HIGHWAYS BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 23 May 1933, Page 2

HIGHWAYS BOARD

MEETING AT GREYMOUTH

A meeting of the County representative? on No. 12 Highways Council was held at the County Chambers, Greymouth, yesterday alternoon. Present: Messrs Johnston, District Engineer (chairman), Powell (Buller), Clayton Inangahua), Higgins (Grey), Evans (Westland).

The chairman took occasion to congratulate Mr Evans on his return to better health, and expressed pleasure at seeing him again at the Council table. Mr Evans replied appreciating the kindly remarks. The minutes of the previous meeting wore confirmed and the correspondence (outward) approved.

Inward Correspondence.

The chairman of tho Main Highways Board wrote in respect to the removal of dangerous power poles roads. Received; the chairman suggesteding amicable arrangements on a fifty fifty, basis.—Approved. From the same regarding special royalties levied by by-law on roaa traffic. Received; the- chairman to report. From same in respect to the safety of grader drivers where their operations took them on the wrong side or' the road. Received; Council to maintain danger signals where graders are operating, and motor traffic to exercise care while proceeding iu the danger zone. From same stating that rubble, including any form of broken stone, road metal and screenings, were exempt from sales tax.

From same renaming and numbering secondary highways in No. 12 District, Received. Those in the Westland County are: —168, Kanieri-Kokatahi; 169, Upper Kokatalii; 170, Lake Kanieri; 255, Wntaroa. Settlement.

From same, stating the allocation from the revenue fund for maintenance, 1933-34, was £46,,000 for the district (£2,000 less than last year) and £B,OOO for construction (£7,000 increase on last year.—Received. The Chairman said the total available last year was £49,000, and the expenditure had been £4-5 in excess of that amount, Since receiving the letter, further advice had been received notifying £3,000 to £4,000 additional would be available for the district for renewal of bridges. There would thus be about £58,000 available this year, as against £49,000 last year, and in the circumstances he thought the increase satisfactory. The following was the proposed allocation of works in the district covered by the four Counties:— Ordinary Maintenance ~.£38,700 Flood Damage ... , 8,900 , Bridge Repairs 7,600 Culverts 1,400 Miscellaneous 1,200 Total 57,800

ROAD MILEAGE.

The mileage of main highways in the district had been increased during tin* year by Waiho-Weheka, 16 miles, and Te Nainu (Buller)), 1 mile, bringing the total mileage to 528 miles 7 chains. Applications were received for pn additional mileage 0 f 87 miles 35 chains, and the following were approved :

INANGAHUA COUNTY

Springs Junction to boundary of Murchison County, 16 miles;

Cronadun-Capleston, 3 miles '65 chains; »• . Springs Junction to Maruia Hot Springs, 9 miles 34 chains;

GREY COUNTY

Grey Valley-Kumara, 51 miles B(. chains, t 0 be divided into three sections in order of importance.

WESTLAND COUNTY Forks to Okarito, 5 miles.

THE ESTIMATES

The highway estimates were submitted and approved, the lollowing beinj. the Westland votes included:— Kanieri-Kokatahi, £509; Upper Kokntahi, £100; Lake Kanieri, £350;

Wataroa Settlement, £200; Kokatalii

bridge, £160; Kokatahi bridge protection, £100; Harris bridge, £250; McKay’s creek protection, £l2O. These votes are on a subsidy basis of £3 for £l.

Raising Kokatahi road, £l6O (£ for £); Matainui creek bridge and approaches, £950 (County to contribute £238). The votes for the Boroughs are:— Kumara £100; Hokitika, £300; Ross, £lB6, on the usual subsidy basis. For the main highways roads tlie votes are: —Teremakau to Ross, £3840 (with votes totalling £397 for special works); Ross to Waiho £5,390 (with £1,289 for special works); Waiho to Weheka, £1,145; Arthur’s Pass-Otira £3,345 (special votes, additional £1,110). West-land contributes £lO per mile towards main highways roads, the special votes being free. [ Tlie offer by the Westland County in 1 respect to the Matainui bridge vote was accepted by the Highways Board, the County contribution of £238 to be deferred to August and January (two payments). A preliminary vote is included in the above votes for a new bridge at Tlireo Mile, Arahura road, to enable tlie work to be put in hand next year. Provision is made also for overhauling bridges on the main highway, including Deep Creek bridge, Ross Road.

It was resolved that the next meeting be held at Reefton in about si* weeks’ time to deal with the annual report, and inspect works in the Inn 11gahua County.