MAIN HIGHWAYS

Hokitika Guardian, 8 May 1926, Page 3

MAIN HIGHWAYS

MEETING OF DISTRICT COUNCIL.

The No, 12 (AVest Coast) District Council met at the Public Works Office Greymoiith last evening at 7.40 o’clock. Present:—Messrs H. A. AVatkinson (District Engineer) in the chair, J. Higgins (Grey) i J. Powell (Buller) D. J. Evans (AVestland). An apology was received for the absence of Air Bell (Tnangnlnm).

The Chairman extended a welcome to Air Powell, lately appointed to the Council, vice Air Archer. Applications were received for the declaration of main highways as follows—

From AVestland County Council; Kokatahi-Koiterangi road, from Ivanieri township to junction with Lime Kiln road. 12 miles, average expenditure per annum, £1,230. —Recommended. From Grey County Council; Coast road to AVest port in Grey County, 20.) miles, average cost £1.724. —Recommended.

From Buller County Council: Coast to Grcymouth, in Buller County, 27.', miles, average cost £500.-—Recom-mended.

From Buller County Council: Loopline road, Westport to Nine Alile point, recommended subject to all particulars being supplied promptly.

The Chairman read tho annual report of works completed up to 31st Afarcli, 1926, and the amount of maintenance work carried out. The mileage of roads maintained is as follows— AVestland 155, Grey 33J, Tnangiihua 40, Buller 105, total 333 i miles. Of this amount, with the exception of the Grey 33;\- miles and 29) miles in the Buller District, the roads are maintained by the Public AA’orks Department. The principal new works carried out in AVestland County were:—-Frosty Creek bridge (Boss road) completed; Bridge near Kokatahi track (Ross road) material ordered; Totara bridge, new structure well under way; Zala bridge (South road), plans approved material ordered; road deviation at Aiekens (Christchurch road), 17 chains constructed.

Tlie principal maintenance works carried out iri Westland County were:— Teremakau-Ross section, usual maintenance; Alirror Creek bridge (Ross road) repaired with hardwood: RossAVaiho road, eight culverts renewed in concrete; Arthurs Pass road, usual maintenance; Otira bridge, damage renewed; Taipo bridge, material tor repairs ordered. —A pproved. Tho Afain Highways Board wrote that in consequence of complaints from the Buller district, proprietors of motor buses had been warned to limit the width of side loading so that with tlie overhang the total widtli of bus and load would not exceed eight feet.. The Oliairmn stated notices have been sent to other bus proprietors in the. No 12 district.—Approved.

Regarding the classification of Alain Highways the Chairman reported the following 'recommendations had been made for AVestlnml County :—-Tcremakau to Ross. 8 ions; Ross to AVailio. and Klimnrn la Arthurs Pass. (5 tons. commendations.

The Highways Board notified the following levies for maintenance had been made after due consideration of the represnfatives made by the >espective Councils when the Board liioml,ors visited the Coast: —Boiler County (IUS miles) 9850; Inangnhua (40 miles) £520; Grey County (S 3) miles) £580; AVestland County (155 miles) £1530. , , The Chairman stated lie had been asked to notify the six most dangerous railway crossings in tlie Highway district, and had advised as follows: Teremakau bridge. Brunner, Kamaka (2), AA'aimangarmt. Aieken’s (Ch. Ch. Road) He had mentioned Tamm St. as a supplementary dangerous crossing.— Approved. The Chairman referred to the amended motor regulations affecting heavy traffic, and the nc-w provision of one allocating body for the district, the amount to be appropriated monthly. Mr Evans said the south group hail recommended the Grey County. The Chairman brought forward the draft, of the Estimates for l92()-2< Those referred to in AVestland County included the following: For new works: -—AVaimea Creek bridge at Stafford. £1112; bridge, Ross Road, near Kokatahi truck, £39oMolara bridge, balance to complete, £776; Granite bridge, Ferguson’s. £290; Cameron’s bridge, tantlie, £208; Cmvhido ■Creek, C 1030; Dry Creek bridge, £3000; AVataroa Deviation. £1770; AlcCullough Creek. £1000; Zala Creek, £.-,02; AlcDonald Creek. £1930; Potter’s ’ Creek. £2.250; small bridges, Arthur’s Pass Road. £725. The total for No. 12 district is £40,125. of which £20.000 arc liabilities incurred or authorised. For maintenance works in A\ est. land—Ataintename Main Highway sections, Teremakau to Ross, £2520; Ross to AVailio, £4250; Kumara to Arthur’s Pass, £2640; total £9,410; special works. Teremakau road drain, £250; Hokitika river bridge. £500; tarring and sanding bridges, £500; fencing approaches. £7O; Taipo bridge repairs, £6OO. The total for the district is £35,371, including £823 for highways in Boroughs. Afr Evans asked that some attention under maintenance should bo given to Selby’s Hill, on Kanieri highway road to improve the Usability. I lie Chniiman said funds were short, and if there was a danger, traffic road signs should lie erected. Probably the signs I would he supplied by the Automobile

Association. The Chairman intimated lie had received instructions to prepare plans for Drv Creek bridge, main South Road, and would visit the site next week to sec the position. Jt was stated the Highways Board had been communicating with the Railway Department relative to warning signals oil Tcremak.au bridge and the Chairman proposed to look into the matter of whether any further improvement could he made to the- approach to the bridge to give earlier visibility. . The Railway Board advised its willingness to find half tbe cost of removing the bill, to improve visabilitv. If this work is carried out. traffic using the bridge will not require to turn oft the bridge at the sharp angle necessary at present, The 'Chairman advised .that tne Board bad asked for a set of plans showing the longitudal section of the main highways in the district, and this he had supplied. The meeting concluded at J,lo o’ clock.