WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1929, Page 7

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

OiERSEER’S MONTHLY REPORT. I nave tlie lienor to report upon tlie progress 01 winks during Jie inomli of :Uay: NORTHERN RIDING. kuninrn-Knpitea Road AlelaUTng—.lie (on.ravLor c .tninenml work on tins section lov.ards tile end of tlie .iiontli, out had nut completed suiiieient clearing or lormauon to warrant a progress payment being made. MAINTENANCE Per ions of Aralmra Valley Road were repaired with gravel; gorse cle-.u-ed and water-tahics cleaned on 13.u0 .-Jour-A rail lira Road; a drain cleared and cleaned on Humphreys Road below Palmer’s Creek bridge. No. 1 Kumara Road was cleared of encroaching gorse and blackberry growth, and water-tables cleaned between Kapiton and Sandy’s Hill. Callaghan’s Road was cleared and portly repaired, and a culvert repaired on Chesterfield Road between the railway and ocean beach. CENTRAL BIDING. Station Road Extension.—The contractors completed the formation and metalling tlie specified distance of 20 chains, the completed work being uniform and very satisfactory. The work covering the balance of tIKJ vote, whitix included tlie 'construction ot a turnout at Johnston Bond, a drain along the southern side of Johnston Road to allow an outlet for drainage during high flood, and an 18 inch diameter concrete pipe culvert at peg 37 chains on the line of Station road, have been completed by the Contractors ready for inspection by no Public Works Officer. Municipal Creek Bridge. The work of dismantling the old bridge and new onstruction work was put in hand under the direction of J. Campbell, and three hardwood idles in the stream pier, and three in tlie western abutment were each driven a distance of 18 feet below the creek bottom. Hi addition, the piles in the stream pier were headed and waling secured in 1 position., and a quality of timber dressed in readiness for future work.

MAINTENANCE.

Blue Spur Road repairs were completed, a good dressing of forkings being placed on the road from Brennan’s Creek to Blue Spur creek Bridge. The material was well rolled with the ten ton roller, then blinded with gravel which was again rolled to solidfy the material as much sis possible. This portion of road is in good order for heavy traffic and may be kept so, with slight attention provided the timber laden lorries carry reasonable loads and do not exceed speed limits. I should also advise that lorry owners be notified not to use the road for heavy traffic during very wet weather. Other portions of the road toward Han Hau were patched with gravel over short distances beyond the various pits. Tlie first portion of Hokitika-Hau Hau Road was repaired with gravel between the Hau Hau and the second cutting. Portions of Adairs and Kanieri Tram Roads were cleared of encroaching gorse and blackberry growth, and a 12 inch diameter concrete pipe culvert constructed on Hau Hau Road. An 8 inch diameter concrete pipe culvert was constructed on Municipal Bond. Repairs were effected with gravel to portions of Bladier’s Road and the upper end of Upper Kokntnhi Road; also to Cnmcllmck Road from Mr He Eilippi’s residence towards Hokitika river and a section of Kokatahi Ford Road, Koiterangi. Owing to a mishap with one of the lorries, repairs to this section wore not quite completed. One short section of Upper Municipal Road was dragged with a heavy road drag from tlie western boundary of the Education Endownmont to Municipal Bridge, and largo boles and depressions repaired on the lower portion between Station Road junction and Murray Creek Bridge. Tlie painting of hand railing was completed on Maliinapua Creek. Fislior-

'man Creek, Hopper Creek, Murray Creek Bridges on Municipal Road. CONCRETE PIPES.' Concrete pipe construction was continued under the direction of F. Bcl by, out will be discontinued when the present supply of cement is exhausted. ROAD ROLLEK. The road roller operated with success ■ n i.u.e ..r iAu.iU as ciitumstances pei\.,itiovl, ii.ul uitur uuiiipiutiuii ul rol-.-iici oil ito.v.Li.vii j.tuu iiuii iviail, a ill ./e union to i.ok.it.ui. Him ivmieningi n vuuls. Si ONE CRUbiiEK. The stone crusher was employed for several Uiua crushing metal, me bin c:np. .on twice, ami me material carted .am' me sotoimary iiignway, 4U cubic yarns ui metal uemg still m. readiness .or removal as soon as a lorry is availa.o.e mr cartage. SOUTHERN RIDING. To tar a Road Improvement. The whole of the work specified on this road was eomp.eted, including the renewal of the culverts.

Peterson Road Extension. The Contractors have made good progress and a very creditable job of the whole of the work specified, which should be completed in a few days from date. Little AVanganui Protection was continued under the direction of H. Reynolds, and the gap closed in the earth wall above the lower spur groin. Okarito Road Improvement and Metalling was continued, and the road graded and cleared of growth and outer accumulation of grass and gorse growth to al.ow drainage to run off. This work was very satisfactorily performed by the road tractor and large load grader especially of the flat country. After grading, metalling was continued with horse and dray and approximately 25 chains of roadway was metalled. Three Mile Track Improvement. This work lias progressed very well, a great improvement being noticeable over the greater portion of the track. The amount of work performed reflects great credit cn the workmen employed and the time keeper in charge of the work.

■Ruatapu-Mahinapua Road. The work of metalling was continued when the weather permitted, and approximately 1800 links of metalling completed during the month.

MAINTENANCE TRACTOR AND GRADER .

The tractor and grader, completed the grading of Petersen Road and a section of I,a Fontaine Road from La Fontaine Creek to Levett Bros Mill, reproving after this work was completed to Okarito Road which was finished on the 23rd of the month, transferring to Richardson Road on he 24th .and Loan Block Road on the 25th. Scally Road was graded on the 27tn and 2eth, an excellent job being made throughout. A start was made to grade Wataroa Flat Road from the Factory downward on the 27th, and continued until the 31st when 140 •bains of road had been completed. The total amount graded during the month was 16 miles of road. 1

Road Repairs were effected to portions of Ruatapu, Peterson, and Devour Roads also to the decking, and railbeams of Okarito Forks Bridge. SECONDARY HI G HAVA YS. Mr AA r . M'illner, County Overseer, reports as follows upon the progress of work on the Secondary Highways for the month ended May 31st:— LAKE KANIERI ROAD. Lake Kanieri Road.—Repairs were effected with gravel to motor worn holes and depressions from Kokatahi Road junction to Lake Kanieri approximately 84 miles. The curves at tlie foot of Bouchers Hill and also Coal Creek were gravelled. Overhanging and encroaching growth cleared •from tlie roadside .in sections where necessary, between Kokatahi Road junction and Lake Kanieri.6 Watertables were cleaned over a distance of 30 chains. The handrailing of Bouchers Creek, Coal Creek and Kanieri River Bridges were painted white, 10 gallons of paint being used for the purpose. The quantity of gravel used in repairs to all portions df the road, amounts to 106 cubic yards and the length of clearing effected one mile twenty chain LOAVER KOKATAHI IIOAD. Tower Kokatahi Rond was repaired with gravel from Kanieri to Graham’ u Hotel, and with gravel and crushed metal from Graham’s Hotel to McArthur Read. Tn addition roadside dumps wc-e replenished from Kanier' to T ower Kokatahi School over a distance iff seven miles. Encroaching cc'e’so pncl blackberry growth were cleared three 'feet in width on each <-bte of the road ‘For fifty chains in length. An approach railing was erected from the handrailing of AA’hito ' ’i-oni- Bridge to the boundary off the frontage fence on each side of the creek .to prevent drover’s stork from crossing the waterway above tlie bridge After erection the 'fencing was pnintel white. The quantity of timber used in the construction was 275 superficial feet of inner heart of rimu. Defective decking was removed and replaced on Kokatahi bridge, the total quantity

renewed being 981 superficial feet of inner heart oi rinni. Hie total quantity of gravel used in repairs would amount to 235 cubic yard placed on the road; 60 cubic yards dumped at roadside ,and 50 cubic yards of crush, ed metal carted out and used for gen eral repairs. UPPER. KOKA TA H 1 ROA D. Repairs were effected to motor worn boles, approaches to bridges, ruts etc., four a distance of four miles. Encronchng gorse, and blackberry were cleared for three feet in width on both sides of the road, over a distance oif two and a haff miles. The amount of gravel used in repairs would amount to SO cubic yards.