WATER-RACE FORDS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16484, 25 February 1914, Page 11

WATER-RACE FORDS.

CONFERENCE OF LOCAL BODIES IN NORTH CANTERBURY. . CONCRETE CULVERTS FOR MOTOR TRAFFIC. Yesterday afternoon a conference of local bodies convened by the Waima-kariri-Ashley Water Supply Board was held at the Rangiora County Council office to consider tho question of substituting concrete culverts for fords over tile waterraces on the roads in. different counties. There were present Messrs M. J. Dixon, D. G. Matheson and J. M’Connack (secretary) representing the IV ater Board; Mr F. Horrell, Rangiora County Council; Messrs H. J. Horrell and R. 0. Dixon, Eyre County Council, and Messrs H. -V; Cooper, A. Meyers, J. M : Cor mack and H. Gainsword, Oxford County Council. Mr M. J. Dixon, who presided, said tho question they had met to discuss was of great importance, not only to their own districts, but to the whole of Canterbury. The advent of the motor cars had made the water-race. fords a prominent question. The maintenance of the fords cost from £2 to ,£4 per annum each, and it was estimated that £1 per annum would pay the interest on the outlay on a culvert. Whilst the culverts would bo a great improvement in respect to motor car traffic, they would also be much more economical than tho fords. 1 lie cost of the construction of the culverts would have to be borne by the Water Board and tho main object of the conference was to ascertain what width of culvert would be required by the County Councils, whether say 20 feet, 40" feet or 60 feet. It was estimated that the requisite number of 20 feet culverts would cost about £3OOO, 40 feet £SOOO, and 60 feet £6OOO to £7OOO. There were two styles of culverts suggested, one having a circular top and the other a flat top of reinforced concrete in slabs that could be lifted for cleansing purposes. A scheme of 20 feet culverts could be carried out at a cost within the scope of the ordinary mainr tenance revenue of the Water Board.

Mr F. Horrcll said that motor cars having come to stay, it was the duty of the local bodies to meet the requirements of oar traffic. The time was not far distant when motor cars must pay a tax. In regard to the proposed culverts he thought th o scheme was a good one. A culvert 40 feet should be the average width, but it would be neces-.. sary to be careful not to put in cul- : verts that would become obstructed with debris in flood time, and throw the water on to the adjoining lands. The Water Board had always met the requirements of the local bodies in respect to the fords in a most reasonable manner and the local bodies should not put any obstacle in the way of the proposed improvements. Mr H. J. Horrell spoke in favour of the adoption of culverts, but did not think it would be necessary to bridge all the small races. . He thought 40ft culverts would be required, and that it would be necessary to have protection at the ends. ' Mr R. 0. Dixon stated that the Eyre County Council had decided to support the Water Board’s scheme. He was of opinion that culverts 30ft in width would do, and that crossings should be made at the ends to allow of i horses being watered. I Mr Cooper considered that if the Water Board could improve the waterrace crossings for public traffic no obstacle should be placed in the way. I The chairman said that all the Water Board asked was the guidance of the County Councils in respect to the width of the culverts The Board would be prepared to fall in with the wishes of the councils, but trusted that the width of the culverts would not be made too great for the finances of the Board. Mr Meyers said the Oxford Council had not met sinco the Water Board’s proposal was made known. He had been questioned by ratepayers about the matter, and lie found a very general opinion existed that if the Water Board was prepared to put in culverts it should be supported. There were 133 fords in connection with the Eyre water-race system, but many of these were on out of the way roads whero there was little traffic, and culverts were not necessary.

The chairman said that the Board proposed to put in culverts only whero the traffic warranted. After some further discussion it was resolved, on the motion of Mr H. J. Horrell, seconded by Mr Meyers:— 1 ‘ That this meeting is of opinion that j the Water Board should proceed with the construction of concrete culverts over the water-races, but that plan®

should first be submitted to the county councils interested.” Mr J. M’Cormack suggested that concrete pipes should be used in the majority. of cases, and culverts constructed over the main races. In all cases the roadway should be left level.