WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 19 July 1927, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

TUESDAY, JULY 19th. COUNTY OVERSEER’S REPORT. I have the honour to report upon the progress of works during the month of June. NORTHERN RIDING. MAINTENANCE. Roadman Olderog attended to the cleaning of watertables and minor repairs on Hokitika, Han Hau and Blue Spur Roads, renewal of decking on Palmer's Creek Bridge; cleaning the drains on Humphrey’s Road along the frontages to J. Harris and G. Lopas, holdings. The County lorry was sent out to Arahurn and was engaged for four days carting material from Two Mile Road and it roadside pit near Palmer’s Greek Bridge No 3, to effect the most necessary repairs to One Aide. Arahurn Valley, and Humphreys Roads.

CENTRAL RIDING,. Station Road. The contractors for tliis work' are making good progress with the formation and metalling and had advanced to peg 28 chains, leaving 18 chains to complete the length specified in their contract. AlcArtlmr Road Drainage and Formation. This work is progressing in a satisfactory manner and according to specification. On June 30th H ■(bains of the 6 feet by 3 feet drain, bad been completed on each side of the road line, and 14 chains of forma lion .almost finished.

Doughboy Road Drain. Ibis work was in band during the Hist week in Alny. and the work was continued and completed ‘the third week in June, in addition, a. defective culvert crossing c,i Doughboy Road cm the drain outlet, was removed and reconstructed with 7 18-ineli diameter concrete

pipes. Seddon’s Terraco I rack. Ibe widening was continued and completed over the' distance specified and is now of sufficient width for motor traffic; to the first flat below Seddon's Terrace Road. The first three chains of portion widened some months since, requires gravelling and this can only be effected by the lorry as the material will to be carted from Kiiiiu.

AIAIX T E N A X C K. Portions of Lower Kokutahi. Koiterangi, Cropp's and Luke Kaiueri Roads were repaired with gravel. Repairs cm the lower portion of Lower Kokutahi Road between Lung Road and Kanieri township were effected with crushed metal, blinded, and well rolled with the ten ton roller, and is giving excellent results under heavy traffic. A short portion of Arthurstowti. and South Hokitika Road was repaired with river beach gravel, and the metalling of the turnout approach to the Golf Links almost completed. Watertables were cleaned on Lake K;inicri-Hokitika, Hau Hau and Blue Spur Roads. Defective decking renewed on .Mirror Creek Bridge. Ruat a pit Read, and on No J Duck Creek Bridge. Kokatalii Road. A section of Lake Kanieri Road was graded, and the outer growth on Pine Tree Road cut off, and graded to prevent the accuinulation ol drainage on the road centre. A short portion ot Gamp Road was improved by a coating cl dredge screenings. A concrete pipe drain was constructed on Cropp Road. CRUSHER PLANT. The crushing plant was operated lor several days and a quantity of metal broken and carted out tor Lower Kokatalii and Kanieri Lake Road repairs. All the plant was found to lie in good working order excepting the driving belt w hich will require renewshot i l.v. southern riding. fanner,ons Greek Bridge. Ibe working party directed by the Count A Bridge Foreman, continued the work of erecting the. bridge and the construction of the approaches which should he completed early in July. MAINTENANCE. The Roadman in the Inter-Wanga-nui district attended to (leaning watertables, breaking metal, and general repairs on Petersen's Road ; cartage of pipes to pipe culvert at approach to llarihari Hall, and to a culver! on Robertson Road, placing pipes at approach and Robertson Road Culvert, cartage of gravel lor filling in approach to Hall, and traffic worn holes on Robertson Road. .Repairs were ids:: effected to bad boles mi Waitaha Bench Road. The Roadman in the A!atai.nui district attended to repairs to Okarito, Detour and Watnroa Elat Roads, cutting down approach to Grahams, Waitangi River and to river approach to Loan Block Road. ROAD ROLLER. The ten ton roller was engaged for seven days rolling crushed metal, blinding and gravel on fsiwer Jvokatnlii Road between Lang Road and Kanieri township. NO. 1 LORRY. No. 1 lorry worked 23 days during the month, being idle on June 3rd. the King’s Birthday, also <m June tilth being overhauled. On June 22nd and 23rd the lorry was loaned to the Hokitika 'Borough Council and was occupied in grading the streets. 'I lie balance of the month 21 days was occupied in hauling gravel, broken metal. and blinding for repairs to Lake Kanieri. Lower Kokatalii. Cropp's, lvoiterangi. South Hokitika, Arthurstown. One Mile and Arahurn Valley Roads. One load of 18-inch diameter pipes were carted from Kanieri to Waitaha Beach and two loads of timber ami iron from Hokuika to Kanieri, also Hokitika and Kanieri exhibits at the Kokatalii Winter Show returned to Hokitika. The greater portion of the haulage was over long distances during showery weather and very heavy hauling on the river beat lies.

NO. 2 LOBBY. No 2 lorry worked 21 days during the month being idle on June 3rd, the King’s Birthday, and was occupied during the period mentioned in the cartage of broken metal, gravel and blinding for repairs to Lake Kanicri. Kokatd hi. Koiterangi. Oopp’s Arthurstou. and South Hokitika Jioads, and the cartage of one load ot 18-inch pipes of Waitaha Beach Bond and one load of 18-inch and 12-inch diameter pipes for culverts on the new section of McArthur Bond now under construction.

CHAIRMAN'S REDOUT. 1 have the honor eo report- that the matter of the interest on Bank overdraft has had my attention. Ihe iepl\ from the authorities not being satisfactory so far. further representations have l>een made, and a reply is awaited. I would like to point out that local body overdrafts are specially secured by statute, so that the lending institution has a first-class security. Notwithstanding that security the rate of interest on overdrafts is increased while ordinary business accommodation which is not secured, so absolutely, escapes any increase. This seems very unfair, and though the position has been so represented, the hanking authorites by associated agreement refuse to recognise the equity of the position.

' With regard to the action commenced by Mr Bond of Arahura for alleged damage to lii.s land, notice of discontinuance was served prior to the date of hearing, and plaintiff paid the Council’s cost in the suit. Subsequently Mr Bond gave notice to proceed under the Public Works Act, claiming a much larger sum for the same alleged damage. A notice to object to the claim has been filed on ltehalf of the I Council, the interests of which will he protected.

As a result of a visit of inspection to Milltown Bond Overseer Millncr was instructed to have the repairs to the road attended to. and Roadman Oldorog was to bo detailed for the work. Repairs to Ward Road and Wall Road were authorised also, as soon as it can ho arranged for the staff to attend to the work.

I am gla-.l to report that arrangements were finalised satisfactorily respecting the upkeep charge for Upper Kokatahi Road, the fees due to June JOth. having been paid in full. Proposals covering the reconstruction of No. 11l Duck Creek Bridge on a £ for £ grant, have boon submitted to the Public Works Department for approval and authority. This work is considered urgent by the Overseer, and during reconstruction a temporary ford will require to be used. The Bridge-Fore-man who will complete Granite Crook Bridge shortly will be available to undertake the Kokatahi work when authority is received.

Proposals have also been sent in for forming Ruulnpu-Mahinapua road as a means of affording employment for unemployed married mill-hands on the Ross railway line. The vote suggested is C-100, and instructions affecting the expenditure are now awaited. 1 am glad to he aide to report Unit the Overseer is carrying out the general instructions of the Council with regard to the curtailment of expenditure for the dune quarter for the past

With the loss of revenue in different directions it is imperative to continue the restriction and the continued (•o-operati"n of the staff in that dire tion will lie appreciated. At this meeting the Council will he striking tip annual rate, and ratepayers would assist the Council greatly at this juncture by prompt payment and so reduce th“ overdraft charges. Roadman Nolan leaves the Council’s services at the end of the month after useful work in the ratepayers’ interests. As lie is so familiar with the district ho controlled, and will continue to reside there. 1 hope bis advice and assistance will be available to the Council on any matter it may lie ( ausidered necessary to consult him.

illroo years: — 1925 . £(1215 18 5 192(i 8718 19 9 1927 5885 17 5