A SOUTHERN VISIT

Hokitika Guardian, 5 December 1930, Page 3

A SOUTHERN VISIT

IMPORTANT ROAD PROPOSALS. The County Chairman, Mr W. Searle, accompanied by Os. Jeffries, Houston, Donovan and Chesterman', and Mr J. O’Brien, ‘ M.P., and Air Johnston, District Engineer, of tlie Public Works Department, paid a. visit to South Westland over Wednesday and Thursday, when a number of important road matters were leaked 'into. At Wait ah a Settlement the holders of several areas of land on the south bank of tho river, aggregating 2.220 acres were met, those present including Messrs P. Douglas, Linkl.-uo- (2;, Trembath, Hende, and Wright. The .settlers desired suitable road access "from tlio old ferry road, and expressed disapproval of a suspension foot fridge. It was explained the road was essential for the full use of the land. Mr Douglas who had offered previously to construct 20 chains of •the road free of cost, now increased his offer to 30 chains. Mr Wright said he was agreeable, to accept suitable compensation to allow the roadway to pass through his lower section. The other settlers offered a monetary contribution towards the cost of the road, payment to be spread over a term of years. The estimated cost of . the road was in the region of .£ISOO, arid a vote of £IOOO, £2 for £1 was suggested, both Messrs O’Brien and Johnston Considering it a work which could come under the unemployment grants. Tt was agreed the settlers and the Council should provide £SOO on lines proposed, and Air O’Brien stated he would proceed to Wellington at the earliest opportunity and" interview the Hon. Minister in regard to an unemployment vote to enable the work to proceed as early as possible. Subsequently the County members conferred with Mr Wright' in regard to access through. Lis property, and an agreement was reached as to terms on which the matter could he arranged, and it was decided to report to the Council on the lines acceptable for adoption. Mr Wright also waited on the County members in regard to the rent for the ferry reserve, a large area of which had been eroded. The members viewed the position and Air Wright was advised to write to the Council on the matter.

Petersen road route. Afessrs McIntosh and AVall. settlers affected, with members representing the Harihari branch of the Farmers' Union, were met on the ground in respect to the prosecution of the -work to completion. The District Engineer explained that ATr Mclntosh had suggested a deviation to avoid the road passing through the centre of Ids farm depreciating an (area of ploug'mhle land, and he Had offered to contribute towards the cost .of the deviation if carried out. A survey revealed that the extra cost involved by the deviation was approximately £SOO, and Air AfeTntosh agreed in a generous offer to construct the deviation route for the cost of the road on the original line. Air Wall was affected by the deviation line and would not consent to the cle? viation, and matters were at a deadlock. The matter was- discussed for a considerable period without anv change being agreed to and the interview closed abortively. La Fontaine road and swamp. The extension of La Fontaine r°ad t«- I'm swamp was viewed. It was considered a desirable work for next year’s applications, and Air O’Brien promised to interview the l ands Donnrtm°"+ at AVellington in respect to the utilising of the swamp area which appeared to be suitable for settlement r>"rpn« n s. A considerable area of land is involved, and n.lrcadv a large sum has been expended in drainage works. Little Wanganui river protection. This very substantial work which has .cost several thousand pounds to date, w.as inspected. It is a splendid mb, and the work hv the Public Works Department was commented on favourably. The late flood had attacked one of the groines and did some Iteht damage but repairs were in band. 'Elio effect of • this very important protection wall is to save the Harihnri settlement from floodin'* from the Little Wanganui river. Tlie settlers have had Very generous treatment from the Government in this matter.

Poerun. road. This new road to open up the settlement,, ballotted for in October, is now well advanced, and will ho completed in less than a month. The work has been carried out very expeditionslv in the circumstances of the weather of late. About 30 men were emploved on tlm ioib and it sneaks well for the Public Works ••r----gnnisation to find the work so near completion in such a brief time. The nmv settlers are also making a good showing on their holdings. Most of the ring-fuming has been, done and several shacks have been erected. As s oon* as the road metalling is completed. timhc’- will he 0n,, -fed in frw the farm buildings and permanent residences. The settlement promises fn grow vor,. rarv'dlv. thp selectors P'-Plon+'v being of the ri"hf stamp, v* Tetaho road. Tliis road is intendnfl to in notion the main south vend "” +1 » Petokino 'Swamp road. A la.’-ge fl - ’”- milling enterprise is involved. * n ’° Ne w Zealand Flav Investment Cmv. with offices in Auckland and Svdimv. is the moving factor. The Compnmhas m-o perries at Barrvtown and also at Wakataim in the North Tslnn,]. Yesterday Mr D. fttook. of On-ist-cl’lurch, and Mr W. H. fbinn. of T °- t-ho. met the County na.rtv to the claims for the oonstr'-etion of +he road. It was po ; nted out. that, the Companv had aeu'dred a Inr™ holding of swarpp land at Rotokino and y •

had started development work in preparation for the industry, which would involve planting flax and the milling of the commodity. A large mill would be constructed, and experts were coming from AVakatane shortly to initiate the major work. Bonding for about a mile and a quarter was required, and probably £ISOO would be involved in constructing the access. A grant of £2 for £1 was asked for the Company and the County Council to provide the quota of £l, namely £3OO from the. .Company and £2OO from tho Council. Air O’Brien noted the question and took full particulars of tho enterprise, and promised to discuss the' matter with the Public Works authorities. Mr "W-k detailed the programme of jVI - Company in regard to development, stating that when equipped there would be 200 men employed in the locality, and all necessary accommodation would he provided by the Company. Tt promised to he on important enterprise for the district in providing employment and development, a,fid on that score the Government and local body assistance was asked for.

AVaitangi South roading. The next stage was to Wataroa, and the crossing of tlie AVaitangi river to the lower south hank, where Afessrs Demiehy Meharry, N. Friend, Adamson and others were mot and roadirm work® inspected and discussed. Air H. Adamson drew attention to the river erosion going on, which threatened damage to a large area af pastur'd land. The position was viewed hv Afessrs Johnston and O’Brien.. Regarding Roto road, the members of the local body . agreed to £25. £ f'”' o Up/n rr spent in improving this road. Afessrs Renimhy and Meharry to find their quota, in labour; A "rant of fu for road drainage on a £ for £ bash was made also to H. Aleharn'. L> regard to the through road, which was found to he in bad order, it was decided to recommend the Council t° accent the proposed grant of £250. £9 for £1 to improve th« worst pavb of the road, to give access to tlm larsre area of country affected. A* l O’Brien remarked that, tlm 'and inspected on the. trip had further impressed him with tin dormant resources of tho district. At the* mice of land prevailing in Westland he considered land settlement, hom... was il, e most, attrnot : ve and promising in the whole Dominion. Settlors met a f Matainni brought forward some small requests which. will have tv>e attention of the Council in due course.

The party was favoured with good weather for the trip, which covered " long stretch of country, and as will I>o1 >0 s'-en. several important matters were dealt with. T»m visit was impressive as revealing important settlement and development emvi'rlities as i<i iwjr>iro ir °d in tho var i ons localities. South Westland gives evidenc” from manv points of its great re c o”r'es 'as (t is opened up. not, the least, of wKjeb arc the nmnr 'o+nnds of magnificent, timber belts to be seen in all directions. .The disf-mt has potentialities which fully testify the roading schemes proposed, and which should ha carried f''ro”gb dlv ns possible, as the results will lead to important, permanent d°'’clrnmontc w'ucU must add to tee Wteg prosperity of the whole of Westland. On the tom’ Smith. Afessrs .Tn'mrtnn and O’Brien AUbre most, painstaking and expressed their readiness to te'n when tbev. con'd. T',„, nW'ors County Council did not spare tbemc,plrcs‘ ip t.boir in’ST'tigatioPS. gpin" wherever asked to look closeL info requests. Air Rearle expressed cordial thanks to Messrs O’Brien and Johnston for their presence and assistance, thanks in which also the settlers eon. coined joined at various nmn+s. trio into so mm eh new country in nee' 0 f mining no. sho’dd do nu-ch t/» -dd to the welfare of the district, and tee rbairnmn and MmnWs of the R<mteern Riding deserve the thanks of the community fen- their attention to the requirements of the district.