MAIN HIGHWAYS BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 29 January 1926, Page 1

MAIN HIGHWAYS BOARD

The members of the Highways Board who went south on Wednesday in two motor-carS, did the journey in the forenoon from Hokitika to AYaiho in a little over four hours. This gave the party time in the afternoon to see something of the AA'ailio Glacier. Yesterday morning the return journey was made. The party left AY aiho about 8..'50 and branched into Okarito, then resumed the journey to Hokitika which was reached at 1.110 o’clock. After lunch the party left at 11 o’clock ior Greymouth where the Grey County Council was met. and highway matters discussed. To-day the Board proceeds via Reefton to Westport, and to-mor-row will go on to Nelson. On Sunday the party will reach Blenheim, the starting point of the South Island tour.

The members of the Board spoke well of the South Westland tour. The road was found in good order, as the travelling time indicates. There were no difficulties with the creek crossings, the weather being ideal. All the crossings were inspected, photographs being taken in some instances. The smaller creeks between Ross and Hariliari were inspected, and it was decided that pine crossings would not he suitable or at all satisfactory. Small bridges will lie necessary, and an estimate is to he prepared as to the cost involved, when, if the local body subsidy is forthcoming, the work will be carried out.

At Wniho Gorge a deputation of Cooks River settlers waited on the Board and urged expedition in the erection of the Wniho River bridge. The assurance of Mr Furkert that though the bridge might not he erected in a year it would not take much longer, was a relief as there was an impression the work would not be out of hand for live years. The deputation asked that some of the sharp corners on the Wniknltupa section of the road might ho improved, n request which is to he looked into. Generally the members of the Board were verv pleased with their visit, and glad of the opportunity to inspect the route of tin 1 main highway. Of the whole length the Ross section was the least satisfactory, and no doubt this will he remedied. The question of the bridges will he deliberated upon later on return In Wellington, when ways and means are to he considered, and the opinion was expressed it was only a matter of time before the work was undertaken. hut in view of the total cost, it would he possible only to proceed with the works in order of imporl a nee.

Work on Wniho bridge is proceeding hill labor is said to he short and there is room for a few laborers at navvy work. The excavations are now in hand, hill progress is hampered by billowing water. Every expedition is to he used to push the work through as speedily as possible.