WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 12 January 1926, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

CHAIRMAN’S' REPORT

Gentlemen, —1 have the honour to report that iu company with Overseer Millner a visit was made to Waipara County, North Canterbury, to determine the utility of the McCormackDeering tractor for use in the haulage of material for repairs to roads and bridges in the County of Westland. While not wishing to condemn the usefulness'of the tractor and dump trucks under suitable conditions, I am firmly convinced that it is not a suitable outfit'for our wet climate. The machine was seen'working in a dry country, and under ideal conditions, and it- was unable to haul the loaded trailer from the pit owing to the wheels skidding, and not gripping the surface.

The trial was in a dry gravel pit but the difficulty could have been overcome by planking under the wheels of the tractor. In our country, seventylive per cent of oi'vr gravel pits would have to be planked for a tractor to liaul a trailer out, and a tractor would have no chance whatever of getting off a river bed with a loaded trailer behind.

On the hard road the tractor will haul a loaded trailer containing one and a-half yards of gravel, at between seven and eight miles an hour, but these trailers would not be suitable for carting bridge timber.

I am not in a position to report on the durability of the tractor in comparsion to a motor lorry, but consider that if the machine were constructed with a four wheel drive it could negotiate any reasonable soft "country. The tractor, having no extra springs, would lie very much against it on our very uneven roads. The young man who was driving the machine informed me that lie could not stand the drviing very long as it was shaking him too much, for, although the roads had a very smooth surface, the tractor was rough to ride on. In conclusion [ wish to mention the courtesy and kimliiess shown us by Mr Jones, Christchurch, manager of the Internationa] Harvester Company, who motored us for miles through Canterbury into the district where the tractor was at work, and we are indebted solely to him for all information received.

Since the foregoing report was drawn up, a Graham Bros’ dump truck now at Murchison, was brought under my notice. The owner is prepared to give a domosntration at Hokitika, and if satisfactory will sell the truck for

I'fiOO at Hokitika. Failing' securing a Duplex lorry which I consider the best proposition for the Council, the Graham Truck appears the next best subject for approval at the trial. I would point on the special terms now offered to the Council, a saving can he made by procuring the Duplex lorry through Stuart and Chapman, the local agents. In round figures the Duplex will cost £1,050 landed here, and it is the best machine for the Council's work. OVERSEER'S KKPOBT. I have the honour to report upon the progress of works during the month of December, 1025. .ViRTHERX RIDING.

Repairs were effected by metalling portions of Arahura Valley and Humphreys Roads; water-tables cleaned on'Christchurch road, and defective decking removed and replaced on a

culvert on Fox’s Road. A. vote of £5 was expended in metalling .Murray's Road between Ilokitika-Kumara Road and Murray’s residence, Kelly’s Terrace. 'Water-tables were cleaned oil Hokitika-Kumara. Christchurch and Blue Spur-Arahura Hoads. Corse and blackberry growth cleared and repairs effected to bad holes and ruts on Hoki-tika-Kumara Road between Larrikins Loopline and Kumura Borough. A grant of £3 was expended by the Araliurn School Committee in the removal of the hank of sand and loam from the One Mile Road reserve between Die road and the school fence, resulting in an improved vision for approaching traffic to drivers of vehicles.

I CENTRAL RIDING, i Repairs were effected to motor worn holes and ruts on Lower Kokntnhi, Ivoiterangi, McArthur, Hokitika Flat, Hokitikn-Hau Han portions of Blue Spur. Adairs, Mahinapua (South Hokitika). Lake Kanicri, and northern approach to Kokntnhi Bridge, which was also graded and rolled. Defective decking was replaced on several bridges on Lower Kokntnhi, Koiternngi, and Cnmelbaek Roads. Water-tables were cleaned on Hokitikn-Hau TT.ui, Pine Tree, Lower Kokntnhi, Lake Kanicri, Adairs’ and Hau Han roads, and a small defective culvert on Lake Knnieri road removed and renewed with twelve inch diameter pipes. Two concrete pipe drains were constructed on Forestry Road (Back Creek), one of 8-inch diameter near tho Diggers’ Sawmill, and one twelve-inch in diameter midway between Ross Road and the Forestry Residence at the Nursery. SOUTHERN RIDING.

Harvey's Creek Bridge, £250 grant, was completed, but the continued wet weather delayed the completion of the wire net and stone protection work round the toe of tho western abutment. This has now been completed and the working party removed to Palmer’s Creek Bridge. Arahura Valley Road.

Ruatnpu road was repaired with gravel between Ross road and Ruatapu. Water-tables were cleaned and gorse cleared from the lower end «f Woolbouse Road. .Repairs to flood damage on the northern approach to Kakapotai Bridge were put in hand and the break well filled in. and communication restored on Jannarv 7th.

Repairs were also effected to badly scoured portions of the upper end of Waitaha Reach Road. Waitaha Settleton load was graded and cleaned with the large road grader, between the Main South Road and the Dairy Factory, and a fpiuniity of concrete pipes for culvert renewal carted from Ross railway station to Waitaha. A load of timber was taken from Kaknpotnhi Bridge to Robertson Road for culvert construction, and the road grader removed from Harihari for use on Waitaha Settlement and Reach roads. Water-tables were cleared on Ruatapu, Waitaha Settlement and Waitaha Beach roads. The resident Roadman at Harihari attended to the usual maintenance work on the various roads, also to stripping gravel pits and etfnstrueting concrete pipes.