The Guardian AND EVENING STAR, With which is incorporated “ The West Coast Times.” THURSDAY, MAY 12th, 1921.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 May 1921, Page 2

The Guardian AND EVENING STAR, With which is incorporated “ The West Coast Times.” THURSDAY, MAY 12th, 1921.

BRIDGING LITTLE WANGANUI HI VEIL The conference convened by the West-1 land Chamber of Commerce to forward tiie above important project to / the southern district, reached the only decision possible under the circum- I stances. The idea of a low level bridge I to lie -erected, when gone closely into, presented certain defects which at once caused the proposal to be vetoed. The most serious contingency likely to result from such a structure placed across the stream, was that put forward by Mr Mclntosh, namely the possibility of river diversion, and not so much the stranding of the bridge high and dry, iJS the probable effect the river would have in serious erosion and flooding, if the stream again took a cut into the north hank. This proposition,- therefore, being laid aside, there was little else to do than fall back on the Government struct life and concentrate all local effort in urging the speedy construction of that main bridge. The public interest displayed in the matter showed that there is great urgency for the bridge, and the trend of the discussion went to show the special need there is for that urgency. The resolution finally reached was a request to the Government to go on with the erection of the three spans of the bridge crossing the main stream of the river. This was the alternative proposal put forward by Mr M'dlner'to that of a low level bridge. As was pointed out by both Messrs Jeffries and Chinn, tne spans proposed would give a permanent crossing from the foundation for the northern approach to a high bank 011 the south side. The bridge( or the portion of it proposed) would land on good country, much higher and safer m every way than the flat river bed where the low level structure was proposed. The proposal therefore has everythin} to commend it. The meeting seized on the idea as the only possible course to pursue, and as an evidence of faith and desire for the work so suggested, offered further to contribute £3OO towards the additional cost which would be in ourred in providing road approaches on and off the structure. This was a I practical step and the evidence of bona fides, and wo take it there will not be* 1 any serious difficulty in raising the amount required on the allocation which has been suggested. The next step appears to be to get the consent of the Minister to the prosecution of the work ns has been suggested. There is the financial-stringency to he considered, of course; hut here is a work which his been recognised for long. Money for the work has been voted over and over again, and if the native timber had been forthcoming under the original contract entered into for its supply, no doubt the bridge itself would have been under construction ere this. The district therefore has the equities of the ease on its side, and the proposal now for a portion of the bridge will not strain the financial position unduly. The main point of the present movement is to get something definite done for next season's traffic, and within the time the work must necessarily he limi- ( tod. The material for the portion of the bridge required is available and no ( doubt paid for, the extra c-ost for la- 1 bor and plant would not seriously in- , tensity the financial stringency and for , that reason there is reason to hope the , present effort will have some practical j result.

the past has been arrested, and here is now an upward tendency, a steady increase, indicating that growth of progress which we are led to believe is about us by reason of the more obvious air of prosperity pervading the district. 'Hie town of Hokitika and the County of Westland both show uniform increases, hut there is a decline in the towns of Kumara and Boss, more marked in the former. But the decline at Kumara is not alarming, and with the rospects of the place, might easily he mended during the next census period. Industry is being established about the town, and its mining glory is not finally eclipsed if all we hear about fresh mining propositions in and about the town of Kumara he true. Over two thousand acres of alluvial country are being pegged out ‘for operative mining, and this work if finally undertaken will give the district a fresh lease of life. In W estland County there is a substantial increase about fhe 1 pastoral and dairying c e utres. Okuru is increasing in population. There are good increases also about Matainui and Hari Hari. At Otira, likewise, there is increased population. The mining loI entities have gone back, though after the experience of the new goldfield adjacent to Reefton, we must not consider gold-mining as "done.” The increase in the town’s population is a pleasing feature of the returns. The old habit of drift has been stopped, and we are now increasing in population. This is indeed very satisfactory and encouraging for the immediate future, giving hope and confidence in the established future of the district which when linked up with the East Coast through the Otira tunnel should advance by leaps and bounds.

The circular from the Minister of Public Works read at the County Council meeting on Tuesday indicated in very plain terms the immediate presence of the financial stringency, which Mr Massey in his optimism just prior to his departure for England, brushed aside so lightly. Mr Contes is very definite as to the position, and on behalf of the Government, intimated that though local bodies had been asked to prepare plans and specifications for works and had clone so, even then unless the authority for expenditure had been issued and the local body committed to the work, the construction may not lie put in hand, it appears that the County Council hero will be badly hit over this sweeping decision. Proposals were in for varoius works, all of which are now Iveld no indefinitely. This is a great drawback to the district. Roads are re-

quired for settlement, milling, mining and other industrial development, but all are treated alike and are to lie held in abeyance. This is a very radical step to take at such short notice. Mr Massey must have been drawing the long bow when speaking so cheerfully of the money available for public Works on the eve of sailing. The screw has been put on with a vengeance. A little while ago it was a ease of plenty of money, and no labor for the works. Now with labor increasing there is not the money available, so the district is being hit in a double sense. This fact combined with the need for many of the works to assist industry and progress should ensure a more generous view of the position by the Government. It would appear however, that matters will have to stand in abeyance till Mr Massey reaches London and is able to float a loan. The needs of the country seem to demand this action, regrettable though it is from so many aspects. .