DISTRICT ROADING

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 June 1936, Page 9

DISTRICT ROADING

NO. 12 HIGHWAYS COUNCIL.

annual meeting. The annual meeting of the No. 12 District Highways Council was held in the Grey County Chambers yesterdnv afternoon, Mr R. P. Smith (Du met Public Works Engineer) presiding over an attendance of the tonowing delegates: Messrs J. (drey County), W. Clayton (lnanoahua) .1. H. Powell (Bullet), V • * • Ashley (Westland) and R. 11. Simmers to the minutes of the last annual meeting, the Chairman , said that it had been decided to approach the Automobile Association relatl to the placing of name plates on the various bridges. A list ahd been prepared, but in the rush of woik the ( matter had been held up. However j the matter was being followed up, and ] the lists were now uretty well com- ] P1 Tho Main Highways Board, in re- ; piv to the Council’s letter urging a , higher rate of subsidy to counties foi , tar-sealing work, stated that the ( Board could not provide more than 1 £3 for £l, as if they did so then ( funds would quickly be exhausted, to j the detriment of ordinary mamten- 5 ance work. £3 for £1 was the rate ( that the Board must adhere to at piesent, although they would be pleased j to consider any special circum- i stances. , t ■ Mr Powell said that at the piesent time the whole finances of the ] country were in a better position, and he thought that the Board could eas- j ily increase the subsidy. ( The Chairman said that it must be , remembered that there were many < necessary works which had to go on, ‘ such as bridge renewals. Mr Powell said that he agreed with that, but still he considered the High- ■ ways Board should now be in a better position to assist the local bodies. The Chairman said that last year « the amount set aside for highways work in this district was £llO,OOO, but actually £139,000 was spent. This ' year the allocation was £174,000, oi £60,000 more than last year. ' , Mr Powell said that he thought that the Board should meet the County < Councils with more than a £3 for £1 subsidy for sealing. It was the £1 which affected the local bodies. ANNUAL REPORT. J The Chairman submitted the follow- < ing report for the year ended Marell 31, 1936: —Again during the past year 1 there has been a large increase in ( the programme of works undertaken '■ in this district, and much has been i accomplished in the way of sealing, bridging and the improvement of narrow and tortuous sections of highway. It has been frequently found that types of sealing which prove satisfactory in one locality are unsatisfactoiy in another, owing to varying local conditions, and for this reason it is common practice to try out various ( classes of sealing to prove which ‘ gives the most satisfactoiy lesults. Partly for this reason, and partly to keep in line with the latest ideas on ( the subject, two new types of sealing have been tried out in this district r during the past year. From Paroa. to Taramakau River and between Kaihuiu and Flowery Creek railway < crossings a road oil was used with 1 comparatively large stone chips, this provides a roughish non-skid surface, and as the chips retain their greyish- ( white colour, there is an absence of ’ glare at night, which makes night driving much safer. Through Brunner borough and through Camerons an emulsion seal coat with smaller stone chips was used. This class of work also provides a slightly rough surface, which is not susceptible to skidding. The surface, however, is black, and consequently conditions are not ■ so good for night driving, especially ' in wet weather. Emulsion work was ( adopted in these localities to provide a somewhat smoother surface for pedestrians. Both classes of sealing are giving satisfactory results, and it is the intention to carry out further ■ work of a similar nature during the current year. During the year “ i miles of new sealing has been com plcted, bringing the total length of dustless surfacing in the district up to 24?,' miles, and it is proposed to complete a further 8:1 miles next summer; , Extensive improvement works have been undertaken on the following sections. of highway:— Granity to Stockton; Waimangaroa to Burnett’s Face; , Charleston to Brighton; Bullet Gorge; Greymouth to Dobson. All these works are still in hand though some are nearing completion. In October, • the Board decided to proceed with the , construction of the Kumara-Flowery Creek deviation and work was com- ( menced immediately. The deviation, which is eight miles in length, will shorten the distance between Greymouth and Hokitika by Si miles. Formation work is nearing completion and contracts have been let or tend- ( ers called for the construction of the six bridges on the route, while tenders have also been called for the first section of metalling. This year again considerable progress has been made with the bridging programme, 671 lineal feet of bridges being completed during the year, while the construction of several other bridges is well advanced. With a few exceptions the work has been carried out in reinforced concrete and on the more important highways sufficient deck width has been provided for two-way traffic. Full advantage was taken of the Unemployment Board's subsidy on bridge construction. This subsidy has now been withdrawn. The past year has been a good one from the point of view of flood conditions, no damage involving heavy expenditure having occurred. The gross expenditure from the Board’s funds during the last four years, in connection with highway works in this district, was:—l932-33, £55,039; 1933-34, £65,246; 1934-35, £82.056; 1935-36, £139,163. Although a definite amount has not yet been allocated to the district for the current year, it is anticipated that approximately £174,000 will be made available. This is more than was provided last year, but it is not so favourable i-s would at first appear owing to heavy commitments in connection with Kumara-Flowery Creek deviation. Ihdiilika River bridge at Kanieri, and various improvement schemes which arc at present in hand. The im’y length of highway declared during the year was the Kumara-Flowery Credjt deviation

which brings the total length of main highways in the district up to 540 miles 31 chains. This year applications have been received from Local Authorities for the declaration of 90 miles 59 chains of additional highways. Members will have no doubt observed in the Press statements with regard to the Government’s intention to eliminate as many level crossings as possible. The Boaid has had the matter in hand for some time in so far as crossings on highways are concerned and has already decided to eliminate by road deviation, and overbridge, the Kiwi crossing At Brunner, where work will be. commenced in the immediate future. Investigations are also in hand with a view to the elimination’ of other crossings in the district. Members will also have read in the Press, the Minister’s recent announcement concerning the nationalisation of highways. The highways in this district which will bo included in tho State system are: —NelsonInangahua Junction; Inangahua Junction-Weheka; Inangahua Junc-tiou-Westport; Arthur’s Pass-Kumara. You will have observed from the concluding portion of the Minister’s statement that until the necessary legislation has been passed and the 1 State highway system has been brought into operation, the Local Authorities now in charge of main highways which are to become State highways, will retain control, so that the question of maintenance will continue in the meantime under the Local Authorities. The Minister expressed the hope that Local Bodies would not neglect tho highways pending the introduction of the change and he appealed for them to continue adequate maintenance of tentative State highways and expressed the opinion that they would co-operate. Any neglect to continue maintenance will simply mean a greater demand on the Board’s funds to make good the deficiency when the State highway system is taken over. It is not possible at this stage to say when the State system is likely to come into effect, but the Minister’s intention is to introduce legislation as early as possible next session, and, as soon as the provisions become law, the arterial highways will be taken over with a minimum of delay. In framing their estimates, it is suggested that Local Bodies proceed on the basis of continuing the maintenance of the provisional State system say until the 30th. September. If this date should be slightly exceeded, no doubt the Local Bodies could continue in charge of maintenance and find their usual contribution without embarrassment.

The Minister also stated that while the Main Highways Board would not assume any responsibility for antecedent. liabilities on such State Highways, the idea was thatJToin the date on which tho arterial highway was declared a State highway the full cost of construction and maintenance would bo met from Highway funds. Where a. work has already been completed, no allowance would be made to that Local Authority concerned for its share of the expenditure, but where a work was still in hand at the time, of classification, an apportionment would bo made, under which the Local Body would pay its contribution only up to the date on which the State highway was taken over. The following statement shows the more important works carried out during the past year: — Inangahua Junction —Weheka Main Highway:—Bourke’s Creek Bridge: The existing narrow timber bridge is being replaced by a 50ft reinforced concrete bridge with provision for two-way traffic. Work is well advanced. Landing Creek Bridge: An old narrow timber bridge has been replaced by a reinforced concrete structure 105 ft in length and 20ft wide. Larry’s Creek Deviation: The deviation, which eliminates t\vo railway crossings, and a 40ft by 20ft. wide reinforced concrete bridge over York Creek has been completed. Minehan’s Creek Bridges: Two reinforced concrete bridges, one 40ft, and the other 30ft in length, are being constructed to obviate open fords. At the same time the highway is being deviated, for 37 chains to provide a better alignment.

Friends Creek Bridges: Three 28ft long reinforced concrete bridges have been completed. Reef ton Township: A length of 92 chains between the Railway Station and the centre of the town has been prepared, for sealing. Devils Creek Bridge: The construction of this 40ft span bridge has been completed. Adamstown Creek Overflow Bridge: A short reinforced concrete bridge has been built over this overflow.

Greymouth-Brunner Improvements: Extensive improvements of this fourmile section are nearing completion. The work has consisted of widening, improving gradients and raising portions of the road subjected to flooding. Kaiata Creek Bridge has been replaced by a 40ft span reinforced concrete structure with sufficient width for two-way traffic. Racecourse Creek Bridge: This timber bridge has been strengthened and widened to take two lanes of traffic. Paroa to Taramakau River: A length of approximately miles has been reconstructed and sealed. Brunner Borough: A length of 3:{ miles has been scaled. Kaihiuu-Flowcry Creek: This l.wo niile section has been reconstructed and scaled.

Hokitika River Bridge at Kanieri: A temporary structure, 165 ft in length has been built to bridge tho gap in this bridge caused by the floods of February 1935. A contract has recently been let for the construction of a permanent reinforced concrete bridge 806 ft in length. Gow’s Creek Culvert: A large reinforced concrete culvert has been constructed on an improved road alignment. Road ‘work is still iii hand. Urquhart’s Creek Culvert: The construction of a large reinforced concrete culvert and 13 chains of road deviation to eliminate a dangerous corner have been completed.

Arthur’s Pass-Kumara Main Highway: Kelly’s Creek Bridge: The old bridge has been replaced by a reinforced concrete structure 120 ft in length. Rangiriri Creek Bridge: A 22ft span reinforced concrete bridge has been built to replace an old timber structure. Taipo River Bridge: This old timber bridge is being reconstructed utilising the old cylinder piers. The new structure, which is well in hand, will consist of two 110 ft and one 40ft. steel girder spans with a reinforced concrete deck. Between Dillmans Junction and Otira fords nt Hie following creeks, have been ob\iated by the construction of culverts or bridges, and it is proposed to continue with this work in connection with other creeks during the coming year. North Creek, Humphfey’s Creek, and two creeks near Jacksons.

Westport-Greyiuouth (Coast Road): Big Totara River Bridge: Superstructure has been renewed. CharlestonBrighton: Definite improvements to width, gradients and alignment have been continued during the past year. Lawson’s Creek Bridge: A 35ft span by 20ft wide reinforced concrete bridge has been completed. At 9i' Mile: A deviation 53 chains in length made necessary by sea erosion, has been completed. The bridge over the first crossing of Coal Creek is being widened to take two-way traffic. Twist’s Hill: The road over this hill in Runanga Borough has been lowered, widened and straightened, while the rest of the Borough section is being prepared for sealing. Kanieri-Koiterangi Main Highway: Dimmick Creek Bridge: The construction of a 25ft span reinforced concrete bridge has been completed. Lake Kanieri Highway: Coal Creek Bridge: The old timber bridge is being renewed in reinforced concrete, the new structure having a single span of 50 feet. Black Bridge; This bridge has been icplaced with a water drive. The bridge has been removed and a filling made over the creek bed. Reefton-Maruia Main Highway: A deviation 34 chains in length, is be:ng constructed in connection with the renewal of Lankey’s Creek Bridge, Granity-Stockton Main Highway: Improvements to this mile length of highway are nearing copipletion. Tho work has consisted of straightening, improving curves and gradients and providing extra width throughout.

Waimangaroa-Burnett’s Face Main Highway: Improvements to this highway, which is approximately eight miles in length, have been of a similar nature to those undertaken between Granity and Stockton. Dlr Powell asked the Chairman how long it would be before the Kumara Junction-Flowery Creek deviation would be finished, and whether it would affect the Kumara people. The Chairman said that it would be about nine months before the deviation was open for traffic. The job at present was going on very well. Tenders had been called for all of the bridges, and most of the contracts had been let. The State Highway, Inangahua Junction to Weheka. was going through the deviation, and Kumara would definitely be connected to it. The portions from the railway station to Kumara and from Kumara to Hokitika were still highways. Mr Ashley said that the. Westland County Council was very pleased with the recent sealing carried out in their district by the Public Works Department. Although it had not been on very long, they thought it was much better than the previous work done.

Mr Higgins said that he thought it was possible with the type of sealing referred to, where the stones were held only at the bottom, the water might filter through from Lhfe surface, and destroy the foundation. The Chairman said that a similar type of sealing near Wellington, carrying 1000 vehicles a day had stood for seven or eight years, and had not been touched up. If the surface broke down, it was not the fault of the sealing, but of something underneath. Mr Higgins: That, means that extra cure is necessary in preparation?

The Chairman: Yes. r fhe sealing is only a skin, and must have strength underneath.

STATE HIGHWAYS

Mr Ashley asked what would happen in the event of the Government taking over the highways in regard to ratepayers having frontages on the highways. In the past the County Councils had assisted the ratepaiyers by putting culverts over drains and making approaches. Would the same procedure be adopted? The Chairman said that legal opinion on the matter had been secured by the Highways Board, and in that it had been laid down that where a drain was put alongside a road for the drainage of the roadway and farm land, the onus of providing a culvert was on the landholder, but if the drain was purely for the road, then the authority controlling the road was responsible. However, anything that the Board did would have to be done legally, it could not give things away like County Councils. Mr Higgins moved that the Highways Board’s attention be drawn to the question as to whether the Board’s control on State Highways would be confined to the road formation only, or to the whole width of the reserve, it being the opinion of the Council that it would be undesirable to have roads under dual control. The motion was seconded by Mr Clayton and carried. / The Chairman’s report was adopted, cn the motion of Messrs Clayton and Powell.. j CHAIRMAN RE-ELECTED. On the motion of Messrs Higgins and Clayton, Mr Smith was re-elected Chairman of the Council, for the ensuing twelve months. In reply to a question, by Mr Higgins the Chairman said that the Public Works rates had been taken as a basis for payment of highway surfacemen, 17/- it,day for a five-day week. However, as soon as something definite was received from the Highway Board, it would be comniunicatcu to the local bodies.

Mr Powell said that he supposed that the Government would ask the local bodies to provide the same con-

ditipus as the Public Works Department.

The Chairman said that he had seen where there was a move to form a union of County employees, and’ he supposed the question of conditions would come through that channel. The annual estimates for highways work in the district, totalling £220,000, were approved, on the motion of Messrs Powell and Ashley. PROTEST TO BOARD. /Mr Higgins said that his Council had been very disappointed last year over the fact that, although 500 miles of new highways were gazetted in the Dominion, this province got nothing. He would move that, the Council protest against the action of the Highways Board in practically ignoring the claims of this district for extra highways when over 500 miles were declared in New Zealand last year, and not one was declared in the Counties of Grey. Buller and Ihangahua.

The Chairman said that he was quite prepared to accept the motion, although he did not agree with it. He considered that this district had received excellent treatment. They were getting money spent out of all proportion to the population and the amount of traffic. If they compared the expenditure with other districts they would find that this district was about third highest last year, and since the inception of the Board the expenditure on maintenance works was twice as high as any other district in the South Island, and second in the whole of New Zealand. Although they might not be getting it in tho declaration of highways, they were certainly getting it in expenditure.

Mr Higgins said that he had made inquiries, and. had been informed that the allocation of highways was based, on the amount of roads, and if that was so, then this district was being ignored. The Chairman said that he had never heard of that basis of allocation. He understood that national importance and the amount of traffic were the determining factors. Mr Clayton said that, the West Coast was in a different position from other areas. Sometimes there was twenty miles of road without a ratepayer on it, and in addition there was the high cost of formation and maintenance, through floods. The Chairman said that ho had pointed out those factors to the Highways Board, but at the same time, he considered that the Board had given this district a fair spin. It had missed last year, but the previous year it had got a good bundle of new declarations. 5

Mr Higgins: The Grey County got only thfee or four miles! The Chairman: No. You did not do so well. Mr Higgins said that a lot of the roads in this district were scenic and tourist roads, and brought in no revenue to the local bodies at all. Mr Higgins’ motion was seconded by Mr Clayton. The Chairman: If I were doing this I would declare no more highways in this district, but instead I would spend the money on what you have already got. I do not think there are any, witli the exception of one or two small links, for highways. ’ Mr Higgins: Then it seems that you are against us. The, Chairman: I have to oppose the motion, because I‘do not think it is right, if we are not getting it in highways, we are getting a fair spin in money spent. /

Mr Clayton: The money being spent is not helping the County Councils. Mr Higgins said that the money was squandered in improving roads, while there was no money for new roads. Mr Clayton: What the Counties want is money to assist them with their district roads.

The Chairman: I do not think that we have got a goud case for any more highways in this district. This motion is a bit sweeping. My personal opinion is that it would be belter Io relievo the Counties of expense on existing highways, rather than to declare new ones.

The motion, that a protest be made, was carried, the Chairman asking that his vote against it be recorded in the minutes, he being the only dissentient.

HIGHWAYS RECOMMENDED. In connection with the annual review of main highways, it was decided to recommend applications to have the following roads declared highways:—Buller County Council: Westport-Tauranga Bay, 9 miles; Inangahua County: (1) Springs Junction to County boundary, 14 miles, (2) Cronadun-Capleston Road, 3 miles 65 chains (second choice); Grey County: Brunner to Bell Hill, including portion in Brunner Borough, 16 miles 62 chains, (2) Mitchells to Haupiri Junction 24 miles! 68 chains (second choice), (3) Ngahere-Blackball-Roa. 5 miles 14 chains; Westland County: (1) Wanganui Flat Road, 8 miles, first choice, (2) Wataroa Flat Road, 7 miles; Ross Borough Council: Moorhouse Road, Sulb Street to Railway Station; i mile 10 chains; Kumara Borough Council: Greenstone’ Road, ’foot of Sandy’s Hill to Seddon Street,

t mile. Total length of new . highways applied for, 90 miles, 59 chains. In connection with tho Greenstone Road application, the Chairman said

that the road would carry very little traffic with the completion of the Kumara Junction-Flowery Creek deviation) and he could not recommend it.

Mr Powell moved that the Council urge that the Greyniouth-Westport coastal road be made a State highway.

Tho motion was seconded by Mr Higgins.

Mr Powell said that it was really a main highway at the present time, and was used by all people travelling New Zealand, being utilised a great deal us a tourist road.

Mr Higgins said that the road traversed only one riding in the Grey County, and yet the other eight ridings had to contribute towards its heavy maintenance. x i The Chairman said that with the declaration of the Inangahua JunctionWeheka section as a State highway, the County Council would have £5BO per annum more to spend on 'the. Coast road.

Mr Higgins said that in preference the Council would spend the money elsewhere, as the backblocks roads had been neglected. He would suggest that the coastal road should' be declared a State highway, in preference to the section already declared. Mr Clayton said that the. Iriangahua County Council would not agree to that proposal.

The Chairman said that the State highways were to be the links straight through, and he did not think tho Minister would agrqe to bring a State highway, so far, and then stop it short, and continue off in another direction.

Mr Clayton said that he would not like to see the State highway diverted via the coastal road, and cut out the Grey Valley road.

Mr Higgins: Unless wo can have both, 1 would prefer the coastal road a State highway rather than the Grey Valley road.

The Chairman said that, being a scenic road, and used by foreign traffic, the coastal road might be con-, sidered as an additional State highway.

The motion was carried. Mr- Ashley asked if the Council could give any support t,o the effort of the Westland County to obtain assistance for the tar-sealing scheme in the Kokatahi Valley. , / The Chairman said that the Highways Board could not agree to 'sealing where the traffic was less than 100 vehicles a day, in preference to denser localities. In addition the present' maintenance cost of the Kokatahi road was only about £25 per annum, whereas under sealing it would cost over £lOO per annum, allowing for a new coat every five years, at £5OO per mile. Mr Ashley said that apparently his Council would have to see what they could do on their own.

It was decided that, if. possible, a meeting of the Council should be held in Reefton during the summer monihs and ’an inspection made of the Lewis Pass route.