Page image
Page image

C.—l

Mangle's Bridge. —A survey of the site for this bridge has been made, plans prepared, and the contract for constructing the bridge and approaches has been advertised. The wire-rope for the bridge has been delivered at the site of the bridge. Greenstone-Teramakau Road. —The works upon this road are now finished, which comprises 74 chains bushfelling, formation, metalling, culverts, drains, and turn-outs, and were carried out upon the co-operative system by settlers on the settlement, and which is found to be of great convenience, as when the river is in small flood it cannot be forded. With the balance of funds in hand lam now putting the present dray-roads on flat in order, as they are very much worn out. The road from ford to main Christchureh Eoad is also being repaired, that being part and parcel of settlement road. Stafford-Waimea Road.— The construction of this road has been retarded, chiefly on account of its passing through private property; but this difficulty has lately been overcome, so that in the near future I may be able to proceed with the works. Drainage, Stafford Toicnship. —This provided for construction of 30 chains protective-works along bank of Waimea Creek to prevent flood water getting into Stafford Township, which was in imminent danger of being wholly washed away, and also to obviate the necessity for a costly deviation of the main road. Hokitika-Valley Road. —During the year two miles of a horse-track has been completed, which includes bushfelling 16 ft. wide, formation, with all level crossings over creeks. 20 chains of this passed along the Green Bluff, and was cut out from the solid rock, some of it being sheer. There still remains one mile to complete horse-track up to cage over Hokitika Biver, after which a packhorse can go from Diedrich's Upper Station to that point, being a distance of seven miles and a half. I find all the sidling country along which our track passes to 'be very rotten, and no sooner do we disturb the surface than down oomes a landslip, which, of course, must be cleared away, so is therefore double work and extra expense. Dawson Road. —This road was drained, formed, metalled, and completed a distance of 78 chains from the main Kokatahi Road to Eaft Creek, at the foot of terrace. Thorough access is now provided for settlers and miners into the block of country west of Lake Kanieri. Great South Road. —The completion of widening and maintaining the main road from Mikonui to Mount Hercules, about thirty-one miles, thus enabling the settlers in the adjoining districts to cart their produce to market, as hitherto all supplies had to be packed. Quite an impetus to settlement has been given by the construction of this work. Flood Damage, £1 for £1 (granted to Westland County Council). —This was in connection with roads repaired throughout Westland County in consequence of damage caused by floods. Westland Ferry Service. — This was an amount granted to the Westland County Council towards the maintenance of ferries over fourteen rivers in the county. The service has been efficiently performed. Franz Josef Glacier Track. —The track from wire-bridge up to glacier has been greatly improved ; the old zigzag has been done away with, and a new one made by carrying an even grade along terrace to flat. Most of the large stones on track have also been cleared away, so that now the track is in good order. I have also had erected an iron shelter-hut some 30 ft. long and containing three compartments, which will be found very convenient for tourists. Its situation is good, and within easy distance of glacier. Track to Fox Glacier. —This track was balloted for under the co-operative system upon two different occasions, but was given up, as the men considered the estimate was too low. lam now constructing it by day labour, and so far the prices given were good, and I should say will leave a margin to the good. Haast Pass Track. —This track has suffered a good deal during year from the big floods which have taken place, but repairs have always been punctually done, so that no inconvenience takes place to travellers. A deal of rock-blasting has also been done at Clarke Bluff, and lam still doing further works there, which is expensive owing to distance men have to come. Whitcombe Valley Track. —This track is a continuation of the Hokitika Valley Track, and passes through the Whitcombe Pass, being a distance of eighteen miles. The work done upon this portion during the past year consists in prospecting, cutting, and grading a line up to Price's Flat. Upon the best route being chosen, I put on a party of men to clear and bench out a track 18 in. wide, so that foot-travellers have now good walking to that place (Price's Mat). The country from Hokitika Eiver crossing to Slip Creek, being a distance of about 2 miles 50 chains, is extremely rough, and passing through Collier Gorge the slope has an angle from 40 to 50 degrees, with a deal of rock-cutting ; and I am of opinion that if a pack-track were made the landslips would be fewer than what took place upon the Hokitika Valley Eoad, as the country appears to be firmer. From Slip Creek to bottom of Park Gorge, being a distance of 3 miles 30 chains, the track traverses a succession of flats, where fairly good firm ground is to be had, so requiring very little making. From mouth of Park Gorge to Price's Flat, being a distance of 3 miles 40 chains, the country becomes more broken, and some of the sideling ground is steep and very much on the move if disturbed ; but this is the only possible line that can be got. This has been benched 18 in. wide, so the travelling is fairly good, except where slips have taken place. From Price's Flat to Cave Camp, being a distance of 4 miles 40 chains, only a survey line exists in places, and progress is very slow, as you have to go up and down into the river-bed so often. I find it will be necessary to take the road-line away from the river-bed and try a new line along the face of mountain, say, some 200 ft. or 300 ft. above river-bed, and I am of opinion this can be done, but, of course, the grades will have to be dodged so as to pick fairly good country ; but wherever the line may be I am certain it is rough, with steep slopes and a good deal of rock to contend with. From Cave Camp to Pass is a distance of four miles, and the proposed route to be graded must be well away from river-bed, and from what I can see of the country from below it

80

Log in or create a Papers Past website account

Use your Papers Past website account to correct newspaper text.

By creating and using this account you agree to our terms of use.

Log in with RealMe®

If you’ve used a RealMe login somewhere else, you can use it here too. If you don’t already have a username and password, just click Log in and you can choose to create one.


Log in again to continue your work

Your session has expired.

Log in again with RealMe®


Alert