APPLICATION FOR HIGHWAY

Southland Times, Issue 23336, 21 October 1937, Page 3

APPLICATION FOR HIGHWAY

DIPTON-CASTLEROCK ROAD CONSIDERATION DEFERRED Consideration of the question of declaring the Dipton-Castlerock road a main highway has been deferred until next year, according to advice received yesterday by the Southland County Council. Mr W. G. Pearce, district representative of the Main Highways Board, wrote advising that in conducting the annual review of main highways the board decided to defer consideration of the council’s application for the declaration of the Dipton-Castlerock road until the review next year. There were present at the meeting: Crs A. S. McNaught (chairman), W. M. Norman, G. W. Whittingham, J. Dennis, L. A. Niederer, G. A. Wraytt, T. Golden, F. F. Trapski and J. McNeill. In response to a request from the Automobile Association (Southland) it was decided to erect a St. Andrew’s cross sign at each approach to the Kamahi railway crossing. It was also decided to comply with the association’s request to provide signs at the Gorge Road-Pine Bush road crossing. Acting on a report by the county engineer (Mr G. R. Milward) it was decided to attend to the damage caused by river erosion north of Lobb’s property on Holtz road, Waihopai riding. “The Mataura river is gradually eroding the bank, and if such erosion is not arrested, the existing gravelled road will be endangered in probably 12 months’ time,” stated the engineer. “Five chains of willow planting will be necessary and I recommend that the work be carried out by county labour within the next month.” SUBSIDY ON RATES Replying to a letter from Mr W. M. C. Denham, M.P., the Minister of Finance (the Hon. W. Nash) wrote: “The acting Minister of Labour has referred for my consideration your letter enclosing a letter and statement from the Southland County Council, suggesting, inter alia, that the limitation of £2500 on payment of the subsidy on general rates be abolished. I have noted with interest the remarks set out in the council’s statement, but regret that I fail to see that any reason has been adduced which would justify this limitation being abolished at present. I have, however, noted the council’s views in the event of the question coming up for consideration at a later date.” “We can only receive it,” said Cr Norman. “It is no use commenting on it.” A request from 19 ratepayers to have constructed a footpath on the south side of the West Plains road, from the North road to the railway, was referred to the engineer to report at the next meeting. A letter was received from the Southland Provincial executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union advising that objection had been made to the proposal of the Public Works Department to construct a deviation on the main highway at Kennington and asking for the council’s support of the protest. It was decided not to support the protest. It was stated that as no plans of the proposed deviation were at hand the council was prepared to accept the Highways Board scheme as the best in the meantime. Enclosing details of estimates of the expense involved in the construction of footpaths on the North road, Mr W. G. Pearce, resident public works engineer, wrote stating that it had been decided that in approved cases only, a highways subsidy of £1 for £1 would be granted for both the construction and maintenance of footpaths on State and ordinary highways. The subsidy

would apply to formation, metalling and sealing of footpaths and no kerbing and channelling. The report prepared by the office suggested for consideration the construction of sealed footpaths on the Invercargill-Queens-town State highway, on both sides from the Waihopai bridge to the West Plains road, a distance of 971- chains and on one side for a further 217 chains to the Makarewa township, including a footbridge over the Waikiwi stream. The total cost of this work would be £3163. It was decided to hold over the matter until a traffic tally on the road had been taken. TENDERS ACCEPTED The following tenders for road maintenance work were accepted: Waihopai, Awarua and Toetoes rid-ings—Woodlands-Seaward DownsGlenham district roads, gravel: New Zealand Express Company, £935 7/10. Waihopai riding—White road, Ka T puka, claying, gravelling: R. B. White, £602 12/6. Awarua riding—Cross road, Titipua, cuttings, fillings, culverts: T. Capil, £497 7/6. Waikaia riding—Simpson and Korrell road, reconstruction and gravelling: J. J. Hurley, £6l 10/11. Clark road, Wendonside, formation, gravelling, culverts: J. J. Hurley, £217 16/-. Horrell road, formation and gravelling: J. J. Hurley, £64 2/7. Awarua and Hokonui ridings—Ram’s Creek (Winton-Gore highway): J. Lawrence, £156 1/3. Winton riding—Butts culvert (Lime-hills-Centre Bush highway): H. McCall, £l3O 18/-. Henderson road: H. McCall, £lO2 12/-. Hokonui riding—Dunn and Cody road (McKellar’s bridge): J. Lawrence, £lO9 8/-. Wallacetown riding—Mclnerney s bridge: H. McCall, £384.