MAIN HIGHWAYS COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1930, Page 6

MAIN HIGHWAYS COUNCIL

FRIDAY, MAY 23rd

The Alain Highways Council for No. 12 District met at the Public Works Office, Greymouth at 8 o’clock. Present: ALessrs T. A. Johnston, District Engineer' (in the chair), .J. Powell (Duller), AY. Clayton (liiangalnia), J. ■Higgins tG.ey), D..J. Evans (Westland).

The Chairman stated the principal business for the meeting was the recommendations of additional secondary highways. Correspondence was read from the Highways Board on the matter, and it was considered advisable to reduce the requests to the lowest limit, putting in a first and second cnoice for each County.

It was agreed to recommend the following additional roads for the respective districs:—The length of road applied for is given in each case together with the average maintenance cost per mile per annum for the last three years. Butler County—Bullcr Brulge-Tau-ranga—9 mi105~£33.33; Alokihimii River Bridge to Seddonville —2 miles—£6B.

Inangalma County—Blaekwater to AYaiuta Road—B miles 52 £70.2; Landing to Brown Creelr Road —5 miles 40 chains—£23.ss.

Grey County— Ngaliere-Aloonlight Road—7 miles 32 chains—£l32.97; Ku-mara-Holioiiu Road—6 miles 34 chains —£159.84.

Westland County :—Wanganui Flat Settlement Road — 7% miles—£ll 9s /d ; Aiunicipal Road, Koiterangi—2s miles —£29 12s 4d.

Brunner Borough—St ill water-Kokiri Road—l mile 67 chains—£7s; Brunner Bridge to Grey County Boundary—--2 miles, 22 chains— -£75. Cobden Town District—Curtis Road, Robinson Street, Bright Street,' Domett Esplanade—2 miles 22 chains—£l74. Kumara Borough—Zig Zag Road—s 6 chains; Sandy’s mill to Seddon Street Road—l mile—£6o.

In connection with signs at railway crossings on' Alain Highways, it was stated that in the preliminary report, the Railway Department pointed out that local bodies have badly neglected the St. Andrew’s Cross signs erected by the Railway Department at numerous crossings some years ago. The signs in many cases are ,broken and there .is no evidence of any painting ’laving b : ec(n done since they were erected. It was resolved to send a copy of the circular to the local bodies concerned.

Regarding urgent attention to railway crossings on the Alain Highways the following was decided : (1) That provsion be made to carry the Kamaka crossing further north, and a wig wag signal be installed; (2) that provision be made on this year’s Estimates for the Tawhai crossings. The Chairman stated that authority for the Nelson Creek (Soulu Beach, near Greymouth) crossing would probably be "to hand‘ili a few days. ;

/ With reference to a clause contained in a circular, relative to wages paid by County Councils, it was decided to point oiit that none of the local County Councils paid less than 15s a day, and that if. a lower rate were fixed, it would inea.ii a drop in wages, or the Counties would lose their subsidy. The rates of wages in the respective Counties are: —Buller 14s to 16s; Grey los (id; liialigahua and Westland los per day. 'flic circular suggested the Highways rate he adopted, namely 14s per day. The matter was discussed and referred to the Chairman to reply', • suggesting that the .respective district rates he retained, having been in force prior to the highways system being introduced. The Greymouth Jockey Club wrote asking that the visibility of the road between Greymouth and Omoto be improved. The matter was left to the Chairman and Mr Higgins to consider with the Estimates.

Tt was resolved to suggest to the Highways Board with regard to secondary highways, that from time, to time provisional secondary highways be declared for a ■ period of two years to enaole local bodies to build up the standard of district roads generally with tne aid of the highways subsidy Tt was “decided to bold future meetings of the Council- at mid-day.