WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 May 1929, Page 7

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

COUNTY CHAIRMAN’S REPORT. 0 cMtilomtMv—Before rei i nquish i ug office at the end of the term hoav approaching, I desire to place on record my appreciation of your valued support during the year and congratulate the Council on the good work carried out during the triennial period now closing. Since the members came into office three years ago, there has been a material improvement in the roads, and though this has involved expense of a special nature, there has been at the same time a material improvement in the financial position of the Council. ' The latter pleasing lesult is best indicated by a statement of the annual bank balances for the past three years were as follows : 1927. —Debit Balance, March 31st, £3330 19s' 9d. 1928. Debit Balance, March 31st, £IBBS 8s lid. 1929.- Credit Balance, March 31st, £741 8s 2d. It will be a source of satisfaction to the rate-payers to find that the finance are in such a hea’thy condition, more especially that the result in regard to the improvements to the roads and the betterment, in the financial position has been achieved without increasing the rates.

I attribute the general satisfactory result to several causes, both in regard to increased income from special sources, and also in respect to improved methods, of maintenance by the use of machinery worked on -ecJononijcal lines. As regards the income, thanks to the persistent advocacy of Mr Murdoch in respect to the royalties question, an increased revenue is now being obtained from that quarter as the Treasurer’s statement disclosed at the former meeting. There lias been also the assitance in respect to secondary highways, the control of which are in the hands of the Council under Govern ment subsidy of £2 for £l. It has been possible to employ very largely the Council staff and road plant on these roads, and with the aid of the subsidy the direct charge on the Council’s funds has been minimised considerably and the financial result so> pleasing to eontempjate has been contributed to in no small degree for that reason. In regard to maintenance costs, the use of the road machinery is a great saving in the end. The reshaping of the road is of sustained value by reducing maintenance costs, and when it is possible to roll roads which have boon graded, it is found they stand up to the heavy traffic for a. niuoli longer period than would lie the case otherwise. By grading, not only is the road reshaped to shed the rainfall. but waste metal at the sides which otherwise would he lost, fs brought back to resurface the road and if rolled in. the general condition of i,lie highway is improved substantially.

I certainly commend ffo the new Council the wider use of road machinery. Although there is now considerable plant, it is in full request, and if there were more of it, there are accessions when it could be used most economically. The long stretch! of road with growing traffic makes the fullest demands on the plant, and 1 can assure the Council and ratepayers that any experience of the us'' of the plant satisfies me that in each and every purchase the (Council has acted wisely and has a very useful asset in its plant. The general condition of the roads leave very litifie to be desired. T have traversed most of the principal r,,i>d« dm-iii'r f bo past month, and the "onornl condition is very satisfactory It is being found that once the roads are reconditioned with an effective use of the plant,, they stand up to the traffic exceedingly well, a'nd the attention of a. surfaceman thereafter suffices the long lengths of road. In eon. neetion with the road works, T have to '•ommend the attention of Overseer Miilnor to his dirties, and the application of the roadmen and working men to their work. No serious complaints or difficulties presented themselves during the year. The work of tl,» Council outside has run most smo-thlv and that state of affairs has contributed to the generally pleasing conditions. Equally, the inside work at the office has been very satisfactory t|,o improved financial petition indi eating a close attention to the revenue of the Council. T cannot conclude this report witli-

out, acknowledging the help nnd assistance given by Air T. A. Johnston, District Engineer. In all matters in which it was necessary to consult the Public Works .Officer, valued assistance was given, and I feel the Council might acknowledge ..the (good offices with a letter of thanks and apprcciat-

Finnlly, I wish to thank again Councillors for their kindness and con. sideration to me. The term has been made an easy one by the ready assistance of members at the Council table and elsewhere where I bad to consult you, gentlemen. I thank you one aid all, and feel that the results show that the ratepayers have lieen well served indeed by the Council as at present constituted, and in that respect members will have every confidence in submitting themselves shortly to the judgment of the electors. Yours obediently, E. A. WELLS. County Chairman. OVERSEER ’ S REPORT. I have the honour to report upon the progress of work during the month of April. NORTHERN RIDING. Maintenance:'—Repairs were effected to portions of Arahura Valley Road; scours cleared and washodtft repaired oil Duffers Rloads; repairs and clearing completed at the lower portion of Arahura-Browning’s Pass track. The handrailing of one bridge on One Mile Road and two bridges on Arahura Valley Road were painted white, the ironwork receiving a coat of black paint. Arahura Valley and One Mile roads were rolled with the ten ton road roller, a defective exhaust lever causing a cessation of work on the 22nd of the month. CENTRAL RIDING. Station Road Extension was commenced, and twenty chains of formation completed in a satisfactory manner. The contractors for this work intend starting with the metalling on the 29th inst. Murray Creek Bridge, Municipal Road, was continued under the direction of J. Campbell and the whole of the work completed by the 27th of the month:. 'The new structure is compact and well built, and is satisfactory and safe for heavy lorry traffic. SECONDARY HIGHWAYS. Lower Kokatnhi-McArthur Road was lightly graded with the tractor and Austin road grader from Kanieri to the northern abutment of Kokatahi Bridge, a distance of eight miles. Motor worn holes and ' depressions were repaired with gravel' and crushed metal over a distance" of twelve miles, 82 cubic yards of gravel and 47 cubic yards of crushed metal being) used for the puipose. Watertablesi were cleaned a distance of 10 chains, encroaching grass and blackberry growth were cleared for three feet in width a distance of approximately one mile in length. ',A)i k abrupt . point on the crest of Morris Hill was widened and sloped hack To improve visibility for approaching traffic. UPPER KOKITAHI ROAD. Upper Kokatahi Road was repaired With gravel over ,a i( distance of . four miles, 16 cubic yards of gravel being used from dumps, and 65 cubic yards carted on to the road by horse and dray. Encroaching blackberry growth was cleared a distance of four chains, and two chains in length at the intersection of Bladier’s Road. LAKE KANIERI ROAD. Lake Kanieri Road iwos repaired where necessary from Kokatahi Road junction to Lake Kanieri. a distance of nearly eight miles and a half, an increased quantity of gravel being used on tlie outer side of the curve, at the eastern side of Co«l Creek bridge, approximately ISO cubic yards of gravel being used in repairs. Watertahles were cleared and cleaned a distance of m obtains,•• a'nd cnProadhing gorse. blackberry and scrub growth were cleared from the roadside for 41 chains in length. MAINTENANCE. Blue Spur Road repairs were continued. a horse and dray being procured for haulage of the rough forkings which have been placed on the i~vvd from the Public Hall to Blue Spur Creek bridge. In the course of a few davs this portion of road will be well roIWI with the ten ton roller which should result in a very much i»>pi'M-.ed surface for heavy traffic. Portions of Adair’s and Arthu.rstown Roads were cleared of encroaching growth. A section of Hau Han Read w-.is , red ami graded with the tractor and Austin road grader with satisfactory results, and the handrailing paint-1 nn Harris Creel: bridge No. 1. and Mnliinapua Creek bridge. South Hokitika. Defective decking was renewed on a platform culvert on Wall Road and a small bridge on Municipal Road. Defective standards and hand wires were removed and replaced on the first bridge above Mnrwiy Creek bridge, nnd a sunken abutment levelled oil a small bridge on Arunicipal Rond. Several old washouts on the first portion of Station Road wpre repaired with gravel, and minor remi rs effected to the upper end of Whitcombe Valley Road. CONCRETE PIPES. Concrete pipes construction was continued at Kanieri as ciroumtnnocs permitted.

SOUTHERX BIDING. R.uatapu-Alahinapua Road metalling was continued a further distance of ten chains. Petersen Road Extension. The contractors have made fair progress and a good job of the. section of formation completed. Okarito Road Metalling. Work has been confined to the removal of large stones from the road surface, cleaning watertnlAcs, ,and clearing and opening a gravifi pit for repairs to holes, and repairs to a short section of toad 700 links in length. Throe Alik? Track. Tin's work is progressing very well, and to date 2 miles 40 chains of the track have been cleared of over growth, and a short deviation 250 links in length cleared of scrub and overburden to the hard

gravel beneath. Totara Road and Track Improvement. This work was completed early in the month, and a good job made of the clearing, cleaning of drains and tables, repairs to road surfaces and renewal of culverts. Little Wanganui River Protection. This work was continued and 900 links of each hank constructed averaging seven feet to eight in height above the ground surface. In addition 80 cubic yards of wire net and stone work were completed. • At AINTEN ANOE.

The tractor and Austin l'oad grader wore forwarded to Hal'ihari on April Bth, and the work of grading Robertson Road was commenced on the 9th. Excellent work is being done by the machines, and to date Robertson’s and Haddock Roads have been completed, and Petersen’s Road as far as La Fontaine Creek bridge. Repairs to AVangarnii Flat road were attended to by Roadman Whitiskic. Detour Road, Wataroa, was repaired with gravel over a distance of two miles; also scrub cleared and the road drain cleaned and cleared along the frontage of Thos. Nolan’s property. Minor repairs were effected to Richardson Road.