HIGHWAYS BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 23 April 1928, Page 4

HIGHWAYS BOARD

VISIT TO HOKITIKA. Ihe members of the Highways Board arrived in Hokitika on Saturday evening and met the Westland County Council and Hokitika Borough Council at the County Chambers at 7.30 p.m. Iho members of the Board present were:—Messrs dull (Acting Ch airman, N.Z. Counties representative), J. Wood (Government representative), C. J. lalhot (Counties representative), M. 11. V ynyaril ■,Motorists representative), J. J. Gibson (Government representative), A. Tyndall (Board’s Engineer;, \\ . A. Sutherland (Secretary), and T. A. Johnston (District Engineer). The County representatives present were:—Messrs J. A. .Murdoch (County Chairman, in the chair). L. 11. Morel, W. Jeffries, and T. R. Chcsterman, while -Messrs Perry (.Mayor) and Dr Teieholmami represented the Borough Council.

Air Murdoch extended a welcome again to the members of the Highways Board. He regretted that Air Euikcrt was not present that evening. He wished to thank the Board for taking over additional roads for main highways administration as secondary roads. There were a number of matters that they desired to bring under the notices of the Board which lie would refer to briefly. They desired to ascertain the terms of subsidy towards maintenance and general repairs of proclaimed main highways. Re Detour road, Wataroa, to apply for a subsidy equal to the main highway rate, as all main south highway traffic passes over the Detour road. The present subsidy was C for C.

In connection with Detour road, Wataroa. to invite the Alain Highways Board to look into matters (a) of widen, ing the narrow portions of road and (b) bridge construction over open crossing on route, and rate of subsidy available.

Kumara (Sandy's Hill) to Kapitca Detour road.—They wished to apply for C for C subsidy for maintenance, as a large amount of general traffic now traverses the route.

Enquire the terms on which roadmaking machinery was procurable, and advice as to type of tractors and adaptability for general road work. Air G. A. Perry (Mayorl on behalf of the Borough, extended a welcome to the town to the members of the Board. Tie was glad to he present that evening and later would bring several matters before them at the conclusion of their business with the County.

AH Jeffries supported the remarks of the Chairman and made special reference to Detour road, nothing having been spent on the straight road of over 1J miles in length. He also asked for the assistance of the Board in supplying advice on the best road-making machinery it was advisable for the Council to procure.

Air Chcsterman endorsed the welcome and referred with pleasure to the Board having taken over the Kokatalii road as a main highway. Air .Morel said he was very pleased at the Board having taken over the main road in Kokatahi district.

Air Evans, dealing with the question of Detour road, stated that this road was now used for all south Ira (lie, the cost of upkeep averaging Cl2O per year. Air Jull (acfing-Chnirman of the Board) apologised for the absence of their Chairman (Air Furkcrt) owing to official business. They came here with particular pleasure in the knowledge that their actions during the year had given satisfaction to the people of the district, as a result of taking over of some of the subsidiary roads of the district. It was not considered that there would he any construction works •on these secondary roads. fn regard to subsidy that will lie payable to these secondary roads, the intention was to place these roads on the statutory basis of 30s to Cl. How long that subsidy will he maintained will he subject to Ihe experience of the Board, as if necessary revision will he made as it is found how the present arrangements worked out. There had been an increase of 20,000 of now motor vehicles and with 5,000 old ones withdrawn, leaving an additional 15,000 vehicles lor revenue and also for damage to the roads. The date on which subsidy for secondary roads will accrue will he from 2nd April. In regard to Detour road they had observed it when here last time and their observations would he noted for consideration of the terms of subsidy. The question of widenin«x must lie taken into consideration in connection witli bridging requirements, lie thought it would he better to proceed with the bridging in preference to widening the roadways. Widening work would he very costly in this district, while there was no density of traffic to warrant it. In regard to the matter of advice in regard to machinery, their Inspecting Engineer (Mr Tyndall) would he at the disposal of County Council to give them advice on the matter. The Board placed four years as the limit for the purchase of machinery and the Board had been pleased to give every nssfstanco to local bodies.

ATr AA’ynyard (Motorists representative) said the Board had decided to make periodical trips, meet local bodies and make their personal observations of local conditions. This resolve had proved satisfactory alike to the Board and local bodies. In connection with finance, he mentioned that the petrol tax was made for the purpose of adding to their finances and to make good the shortage of their funds and to continue their present subsidy to local bodies. One provision made was to help the general "ratepayers in the Counties by taking over an additional quantity of County roads. They were prosing forward in different portions of New Zealand with various works to give assistance to the users of the roads.

Air Talbot said he had been looking forward to this, his first visit to the AYest Coast. He was the only South Island member living in the South Island who was on the Board. He was also as a member of a County Conned able to look on matters from two stand, points that of the County and also of the Board. The keeping of the metal on the roads was one of the main works of the Board. It was found, however, that when the main roads were improved the by-roads had also to he improved to bring them up nearer to the con dition of the main roads.

Mr Gibson (Government representative) said his position on the Board was due to an unfortunate occurrence, the death of ATr AValdie. who had been so well known on the AA'est Coast. He trusted that the work of the Board would prove of general advantage and “‘vc satisfaction to the oeople generally.

Mr Murdoch expressed his great '"'ensure at the courtesy extended by the members of the Board. Hr eulogised the past work of the Rnr.nl stating if there was one Government Department that had qualified for its setting up it was the Highways Board. It was a good department and he tell they would never regret its inauguration.

Afr Perry on behalf of the Rornu:-b Council requested approval of the Boar 1 of proposals by the Borough Counc'l for the widening of the main Irglnva v in the town, and the tar sealing thereof. They also ashed that the Board include AVcld Street and Gibson Quay and intermediary streets ip the list of secondary streets,

Air Jull, replying in regard to the widening and reconditioning of the main highway said if the Borough would submit proposals they would consider them in their estimates. He stated that he could safely say that no consideration could he expected towards their side streets.

A general discussion then took place and after the Mayor had returned thanks for the hearing the meeting terminated.