The guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1927. ROADING.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 December 1927, Page 2

The guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1927. ROADING.

A rather adequate reply lias been furnished to the late .strictures passed oil West Coast roads by a recent visitor, but it will not always be possible to overtake the story given out with “scare” headings by such a widely read paper as the Christchurch “Press.” A measure of harm must certainly bo done, and it is to be hoped now that the wild statements made by the individual have been so thoroughly controverted from various sources, that some explanation or apology will lie made affording equal publicity to that of the former statement which is not supported by the opinion of others. It will be recalled that Mr Amery, speaking here on Monday in reference to the main, soutli road, said it “was well constructed and comfortable to travel on.” This was further confirmed bv the celerity with which the party traversed the 7-1 miles between Waiho and Ross, the time occupied, including a stoppage for morning tea, being 3} hours. This was an average speed quite fast enough to enjoy the scenery and means that in point of time, a little over four hours travelling time suffices to cover the through journey to Hokitika. On Sunday last a private car did the journey to 'Waiho and back from town, and the trip was performed in comfort. About thirteen hours were occupied with several stoppages and a stay and rest at Waiho for lunch. Roads which permit of such quick travelling for the distance covered, must indeed be in good order. This is further substantiated by the following excerpt from the Christchurch “Press” which, however, did not give the matter the same prominent position in the motoring column as was done with the first misleading statements

“The criticism of Mr Keith Hadfield. of Christchurch, concerning the state of the "West Coast roads is not supported by Mr A. R. Galbraith. City Engineer, who returned to Christchurch on Saturday after a visit lo South Westland. ‘We travelled by car from Greymouth to the glacier, via Hokitika and Ross,’ said Mr Galbraith to a representative yesterday. ‘and although the roads were certainly narrow- we found them to be in quite good condition. There were one or two bad patches, of eouse, but nothing serious enough to justify our complaining about them.’ Mr Galbraith added That the ear in which he made the journey was able to “track” well, but lie could easily understand that a car with a narrower gauge might experience trouble on the roads.”

The length of road involved in the West Coast routes is very considerable, and it might be expected there would be some parts slightly out of order That condition exists in the best patrolled roads in the world. But the complaining visitor even condemned repair methods. He had some objection to road grading. Tt is a first essential to keep or to let the water off a road, and grading not only- assists to that end, but brings in for use again the spoil worked to the outside. There is thus a double economy in grading a road, and the individual who complains al>out the metho as a first step to efficient maintenance, displays his ignorance of practical workmanship. Evidently he saw some grading in progress and jumped to a foolish conclusion. Like with the first coat of paint, a. building appears very rough and unfinished, but- when the workmen work up the finishing coat, all occasion for complaint disappears. So with grading, the first cut is rough and unkempt, but when the road is cleaned pp and set, the great ffnprpyement is

apparent. Those with any intimate knowledge of the main highways realise there is very littlo to complain of in the state of arterial roads.

It was mentioned at the meeting of the County Council this week that some relief was to he given local bodies to make good the loss of revenue by the non-rating of standing timber. The loss of revenue thereby was considerable throughout the whole Dominion, and last year a conference was held at Wellington in the endeavour to adjust the 'matter. A decision was not reached, hut the Hon Minister in Charge of the Valuation Department promised to go into the question prior to the session. Mr McLeod was as good as his word, and in the Finance (No. 2) Bill at the close of tin* session there was a provision to levy one penny per 100 feet of native timber to replace the former rating. This was opposed by the Sawmillcrs' Federation, and the Minister so far gave way as to agree to the levy being reduced from a penny to a half-penny, and that impost has now been decided upon. The levy dales from the Ist. April last, the period since the rating system was discontinued. The local bodies will he grateful for the financial help given in the manner proposed. Naturally in such a timber country as Westland, the levy will he a source of income to the local body for many years to come. It has yet to he ascertained how far the levy will ga to meet the hiss in rating, hut it will he some help at. all events, and the Minister, as indeed the Government, is to tie congratulated on honouring the promise made in the matter. Local bodies, and (particularly those with timber hearing lands, have had their revenues much depleted of late b.v the loss of various sources of revenue. It would appear that to replace loss of royalties some similar provision should he made, the amount to lie recoverable from State Forest revenues which are derived in the main from what should l>e the income of the local bodies. Yet the obligations are still on the local bodies |o maintain tin l public triads. This Is an unfair position, which sooner or later must also he adjusted to some extent at least.