TE KINGA PROPOSAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 August 1946, Page 2

TE KINGA PROPOSAL

COST OF BRIDGE ESTIMATED AT £33,000 SCHEME NOT FAVOURED After an inspection of the site of the. proposed bridge across tn Crooked river at Te Kiriga, as soug i by residents of that township, ana also the Crooked river valley roacl and the proposed bridge to give access to Rotomanu, the acting el ?f me £r to the Grey County Council,, Mr. n. E. Higgins, estimated that the nrsi scheme would cost £33,000 and th second £12,000, according to a report placed before the council yestei - day. A similar report was receive from the Public Works Department. It was decided that a copy °f tl } e latter be forwarded to the Te Kin to a residents, together with a letter from the council pointing out that the tota amount of rates collected was only £lO,OOO a year and no provision couia be made from this sum for a £33,uuu bridge and road, particularly m view of the unfavourable attitude oi the Puglic Works Department.

Alternative Routes. The engineer’s report stated that a bridge costing £ 16,5'00 would have to be built on the downstream side oi the present structures. Approaches would cost £ 1000. The length of road necessary to be constructed to Rotomanu was about 31 miles. lhe first 21 miles would present no dimculties, as the route would be roughly parallel to the railway line. The line would have to be crossed by an oyerhead bridge, however, and the road taken across a swamp on to high ground, crossing the Poerua river en route. One further bridge would be, needed across an overflow of the Poerua river. The first 2 2 miles of road formation and metalling at £3OOO per mile would cost £ and the last mile would cost £.lOOO. Contingencies at 10 per cent, were estimated at £3OOO, bringing the total for the work to £33,000. On the alternative scheme, one and a quarter miles of road formation and metalling at £2500 per mile were required (£3125), and a 250tt bridge costing £7500 would be necessary. Contingencies (£1375) brought the total cost to £12,000. The Crooked river valley road, if completed to Rotomanu, would place the whole o.i that district five miles nearer to Greymouth. * • 4+c The Public Works Department in its report stated that the latter route was the more logical, and would also open up farm lands. The Te Kinga scheme, it was stated, was obviously out ot the question, and it was suggested that the Te Kinga residents approach the appropriate authority with a ,J e " quest to have the railway bridge widened. Cr. J. W. Hannan (chairman) presided at the meeting and also present were Crs. A. McDonnell, J. Ryan, 1. G. Jamieson, W. Fisher, R. Clark, J. Mulcare, and F. Donovan.

Rotomanu Request. The Rotomanu branch of the Federated Farmers complained of the poor visibility in the rock-cutting on Hodgkinson road, and asked that an improvement be made to this dangerspot.—Left to the engineer for a report- -r, , The Ngahere branch ot the T ederated Farmers requested that an inspection be made of Callaghans creek, Matai; with a view to diverting it to its original channel.—The engineer reported that the Public V7orks Department had. advised him that the matter would be dealt with by the Main Highways Board. Mrs. R. Stevens, on behalf ol Mr. W. Lines, complained that an access road at Rutherglen had been enclosed by a farmer and was being used as a paddock.—lt was decided to advise Mrs. Stevens to apply to the Land Board to see that the conditions of the lease were complied with.

Access Road Wanted. The Te Kinga Land and Timber Coy., Ltd., requested that an access road to the bush-camp on the Kumara-. Mitchells road be given consideration. —Referred to the engineer for a report. , . j It was decided to seek the assistance of the Minister of Transport, Mr. O’Brien, regarding repairs to the Blackball water race. The engineer reported that a further span of 25 feet-would be required to the Potts creek bridge as the creek had widened its bed. This would cost £6s.—The matter was left in the hands of the engineer. The treasurer’s statement of receipts for the period ended July 30, was adopted as follows:—Rates £476 14/10, vehicle licences £1745/5/6, sundry licences £386/12/6, royalties and rents £25/12/-. sales and hire £75/7/6, refunds of compensation £6l/12/1, main highways £315 15/11 Government grants £269/14/6, goldfields £2594/14/8, “halves and “thirds” £164/10/11, “fifths and “tenths” £748/3/4, employment scheme £565/8/10, sundry £147 15/4; total £7577/7/11.