WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 November 1929, Page 2

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

TUESDAY, NOV. sth

CHAIBMAN'S SOUTHERN VISIT,

OCTOBER 12th AND 13th. Gentlemen,—l beg to report that on October 12th, I departed south, accompanied, by Cr Wells and Overseer Alilljiei\ In ’the forenoon, Waitaha settlement was visited. The roads were in fair order and the farms were looking prosperous. We met G,. and 11. Linklater and Mr Anderson —authorised small pipe culvert near Geo. Linklater’s, and promised to obtain a report on the road rggjijred.. on Waitaha south bank. Also authorised the cutting of side drain near H. Linklater’s, cost about 30s.

Kakapotahi was next '-visited. The protection works-Are, holding well, but causing deep sum of in blowing Up a large stranded tree, and removing some stoning of the beach, would tend to relieve the flood pressure on the protective works, and this should be attended to. At Harihari, Cr Searle joined the party and together we inspected the roads. Found same in a much improved state, due to the recent intensive grading. Authorised 12-inch pipe culvert across La Fontaine road, near G. Searle’s—also the assistance of the roadman with horse and dray for 2 or 3 days to Levett Bros., for turn-out approach at sawmill, La Fontaine. Mr A. Wall was ill in bed and I left a statement of the position regarding Alfred bridge with his son. We saw Adamson and party who agreed to take up Petersen road contract at the Overseer’s estimate. Roadman Whitiskio was directed to attend to a damaged culvert on Petersen road. Cr Searle promised to obtain an estimate from an approved tradesman who is in the locality, for the scpmming and papering the roadman's’ , cottage; also for providing 'a bathroom in§idp the back portion of the building. - I, recommended -this work df ireasonable pfice is submitted. ■' •' .

Approaching ‘Wataroa ' we met Sir Cliimii apd . conferred, regarding the protection of his land from erosion by Vine Creek. A public rond or bridge is not endangered, but as Mr Chinn purposed doing a large amount of the work at his own expense’ I would recommend the Council to assist this energetic and progressive settler to the extent of £lO. Cr. Wells, also on the site,' readily approved of this assistance. 1 'V '*

The settlers at Mataimu were unable to meet the County party h't ’the hotel in the evening (owing, I was told, to illness)“in‘respect to Graham’s road. ■Mr Smith, from Butler road, promised t'o see them and to send . along to the office a statement of price wanted by Mr Curtain for the 4} acres of land required from his section.

We traversed a portion of the roads in Wat'ftroa Flat which are in fair order. I would recommend that the lorry be sent down to deliver suitable gravel'in dumps, for the repair of motor 'wearing holes; The district is progressing, new and attractive homes are being erected, I was glad to notice. 1 Driving over the Forks-Oknrito road, it was found that good work is being done bv Roadman Olderog in improving this important. road. The broken stone material is having the desired effect of standing up to the heavy traffic caused iby the transport- of mining material. Another week or two of the work, should leave the . road in fair condition for the summer traffic. A supply of seabeaeh shingle, as has heen suggested by Gr. Donovan, would he a wise provision for the future upkeep of this road. The shingle could he obtained.at a reasonable cost a.s the beach served, and could then be stored and expeditiously applied as required to the road itself by the County’s own lorries. A considerable saving would he effected in the way in the matter of gravel maintenance, and at the same time, supply a well-improved road.

On the Three Mile track a great deal of work has been done, principally in the way of widening and the strengthening of sharp curves. The mining company using it deserves every assistance and encouragement in the huge undertaking it has in hand. I , learned from Mr R. T. Stewart, the manager, that he was confident of success. The mining revival will greatly benefit the whole district, and Okarito in particular. 1 recommend the continuance of the present County assistance, and in the meantime, as the Company is also spending a substantial sum, have applied for a subsidy vote to assist in corduroying some bad sections of the hill top road. Eventually this track will he a popular tourist work, as some splendid scenic views are presented en route.

I interviewed Mr Millard at Okarito in company with Crs. Donovan and Wells regarding the collection of wharfages. " This gentleman displayed a fair and reasonable frame of mind. .1 would recommend that the case he reviewed when the particulars obtained at the interview could he placed before the members. I have no doubt that a satisfactory adjustment can he made. In'conclusion T desire to state that the thanks of the Council are due to Mr John Hewer, on behalf of the Greymouth Motors Ltd., for the free use of a. car throughout the whole of the County party’s tour. Mr Hewer, who acted as chauffeur, and having an intimate knowledge of the lanes and byeways of the district, was most courteous throughout, making the trip a. pleasant \nnd ever to be remembered outing,

CHAIRMAN’S SOUTHERN TOUR

OCTOBER. 26th TO 29th. Gentlemen, —I. have the honour to report, that accompanied oy CTs. Searle and Wells, Overseer Millner and the County Clerk (Mr Evans) a visit was made south as far as Maintain between the 26th and 29th October inclusive. On the first flay we motored to Welieka, and the next day drove by way of Karangarua, Jacobs River and Bruce Bay to Maintain. The third day we. returned to Welieka by the same route, and the fourth day, home. In all about ]45 miles of road were covered to the Maintain destination.

It is pleasing to be able to report that we found the settlers generally in a very agreeable mood, and lew if any major wants were presented to us. Some smaller matters were brought to notice and these were dealt with on the spot. The highway to Wailio, and the Government road to Welieka, were found in greatly improved order. New bridges were in course of construction, and widening and metalling of the roads wore in hand. Altogether the general condition of the 110 miles of road to Welieka, combined with the programme of new ivories in hand for early completion, leave very little to be desired, and in thanking the District Engineer and his staff for the good work" done and in hand, the settlers are to be congratulated on the greatly .improved roadway now at tneir disposal.

From Welieka to Mahitahi, some 35 miles, there is now a vehicle road but the river bed crossings preclude motor traffic excepting under special weather conditions in mid-winter wlieai the rivers are substantially lower than we found them. fine rough roadway across the wide riverbeds both at Cooks and Karangarua, is also a barrier to motor traffic, which would be hampered, further by the condition of the roadway for some half, mile following a large slip in Havelock Creek dossing. The settlers however view the conditions of the iroad very cheerfully, looking forward as they do to the; extension of the main Government road south. T.iis work was commenced on the 29th October from Weheka. The first section is as far as Saltwater Creek beyond Cook River, and includes bridges for the Fox and Cook glacier fed rivers, and Saltwater creek. The estimated cost of this section is over £50,000, and as far as can he gathered it is intended to prosecute the work actively to the bridge sites at the crossings of Fox and Cook rivers, when the erection of the bridges which are being designed on the lines of Waiho bridge, will be proceeded with, When motor traffic is regularly possible to the south side fo the Cook river, it will be a special boon to the southern settlers who are looking forward to that convenience with great hopefulness as to the future of the district,

We found the crossing at Cook river rough and difficult. The road signs require attention, and a proposal has been made to the District Engineer to have the definition of the route and the location of the lead on the south side, more clearly rnarkdd. Something similar might be considered for Karangarua crossing, though a ferryman is available there to guide travellers across the wide river bed. The members of the Southern Riding might consider the advisability of placing some one in charge of Cooks river fords so that the. definition of the route . across might be marked out for travellers, and. approaches cut down where necessary.

Representations were made in regard to the clearing and improving of Hunt’s beach track. The local Advisory Committee has been asked to arrange for an expenditure up to £9 to remedy the position. The matter of levelling the surface of Blower Pot Rock Landing was brought to notice, and the District Engineer ha-s been asked to take up this matter utilising the Bruce Bay working party on an adjacent road work, the Council to contribute half the cost of levelling the surface of the rock with a concrete door, and tarring or painting the loading derrick,

Mr H. H. Busch, waited on the party in respect to the expenditure of the l£lso vote for Busch road at Mahitahi. When the Council called for tenders for the work previously there was no response, and local labour was not available for the work. The suggestion has now been made to the District Engineer to utilise the Bruce Bay reading party for the work, and if this can be arranged it will solve the position.

Some track works were mentioned at- Karangarua, but these are covered by former votes of the Council, and the information in respect to the expenditure necessary has been supplied. There is no doubt about the growing volume of traffic south. The fine hostels erected at Waiho and Weheka may be considered complimentary to each other in supplying the one tiling needful to attract visitors so that people may enjoy the wonderful natural features of the adjacent country thoroughly. With the improvements to the roads. these ideal resorts will grow more and more popular, and will prove a great asset to the whole of Westland. The road improvements are of the highest value in the advancement of settlement. The better access is a boon for transport, assuring certain delivery at short notice. The Bruce Bay district is suffering because of the delavs and uncertainties of steam-

cr transport, and the boon of motor transport when it draws nearer by the extension of the great south road, will give the locality a special impetus. I am sure the Council will continue to do all it can to hasten the extension of the main road further south and so provide the first and most important aid to the assured prosperity of the district. On the return journey from south authority was given for attention to urgent repairs needed on Evans load, the Overseer to attend to the matter.

In conclusion, I can again bear testimony to the welcome afforded and the hospitality extended by the southern settlers. It was a pleasure to meet so many of them in their own homes and along the route, and to learn of theii success and future proyiects., Many of /them are now of the second generation, and arc following worthily in the footsteps of their pioneer parents who had the courage and resource to venture into the more remote and difficult places where homes had to he carved literally out of the great forests of the south. I am sure it is the desire of the Council to do all it can to help the various back block settlements, and one comes back from the ,south with a firm resolve to that owl, for the people have proved their light to all help by so bravely undertaking to carve out their way to success by their own courage and perseverance in what at the outset must have been a very difficult and rather uninviting proposition,

OVERSEER MILLNEII’S RETORT

DISTRICT HIGHWAY ROADS

Sir, —I have the honour to repoit rlpon thq progress of work on the Secondary Highways for the month of October.

LOWER T\ ON AT AT! I TO MCARTHUR ROAD.

Motor worn holes, and depressions wore repaired with river beacli gravel over a distance of 6 miles; displaced material removed from the outer sides of' road, and replaced on the crown of the road, by the power grader. Short sections were also lightly graded to remove the outer grass grown shoulders • to penult drainage from the road surface. Crushed metal was used in repairing low portions, and pit' gravel in the small motor worn holes, on portions of Cropp’s and Koiterangi roads. The road roller operated one mile of Koiterangi road, rolling crushed metal which was placed on the road dui mg the months of 'September and October, the metal being blinded with fine gravel over the distance mentioned before being rolled, Blackberry was cleared from the roadside for three feet in width and 300 links in length. A road drain badly overgrown and partly closed with debris, was cleaned and widened for 400 'inks in length. Defective decking was removed and replaced on Kokatalii Bridge, 342.4 superficial feet of rimn heart timber being used for the purpose. Repairs to motor worn holes with river beach gravel absorbed 161 cubic yards, while 29 cubic yards of pit gravel were used in repairs on Koiterangi road; also 35 cubic jards of crushed metal. The amount of fine gravel for blinding the crushed metal was slightly’ - more than 25

cubic yards. « UPPER K OKA TA HI ROAD. The Power Grader was used to grade off the outer high should As of road for 3£ niiles in length, also for resurfacing the same length with fine gravel displaced bv fast moving traffic: Motor worn holes .were repaired with pit gravel over a distance of 2 miles, and roadside dumps replenished with 90 cubic yards of gravel. Repairs to motor worn holes absorbed 100 cubic yards of gravel.

LAKE KANIERI ROAD. Repairs were effected to low places and small holes in the road surface between Kokatahi Road junction and Lake Kanieri, 60 cubic yards of gravel being used for the purpose Short sections of water-tables partly filled with small slips were cleaned for .500 links in length and the abrupt curve on the western bank of Boucher’s Creek widened six feet in width at centre to eighteen inches for a chain in length. In addition twenty cubic yards of screenings placed on the recently widened portion beyond the One Mile peg.