WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 February 1931, Page 2

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

TUESDAY, 10th FEBRUARY. SECONDARY HIGHWAYS REPORT. Sir.—l. have the honour to report, upon the progress of work on the Secondary Highways for the month ending January 31st. . ... , LOWER KOKATAHI, McARTHUR ROAD. Three heavy floods were experienced between ,the 20th. and 27th of the month, which scoured the road considerably on the low lying portions, principally between Raft Creek and the foot of, the hill below the junction with Lake Kanieri road. The lastHood experienced on the evening of 27th inst. was very heavy, causing scours between Moynihan’s residence and White Creek, and between Harris Creek beyond Mr Houliston’s residence, and Camelback Road. The greater portion of the damage was repaired with gravel from the gravel dumps, and was partly destroyed again by the following floods. Repairs have been effected by the Power Grader over nine miles of road with excellent results. Repairs were also effected with gravel to worn, spots on tho road surface- over a distance of nine miles, using 80 cubic yards of gravel from the roadside dumps. Repairs to scours absorbed 22 cubic yards * of gravel. LAKE KANIERI ROAD. Lake Kanieri Road was badly scour|'ed i« a number of place? between -.Stoney Creek and the foot of Slip Hill; A small slip blocked the water’s way of a culvert, containing two '•courses of 18 iiich diameter pipes, situated midway between Stripland and 'McKay’s Creek diverting flood water on to the road and scouring a portion badly. Repairs have been effected to , the worst portions, using 29 cubic yds. of gravel. Two small slips containing 12 cubic yards were removed from the roadway. Motor worn holes and ruts were repaired from Lower Kokatahi Road junction to Lake Kanieri absorbin 39 cubic yards of gravel. Watertables were cleaned beyond Striplana Creek, Coal Creek, Bouchers Hill, and '.the last descent to Lake Kanieri, a total distance of 39 chains. Gorse ■' and blackberry and side growth clear-

ed from cuttings a distance of 34 chains. A section of road west of Boucher’s Creek was cleared of growth and other debris for 450 links in length and six feet in width, in readiness for metalling. Two broken deck planks were removed and replaced with 2x12

feet Bx 4 feet inner heart of rlnm planks on-Stoney Creek Bridge. Two

short sections of drains, 400 links in length, were constructed between the

One Mile peg and Stoney Creek. A p,- new fence 147 lineal feet in length was constructed along the outer side of the curve before reaching McKays Creek Bridge, 19 silver pine posts 6 feet in length, and 16x14 and 2xlß feet, b.v 4x2 feet inner heart of rimu railing being used for the purpose. UPPER KOKATAHI ROAD. Motor worn holes were repaired be. tween Duck Creek Bridge No. 3 ~ and Murray Road, using 13 cubic yards of gravel from dumps.

OVERSEER’S MONTHLY REPORT.

I have the honour to report upon ill© progress of works during the month of January. NORTHERN RIDING. MAINTENANCE.

Repairs were effected to motor '"orn holes and low places on Arahura Valley and One Mile Roads. Watertables were cleaned on Blue Spur Arahura Road and encroaching gorse and blackberry growth cleared from Arahura Valley and Blue Spur Arahura Roads. Defective drains were cleaned and reopened in Stafford Township and the main drain cleared of overgrowth, and obstructions between the old store and the concrete pipe culvert on the Main Highway below the outlet of Rafferty’s Creek, a distance of 25 chains.

Stafford Cemetarv was cleared of blackberry and other growth and the grounds placed in decent order by Roadman Olderog;.

CENTRAL RIDING. Upper Kokdtiihi Ruud Widening. The Work of clearing, grading forming, culvert construction and 700 links of metalling were completed in a very satisfactory manner, The road has been diverted from the old road at 10 chains extending to 15 chains, where an unsightly bend existed, to avoid a long water hole 500 links in length. The new road is straight, the lagoon having been drained and filled in with large stone and gravel to formation level. Kokatahi Bridge Protection. The recent heavy floods caused a break in the . old 'bank protection 7CO links above the southern abutment of Kokatahi Bridge. Work was hampered by four heavy floods in thirteen days, each succeeding flood adding slightly to the damage reported. A quantity of scrub and stone was procured and carted to the river bank in readiness to commence work as soon as the river became normal. This work is now in hand. FLOOD DAMAGE. Municipal Greek Bridge. The western approach behind the lining subsided owing to an erosion of the bank below the bridge extending up stream. Repairs were effected with manuka scrub, stone and wire netting which should be effective in preventing further damage. Repairs -were effected with gravel to scoured portions of Municipal and Station Roads.

MAINTENANCE; Tucker Flat Rond wan dented of gorse and other growth, Wind blown trees were removed from Milltown Read, and the. first portion of Harvey Road line improved to eliminate unnecessary angles. The open crossings on the old constructed portion of Dorothy Falls Road were attended to and made passable for traffic. Overhanging encroaching scrub was cleared from a portion of Doughboy Road. Repairs were effected to the County Tool House, Ivoiterangi, which was also painted. Concrete pipe construct, ion was continued at the yard, Kanieri. SOUTHERN HIDING. Lake Mahinapua Road Metalling. The work of clearing, forming and metailing was completed over the dis lance specified. Alfred Road Bridge. Hardwood piles, ironwork, heart of rirnu, stringers and decking, were carted with the necessary pile driving gear to the sit< of the bridge during the month, and construction is in hand. FLOOD DAMAGE.

Detour Road. Repairs were effected to the first crossing replacing the gravel ecoured from the covering of the small low level culvert. The recent heavy flood caused a further scour, and the culvert will be removed and filled in with stone and gravel. Mcßride’s Creek Bridge. A portion of the western approach was washed out behind the lining and repairs effected with scrub, stone and gravel. It would be advisable to raise this bridge at least 18 inches above its present level to allow an increased waterway during high flood at a cost of £l4. Factory Creek Bridge, Berepo, was scoured by the heavy flood also the eastern approach to the temporary bridge crossing La Fontaine Creek, La Fontaine Road. The bridge foreman, H. Reynolds being in the district, repairs were effected as promptly as possible. * Waitaha Beach Road. The open crossing on the western approach to Kakapotahi Bridge was badly scoured and repairs effected twice during one week. It would be advisable to floor the crossing with Bx 3 heart of rimu decking to prevent a recurrence of the damage, cost £l3. MAINTENANCE.

Repairs were effected to Redman s and a portion of Waitaha Beach Road. Roadman Whitiskie attended to repairs necessary to the various roads in tlm Intent Wangnmii district. The line of Petersen Road Diversion was chained, pegged, and levelled and a plan and specification prepared in readiness for the work to proceed. The. line of . Harvey’s Road was straightened to eliminate unneossart angles between Granite Creek and the the first terrace,