KUMARA-KAPITEA ROAD

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 June 1928, Page 2

KUMARA-KAPITEA ROAD

NOT CONSIDERED NECESSARY

Air Seddon, ALP., has received the following advice from the Minister for Public Works: — With reference to the Westland County Clerk’s letter dated February 25 last, which you handed to the Right Hon. the Prime Alinister urging the authorisation of the grant for the Kumara Junction, Kapitea Road, I (have to advise that the District Engineer, at Greymouth, has furnished me with a report which shows the present position concerning this road. It appears that the local body submitted proposals for the re-forma Eion and metalling of 60 chains from Serpentine Creek towards Chesterfield at an estimated cost of £6OO, and requested authorisation of the Government grant of £4OO (£2OO, £1 for £1). These proposals were satisfactory, but in view of the fact that the settiers affected are reasonably well served by the railway, it was considered advisable to withhold authorisation until such time as more urgent works had received attention. The length of road covered by these proposals was formed in 1914, but since that date I understand the local body has done practically nothing in the way of maintenance, so that a considerable amount of clearing and re-formation would now be necessary before metal could be placed. However, the settlers on this road, owing to the railway, are in a decidedly better position than many others who are still isolated and having only pack track access, and in these circumstances, I regret to state that I cannot at the present time, see my way clear to approve authorisation of the amount requested. I might mention that when the Alain Highways Board was at Greymouth early this year, the County Council brought- up the question of extending this road to join the Alain Road at Flowery Creek, and these representations were considered in conjunction with the proposals dealt with above. I am informed that there is a distance of four miles 50 chains still' to be formed to connect the two roads, this length with a further 2 miles 25 chains to be metalled and several bridges to be erected, the whole work being estimated to cost in the vicinity of £lO,OOO. The present formation at the Kumara end serves only one Settler, but if extended to Chesterfield, a further three would benefit, and on the south side of Awatuna Station there is one only, so that from a settlement point of view there is no doubt that the expenditure of so large a sum is not warranted. As a through road it would, if formed, shorten the distance between Greymouth and Hokitika by seven miles, but as it would run parallel with the railway right through ,it would appear that the work is not necessary, and in any case the Government should not be expected to find the total cost. The Right Hon. the Prime Minister, when Alinister of Public Works, stated that he would not agree to form the road past Chesterfield, and after considering all the circumstances, I find that I am unable to depart from my predecessor’s decision.