The Kumara Times Published Every Evening. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1886.

Kumara Times, Issue 2902, 16 February 1886, Page 2

The Kumara Times Published Every Evening. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1886.

Whilst the formation of new tracks and new roads are no doubt very desirable works at times, no one will hesitate on a moment's reflection to afßrm that roads already constructed, and particularly main roads, should be first looked after and made secure from creeks and overflows of water, else new roads or deviations most be made to connect the old ones again. At the meeting of the Grey County Council on the 26th of November last, Cr. Foley drew the attention of the Council to the absolute necessity that existed for something being done at once for the protection of the Greenstoue Road— I the main road from Hokitika and Kuniara to Marsdeu and Gieyruouth, and connecting the two counties—at a place between what is known as the Blue Bluff and the township of Westbiook; and, on the motion of Cr. Clifford, the Road Overseer was instructed to go to an expenditure of " not more than .£4O " for the protection of the road. But the Road Overseer of the Grey County seems to have, his hands pretty full at this time. In addition to works he then had in hand, we notice he was instructed at said meeting to—(1) "survey and lay off the Ahaura Cemetery, and add a couple of acres additional ground to it;" (2), " inquire into Timothy Mnllins' application for doing extra work on his contract ;" (3); " keep the road in repair between Thomas Jones' brewery and the road;" (4), "call for tenders for graveling the walks in the Brunnerton Cemetery ;" (5), " see to the Tramway at Coal Creek.;" (G), " visit No Town and report on the cost of protective works on that creek;" in fact we might go on quoting resolutions of the Council at the same meeting for new work for the Overseer, who seems to have bis hands so full that he is authorised to " employ a cadet " by the week " to overtake the office work." And "not more than forty pounds" to prevent a creek cutting into a paddock through a main road and back again to the creek, threatening to carry away in its course poor men's houses and a school-house ! Now, it so happened that other urgent work was required for the purposes of protecting the road at the New River, and was in course of execution when in the interim one of the heaviest floods that has been experienced in the Greenstone Creek since the old township was washed away came down and can,- off some chains of good graziag gro„in, for

cuttle fronting the creek, and very I nearly cut its way through the West- '■ brook road and township, where it must have washed away some acres of ground, houses, and a school-house in its course. The work of protecting the bank is now in hand, but it will cost the Grey Council twice the amount it would have done if the work had been executed when Cr. Foley first pointed out its necessity. Then, again, although a contract has been let for some time for their repair, there is scarcely a safe culvert on the road between the Teremakau River and Westbrook; and the same may be said of many of the culverts on to Greenstone, and from thence to Lake Brunner, along which some equestrians last Sunday were in great danger of being thrown and breaking their horsea' legs, for besides numberless rotten culverts, one of the planks of the Hohonu bridge was broken. Surely the Grey Council will see the importance of spending a few score pounds to put into proper repair and safety the roads which at present exist before voting huudreds of pounds, as they did at the same meeting, for the formation of one new track.