WEST COAST NOTES

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17941, 8 December 1923, Page 10

WEST COAST NOTES

MAIN HIGHWAYS ACT.

(BKCIAL TO "saa SUM.") GKEYMOTJTH, December 7. Some of the provisions of the Main Highways Act judged, upon an interpretation by the Council of No. 12 District, are anything but beneficial to the West Coast. It was pointed out at the meeting of the Council this morning that the provisions entail great hardship on sparsely settled districts where there was very little rateable property, and that in the Counties of Buller, Inangahua, Grey and Westland, the sparse settlement, low rating and low capital values made it practically impossible to carry out tho financial provision of the Act that Counties should find two-thirds and Government one-third of the cost oil maintenance and reconstruction.

The difficulty was foreseen at a previous meeting of the Council, and a letter was forwarded to the Main Highways Board asking for information. The reply declared it was difficult to anticipate exactly what would happen in regard to any particular road, as the Board's decision would be dependent on the circumstances. Section 22 of the Act permitted the Board to find the whole cost or a greater proportion of the cost than was laid down in the other sections only in respect to main highways previously declared Government roads. In that case the Board might find the whole cost or a greater proportion than was provided for in the other sections. The position was, therefore, that if a county road was declared a main highway, the Board could contribute £ for £ towards construction and £1 for £2 towards maintenance. If a Government road were declared to be a main highway the Board could vary the rate of contribution to both construction and maintenance.

Mr Higgins (Grey County Engineer) said that Section 22 was an absurdity and would have to be amended. It made reference to "main highways which had been declared Government roads." There were no main highways when the Act was passed, and there were none yet. The wording should have read "a Government road that might be declared a main highway." On the present reading the section was reduced to an absurdity.

Mr Evans (Westland) said he thought a more liberal interpretation could be applied. The general interpretation of the Act should be taken into consideration. The Act gave the Council the machinery to declare a road a main highway. Mr McVicar (Inangahua) suggested a motion to the effect that owing to insurmountable difficulties in the way of financing the project, especially in sparsely settled districts, the Council deem it advisable not to proceed any further.

The chairman (Mr J. D. Gillies) said the way the position could be altered was to have amending legislation promoted next' session. It Was very clear that Counties would have to 3houlder two-thirds of the cost of maintenance on all but Government roads. He suggested that the present main road from Karamea to the South Westland County boundary be declared a Government road. This road passed through all the Counties. The motion was,agreed to. Mr Archer (Buller) then moved that the Government be recommended to declare the Greymouth-Westport coast road a Government road.

Mr Higgins seconded the motion and said there were miles and miles of country along the road from which not a penny of rates was derived, and the road was used mainly for joyrides from Greymouth and the joyriders paid nothing. "You ought to have a tollgate," said Mr Evans. "I have suggested that" said Mr Higgins, "but the suggestion has not met with support." The motion was carried. Writing in roply to'the Council's enquiry regarding the financial provision for carrying out the business of the District Councils, Mr Godfrey, executive member of the Board, said that. Section G of the Act laid down that individual Counties shall pay the expense of their representatives attending meetings both of the District Council and of the executive. A district Council was entirely an advisory body with no funds of its own, consequently there was no provision for payment of administrative expenses. Mr Evans moved that the Board have the matter submitted to the Audit Department for a ruling and that failing favourable consideration, steps be taken to have it amended. The motion was carried.

One of the hardships under which the West Coast labours was mentioned by Mr D. Evans, who said that under the State Forest Act many good areas of land were locked up. The West Coast was experiencing a period of! transition from the mining to the agricultural age, but :t would be a long time before agriculture held sway. The lands locked up were provisional State forests, and yet the roads leading to them, which would be used for the transport of timber from the mills that would occupy the areas some day had to be maintained out of the County's revenue. "Yes," said- Mr D. Archer (chairman of Buller County Council) in a sardonic tone, "but we really put up with that so as to supply the poor farmers in the North Island with timber." Pioneering Days. One result of the interest taken in the Westland Jubilee Exhibition is the discovery of various "relics" of the district's pioneering days. One such is what is believed to be the oldest picture of Greymouth and apparently painted at a spot near the Blaketown Lagoon. A few canvas huts are seen on the site of the town and the rest of the area is bush-clad. The picture's value is enhanced by the fact that the water colours are remarkably well preserved. Another find for the Exhibition collection is an old goldfields directory printed in Hokitika in 1866. It eontains alphabetical and street directories of the West Coast towns, particular attention being paid to Hokitika. It is a well-printed book and rather uniquely illuminated. It belonged to the late Mr E. I. Lord, formerly Town Clerk at Greymouth, and is now the property of his son. Among the other interesting facts it reveals are that in Hokitika at that time there were 101 hotels, while Greymouth at the same period boasted of 57. The good old days must have been dry and dusty. A Model Yacht. Among the modern specimens of workmanship to be displayed at the Exhibition will .be a beautifully constructed yacht made by Captain P. J. Doweil, of the Tees, when he was master of the Ngakutii* The yacht is a model of the Privateer, which visited New Zealand shores a few years ago during an all-round the world cruise. The model is elaborately equipped with gaff, topsails, two mainsails, flying and outer jib and staysails, and has the following dimensions —Length overall, 7ft; beam, 18in; depth, 14in; weight, 1121b. The keel is composed of 601b of lead, and the rudder is self-balanc-ing. The model- is carvel built, which makes for greater speed as opposed to the clinker style which has greater jc-

eistanco power. All the fittings are carved out in brass, and the wires specially plated. A neat piece of workmanship is the blocks which were cut out of wood. The rails,, deeking, and life-boats are made of teak wood, and the masts of kauri. All the other equipment, incidental to a schooner is to be seen on the yacht, one of the chief points of interest being the miniature compass. On the stern, earved out in brass, is the name "Barbara," whilst there are various designs in brass also. The model is attractively painted in green and white. Incidentally there are signs of a revival, locally, of model yacht racing, which ■was, at one time, very popular. More Bridges Promised. It is reported on the best authority (says the "Westport News") that in reply to representations made to the Minister of Public Works regarding the erection of a traffic bridge over Fox's Eiver, the Department states that on investigating the matter they recognise the future necessity of a traffic bridge not only over Fox's river but also over the Porarari and Punakaiki rivers. The repairs to Fox's bridge are estimated at about £2OO, for which provision has been made in the Estimates for a Government subsidy of £IOO. It is understood the necessary repairs will be effected as early as possible. Miners Council. A meeting of the Miners Council is being held to-morrow at Westport. The relief being paid to single men is 17s per fortnight. Boiling. The tournament committee of the West Coast Bowling Association met at Greymouth last evening. Present: Messrs J. Bing (Greymouth) in the chair, A. E. Benjamin (Hokitika), F. Bloxall (Westport), W. Murray (Eunanga), W. Blair, W. Cochrane and W. Scott (Greymouth) and D. Blair, hon. secretary. ' It was reported that the etries for the annual tournament would show a good increase. The dates fixed were Febuary 12th, 13th and 14th, the pairs being played on the opening day, rinks on the second day and the finals of both on the concluding day. The closing date for entries was fixed at January 19th. The Hokitika delegate reported that the southern club would hold an Exhibition tournament for rink play only on January 10th, 11th and 12th. The Eunanga Club notified that December 15th had been fixed as its opening day. A New Lodge. Freemasonry is progressing on the West Coast, and the newest district lodge has been formed at Murchison, where, on Saturday evening last, the Hon. H. L. Michel, Pro. Grand Master, consecrated a new lodge. Prominent Masons from the district extenaing from Blenheim to the West Coast, to the number of about 140, in addition to the Grand Lodge officers, were present. Afterwards, the visitors were entertained at a banquet, where the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured.