ZIGZAG ROAD, KUMARA

Hokitika Guardian, 12 July 1920, Page 1

ZIGZAG ROAD, KUMARA

Mr T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P., has received the following letter from the Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of Public WorkSj ’dated 7th July “ When I was on the West Coast the Kuinara Borough Council represented to me that the above mentioned road had been badly cut up by timber waggons; that slips were continually occurring and blocking the road; and that the river was .encroaching on the south side of the bridge. The Resident Engineer reports that the bridge is in no danger, and that any alteration which has taken place during the last three years in the flow of the river, as affecting the. south approach, has improved the position. The Department has been maintaining and improving the portions of the road nearest "the bridge for several years, owing to the poor financial position, of the Borough. The few slips which have occurred have been removed by the Department, and traffic was only stopped once during the last twelve months, and tlien only for a few hours. . It is admitted that the heavy timber traffic cuts up the road badly, and that the road would soon become impassable if the maintenance work undertaken by the Department was discontinued. The amount expended by the Department last financial year was approximately £2OO, and I will endeavour to make further provision when compiling the Estimates this Session. I cannot, however, refrain from stating that there is no obligation on the part of the Government 'to attend to the maintenance of this road, and that the Borough Council cannot expect the Government to attend to it indefinitely.