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Hokitika Guardian, 4 August 1921, Page 2

In the midst of plenty the County Council works appear to he languishing 'for the want of prompt timber •applies. This at a time when mills are reported to be closing down for the want of orders, appears to l(o rather a remarkable- petition. Cr. Alorel and also Cr. Chestormnn voiced very real complaints at Tuesday's mot-t----ing at the delay and inconvenience in securing timber supplies, and tin* extra cost incurred in regard to bridge repairs through the tardy manner in which orders for timber are executed. No doubt the special class of timber required for local body works—all heart -accounts in the main for the delay. With millers operating in a certain kind of bush, hearty timber of bridge dimensions is not always easily recoverable, and with orders for less particular timber to be filled, the miller ivLi is anxious to deliver quantity inster I of quality is not zealous about local orders. Still the local body is deserving of some consideration at the hands of the millers. Tn most Cases the local body has to spend liberally to keen up the roads for the transport of tinmill product to the point of shipment, or the miller from time to time seeks special concessions from the local body It cannot be said that the body throws any obstacles in the. way of the imlu - try, nor neglects to help fight tinbattle of the miller in any matter of public interest. As a quid pro quo the millers on their part should Inrather zealous to assist Hie local ho<lv where it can. The County Council L 'going to place its orders in advance in the future as far as it can so that mil- | lers will Is- able to cut requirement'- J as the hush serves or conditions permit. Perhaps this will meet the case, 1 • 1 does seem hard that a road should he elosed for a month for the sake of n few sticks of timber to repair a damaged- culvert. ( At,though those engaged in motor lorry had a month to formulate proposals to the County Council regarding excessive loading over the , district roads, those concerned I’aib ' j to supply—as tlu-y promised to do- - j suggestions to meet the positions. In j the circumstances the Council had to ( trike the matter Into its own hands, j This was done bv deciding to stop all heavy traffic where roads fire bring

damaged to Excess, unless those causing the damage agree to pay half the cost of the, repairs. From the figures quoted it would appear that during the past two or three months the local body has been mulcted in heavy costs to keep up the roads, and it was quite apparent the finances would not stand the strain indefinitely. AVhen it is disclosed that a richly circumstanced local body like the Southland County Council is not able to carry on just now, and other local bodies* in various parts of the Dominion are also in financial difficulties, the local County Council must look closely to its position. At every meeting lately there are reports of culverts and bridges being broken or seriously damaged by the heavy traffic and timbers have to bo renewed, in stronger dimensions and at higher cost. There must be a limit to this draining expenditure and the Council has resolved that the time is now at hand to safeguard the general interests by compelling those responsible for the damge either to cease operating or share the burden of the cost. This course is not unreasonable Self-protection suggests! it is necessary, and no doubt those concerned will realise the position, and attempt to fairly meet the position. The local body in the past has assisted the traffic very liberally and those who have benefitted by the liberality should now be prepared to contribute quid pro quo.