CLUTHA COUNTY ROAD CONSTRUCTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17689, 29 July 1919, Page 6

CLUTHA COUNTY ROAD CONSTRUCTION.

-a» DISTRICT ENGINEER'S CRITICISM. THE' COUNCIL'S REPLY. A letter which raised some criticism from members was read at Friday's meeting of the Clutha County Council. It was from Mr C. J. Baker (District Engineer of the Public Works Department), in reference to the maintenance of roads in tho Catlins district, and was as follows:— " Last week I spent two or three days inspecting roads in the Catlins district, and was surprised and disappointed to find how poor the maintenance work in the district is. Taking Kaler's Saddle road, Houipapa to Kahuika, as an instance, the water-tables are not cleared, the road is badly scoured and in bad shapes, and is much overgrown with scrub. Metalling that has been done is not maintained, and in many places is in process of being destroyed through lack of attention. From Maclennan on to Ghaslands a good deal of metalling has been done at various times, and I cannot find out that attention has been given to its maintenance. The same remarks regarding bad shape, growth of scrub, and lack of attention to drainage apply. Also, from what I was able to see, the various access roads in the district are not in any bettor state. Most of the work of road construction and metalling in the district lias been done by the department. Much has yet to be done, and I have no doubt that the department, if it receives any encouragement, will assist materially in the future, but it is imperative that sufficient attention be given to the maintenance of work that is done. I consider it unquestionable that your county should have a suitable inspector appointed, with headquarters in the district, and that a sufficient force of regular surfacemen should be appointed to do justice to tho work." Cr Begg pointed but the condition of the finances in the ridings concerned, and it was obvious that all the money they had had been spent, and a good deal they had not got. Unless the inference was to be drawn that the money had been thrown away, the council could do no moro than it was doing. Mr Maginness (chairman) said that the boot was on the other foot—instead of tho Public Works Department blaming the council, tho council should blame the Public Works Department. The department constructed many of the roads no more than 10ft wide, and there was no room for water-tables. The hill roads wore so narrow that it was impossible to maintain them, as tho metal went over the side. In a stretch of 20 miles between Houipapa and Maclennan there were few places where two drays could pass each other. It seemed to him that tho letter was uncalled for. Whero there were water-tables the metal went into them. There was a PubUo Works inspector stationed in the district, and he rarely went out of the Maclennan Riding, and surely he could do what inspecting was required. Ur North suggested tho reading of another letter from the oDgineer,- which showed what the trouble was. Tho letter was as follows:—"In reference to M'Kenzie's road a petition has been presented by several of the settlers of Glenomaru asking the department to bear tho cost of metalling about five chains fronting sections 2 and 13, block IX, Glenomaru S.D. I understood that the council will undertake the widening, and under theso conditions I am directed to advise that the metalling will be done by the department immediately the widening of tho road is completed. I therefore request that tho widening of the road be undertaken' as soon as possible, so that the metalling could be done by the Public Works men whilst employed in that locality." Cr North said it was now found by tho department ■ that tho roads wanted widening. They certainly did, but the department constructed them in the first place He suggested that the department be written to, pointing out that tho council was not responsible. Cr Begg said that though the letter was uncalled for, they would not get much further ahead by correspondence, and he moved —"That the Public Works Department be asked to send an engineer to moot tho council at its next meeting." Cr Christie seconded. Lately tho bridges had been coming down in his riding in°all directions, and he would havo to do something—raise a loan, shut up tho bridges cv go back to tho fords. ' The Chairman said there was a large area of Government land in Maclennan Riding which was not rateable, and the Government should do something by grant to help (o provide roads. At present most of them wero only day tracks. Tiio motion was carried.