COUNTY LOAN PROPOSALS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 November 1920, Page 4

COUNTY LOAN PROPOSALS.

(To the Editor). Sir.—l wish to bring under the notice of ratepayers a few objections to the proposed loan for road machinery. To cope with the output from the crusher, it will be to have two tip-lor-ries, as it is beyond the capacity of lorries to work at many of new construction roads of a swampy nature, or in water or loose shingle. The same trouble will arise as stated by Mr Bruce concerning the supply of drays, as it would be necessary to acquire teams etc., but apart from that the gravest objection is the great weight of the plant and the frailty of the County bridges and culverts, some ranging from one to three ton load displacement, (already one collapsed taking a boiler over). To run smoothly and economically it should be run at its maximum output, so would need the aforesaid extras. As the Canterbury Progress League remarked on the good roads of Westland, we must infer there

is no great need for a. large annual expenditure entailing a much higher rate. With the exorbitant price of machinery at the present time' and the great road mileage in comparison to revenue, the majority of roads having little traffic, not justifying a large expenditure. And, as the Government is proposing legislation to take over control and maintenance of the main roads of the Dominion (see Public Works Statement) there is no need for the Council to acquire a plant at the present moment. I recommend that all labour available he concentrated on new bridges, repairs to old bridges, and urgent new road works in the outlying parts of Westland ,and leave this present loan policy to some future date. I am etc., H. H. MONK. Ivoiterangi.