It was suggested to Alt' Wall that lie erect a hridge to suit his own convenience on

a site mole satisfactory to his requirements, and the Council would lend all plant available and give assistance with the Roadman in the pile driving. This offer will probably he. adopted. The route for Peterson Road extension is in dispute, and alter conferring with the parties concerned no settlement or compromise could lie reached. Presumably therefore the road must follow the road line laid off which passed through the section of Mr Mclntosh. A proposal to move the road line In the front of the section was not acceptable to the other settlers eoileerned. as they feared the inroads of the river. The road proposals are to he prepared by the Overseer. Representatives til the local branch of the Farmers' Union urged attention to local matters, and satisfactory replies were given. Some open crossings are to he piped and levelled as circumstanet's permit, ami depressions attended to as far as possible on the district roads which are in very fair order. Jn anticipation of the vote for Robertson Road extension to Haddock road, the clearing has been put ill hand, and as soon as the pro/sisals are approved Hie work will he completed as speedily as possible. The residents favor railway extension south il il is considered possible to secure the necessary vote, and expressed the wish to co-operate with the Wataroa settlers in the public agitation. The Overseer was authorised to plot an area on the cemetery reserve for interment.s, and this is In he attended to next ueek. At Tetaho the completion ot the turn out on the approach to the local post office was arranged for. and the work will he littished immediately at a small cost. Various works were inspected in the Wataroa district, and the resident roadman instructed to give same alteution as time permitted. There is a kohl up to the expenditure of the Adamson road vote owing to the Max mill owner refusing In agree In the dosing of the iinlormed section ,of Friend road partly eroded, which was to he civen in exchange lor part payment rm iand taken lor the new road through Air Adamson’s section to gue access to Lower Wataroa road. "I he I>(ill representative was met jiml the position explained and discussed, hut no linn lily was reached beyond the promise to further consider the matter. .Meantime the mailing question will he held ill abeyance. The local Cemetery Committee has had very creditable work carried out for the recent expenditure bv the Council. The (imdition of tile grounds is a credit td all coil-

ecrued. A representative gathering of settlers tailed together hv the local branch of tie- Farmers’ Fnion discussed matters with me in the evening. Mr Geo. Nort hrrol'l, the Chairman of the branch, presided and was principal spokesman. The local people are most anxious lo see the railway extended smith, and wish the Council to co-oper-ate with the Farmers’ Union in urging the Government to carry out a promise with regard to a preliminary survey t i the lit j, Wanganui filer and a report "it the commercial side of the undertaking. That I promised mi I ehnlf ol the Coumil. to do, and a motion to that effect will he before you to-day. I’herc seemed to lie an impression among the members of the branch that the Council ua- hostile- in .some way.

and that in nar! teitlar exception was taken to the representa lions made through the Cumuli for rolling storkon the private line running to the Little Waitaha. It was explained lliat there was quite a misconception ol the position, a- it ua- mil until hope fur

the cxicll-tnn ol (lie railway Ini' til" lim *. ■ being had In i'ii ;i b;i llcliilii'it (li.'il thy Council sought mi ;i Iteniat ivi method to lit • 1 1» (lie settlors, iiml what has hcOll tlulit.' 1- lieillg tnkcll advalltity.i'* ol by the settlers adjacent to t!u i';iil-h<‘;itl. The Council in times past worked most actively tor tlie extension ol tlie line ami desisted only when it Wits <li'filli l l>I\ slated by the .Minister of Dublin Works for the time koine that the railway would not he within a reasonable neriod at least, further extended. What has been promised now is <juit• • in reason, and the Council will lo' lolly justified in doing all it can to obtain the reports the C!o----vcrnmoiit indicate are neivssary. and "it Unit information further aetion can i he organised. The meeting expressed ■ itself as being fpiire opposed to being , rated for Okarito harbour works. Tire work «as tavoured as a national Intt not as a district undertaking. It was pointed out that the port was not of j immediate advantage for the settlers’ produce now that motor traction sere-I ed, and there was definite objections to being included in any ratine; area for harbor purposes. A question was ' raised as to the representation of the Riding in the Council hut this lias hoen met by the decision at the September meeting to make an adjustment. A point was mentioned also ' about district expenditure in relation I to rates raised, and an explanation < was given oil the matter. The roads £ of the district were in good order, and e | this commendation applies to the roads traversed in South Westland generally On Tuesday morning I left Matniiuii on horse hack in compnnv with Roadman Nolan inspecting a request of Mill. Debit re a gravel pit, I instructed Mr Nolan to have same tilled in when time permitted. I also inspected an open crossing and asked the Roadman to have this remedied as early as possible. After leaving Watarao Flat we crossed the Waitanga. and traversed the south hank. Here I found a fine strip of rpad being cleared OS feet wide and grubbed IS feet wide, which will suit the settlers in this locality giving them splendid aceese to their holdings. Near- I

ing the mouth of Waitnngi, 1 found Roto bridge approaches were very soft, and under tidal water .‘Aft deep. T authorised the sum of £3, to cut a horse track round the higli ground to avoid this low lying country. Roto hridge was found to be in good order. On arriving at Oknrito lagoon, there was no hope of crossing, fortunately Mr N. Friend accompanied us from Waitnngi. and was good enough to boat us over. This river I know from old experience is never fordable. I would strongly recommend the Council to instal a ferryman so that all dangers will he avoided. Mr Friend is willing to take the position at CIA per year, and he was appointed subject to confirmation bv the Council.

Residents of Oknrito complained of a low part of the Three Milo track leading to the Trig outlook, and alter inspecting same I granted £3 for filling the depression with beach gravel.

Next morning an early start was made hv the sea beach route for Hruco Hay. An inspection was made <>i the south end of Three Aide track and approach. £2 are required for clearing the gor.se. As the approach to the track is subject to erosion by the sea in heavy weather, 1 decided not to interfere with tlie approach. Proceeding south to the Five Alile bridge an inspection of same was made. I found a good deal of expenditure necessary to restore the bridge for the general traffic and a Government grant is required. At Five Mile beach I called on Messrs Millards and asked them to enter into a small bond, say £2, and they could have the boat (now lying at Five Aide Creek! and take it to Three .Alile Creek. Tins olfer was refused.

Proceeding lo the mouth of the AY aiho, I found it necessary to take the bridle track to the lord. There I found it necessary to extend the track another 30 chains to a more permanent ford. For this work the Council has granted already £IT

Proceeding from. AVaiho I found the beach route in very good order. I inspected the Galway Track recently cleared out by Hagley liros ; they made a good job of it. At Gillespies an inspection of Iho cemetery was made and was found necessary for some little attention. HagIcy Bros offered to make a good job of it for £2. I granted this expenditure. On rounding Cook’s Bluff T found the track needed some attention, broken culverts, etc., en route. I arranged with Air Walsh to do the job for Co. We found the track on the south side of Cook’s river completely blocked; and the tide prevented us from rounding the bind, so we proceeded up Cook's river to inspect Walsh road, in crossing Clearwater we found a 1(1 feet hridge was necessary to assure a safe crossing for foot trallie. .A small expenditure was necessary, sai LA, pending a Government grant being obtained. Staying the night at Kara'ngarßa the residents brought under my notice the fencing of the cemetery. I think this work can he left in the hands of t lie Dist riot Commit t ee.

An inspect ion of Karangarua river erosion was made near M.r A. Scott s homestead, and Mr Scott agreed with me that a small protective work was of no benefit, so I authorised the sum of LA to clear out large stones in the tiqil re channel with the object ol enticing, the river to the centre course. Proceeding south we were met by AH If. Thompson. He asked us to have iu look at .some erosion near his homestead at Alanakaiu creek, and asked lor six wire nets, and he would do the work himself. This was arranged lor. At Hunts track Air E. Wilson brought under my notice the necessity of raising a portion of the road where Hood w aters scoured (imsidetahly. I granted him LS to do the wink himself. By this time we were feeling like a meal. Fortunately early in the morning we lane up my old friend. Air If. Ritchie, to have a whitebait dinner ready, and needless to say wc did justice to it. While at .Jacob’s river the residents risked for a Irn-k to the native cernc tery. I met tlm Chairman of the Advisory Committee and asked him to attend to this work, cost about £A. Proceeding -onlh towards Bruce Bay we came access a portion of unmade road, apparently under dispute over native land. This i- very regrettable, as the travelling public are forced to take to the sea. beach verv often at

high witter. In crossing the Maintain river I found the approaches on the north and south side needed some altonlion for wheel (rallie. Mr Thomson, who accompanied us agreed to do this work for £:!. Proceeding to the Flower Pot an inspection was made: T consider this work i- a great boon to the settlers. 1 learn the Public Works are having a sheeprace made, so that sheep can he driven right out to the end of the laudiim This work "ill he a great convenience lor pet,pie shipping sheep. 1 would advise that the I’tthlie Works 1,0 asked in have :t concrete platform, say pi >; li,

made on top of the- rock. I would strongly urge the Council to apply for a grant for the road from Bruce Bay landing to Maliitnhi river. I his road when completed, would give the set!lers access nt any time. and the title would not interfere with anyone going or coining I<, Flower I’m. Du returning to Wailio I inspected Doohertv ( reck road and found small icpairs were necessary near Gild) Bros, holdings. I iit -1 meted Mr Gibb to get the necessary timher ready, and Itoaduiau Xolan to go down and have the work done. Wildcat Wehcka T made ciKpiirics re prospecting track at Cooks Gorge. Mr Sweeney spent a good deal of time doing this work, and 1 would advi-e Co he paid to Mr Sweeney. Reaching Waiho on Saturday Mr Crnham brought under my notice the necessity of having a landing built at Lake Mapotirikn. so that people would have no difficulty getting in and out of the launch. The Tourist Department might he approached on this matter for say about £l(). While at Wailio 1 intended to make a Gup into the Callery Gorge, hut w,sillier conditions prevented me. I met .Messrs Watson and Burnett

s and informed them they would ho paid if f nr 'heir work clearing out C'allerv ’ track, should money come to hand - the Mine:- Department, s Ihe following day. when returning i '‘'"no I mot Mr Minohnn at the Little . A\ angjumi lorry reserve, and made a . close inspection of the position. Mr Minehau tears lurthor erosion, hut nn- I til that comes, then the matter eotild he reviewed again. 1 consider the in- i - creased rent should he paid in eon- | fortuity with the rate charged to all I occupiers of ferrv reserves. It is a good section, and the rent fixed is not excessive. P