COUNTY MATTERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 August 1921, Page 1

COUNTY MATTERS.

„ AIKETiXG AT W'AIIIO GORGE. IMPORTANT BRI DGK PROPOSALS. The County party south lust week met the settlers at Wailio Gorge on Thursday evening, there being a good attendance. Air P). Ward. County Chairman,.stated lie was pleased of the opportunity to meet the residents of the district, and discuss in a friendly way their requirements. South A Vest land was look ed upon as the Land of Promise, and lie |'e|l as he viewed their district there was a great future before it. They would soon derive great from the Ot’ira themselves by offfring to contribute a substantial sum towards the 1 cost of the work, providing the Government would agree to eommenee tlm construetion. sav within six oy even twelve, months tilin’. It was understood that the estimated cost of a suspension m idge (the design agreed upon, is In the region o| CO,(ton. To induce the Government le take prompt action tin’ Council might agree contingent with the southern settlers falling in with the proposal t<> find say. PL’,OOO. This would he equal to £1 for every £2 provided by the Government, and as the bridge is on a main road such a contribution seems te be a very equitable amount to offer.. To provide t.h,. (.“2,000 as the work is in part one affecting the County a* a whole, the County fund should «ontril.ute say half jif the amount, and the r'lnaining half to be lound by the Southern Riding by the addition, of an amount to the ordinary rate to provide the quota. This course would lie proferralde under all the circumstances te raising the amount by loan. Pnder section 121 of the Counties Act. genera' rates are levied in Ridings separaielv and provision is made for including i ;i the rail’s the sum required in respect of work in the particular Riding. It is calculated that under the new valuation which it is hoped will be in force for the next rating year, a hali-pcnnv rate over the Southern Riding wil.' produce in the region of £I,OOO. thus providing the quota- suggested for the bridge from the Riding.

Tibs proposal would mean therefore that, PI.OOO would be paid directly out of the County Fund, and a second £],0()0 would in’ provided out of extra rate struck over the whole Riding. 1 nIcss some inducement is offered to the Government to proceed speedily with the work, it seems inevitable that the Waiho .Bridge will remain “a long felt want” for years to come. Air Ward submitted tiie proposals for the consideration of the people. Both Afr dell Vies and Afr Chinn representing the Ridings supported the proposal, and Air Evans gave further particulars in regard to the scheme. Afessrs Cowan (Okiiru) Gibb Bros.. (I)oherty’s Creek), T. Condon (Tatare). and Graham and Schilling (Wailio) supported the proposal and said they feltsure they would meet, with general approbation throughout th<<. district. The Chairman thanked the meeting for the favorable reception of the proposals. tunnel which way (Id be the outlet to tli ( . metropolitan markets and link them up with the commerce of the world.

Tlic Chairman referred to the need for more bridges. In that particular locality the essential need was t he bridging of the Wailio river. Indeed that work accomplished it would be a groat boon to tbo whole of South Westland.

It was the bugbear to traffic, being dangerous at times and frequently not. fordable at all. If they desired that bridge quickly, and he felt there was a necessity for it, then they must be prepared to help themselves in the matter. M said that recently he went into the question of road a it’d bridge grants for this year with the Resident Engineer at Hokitika, .Mr Gillies intimated that a very limited sum could lie granted for AVestland. One of the works which could not he provided for this year was Wailio bridge, for" which last year under vote 56, item 2608. £l5O was voted on accourft of £5,000. In view of these circumstances the question aroso whether it should not be a suggestion to the ratepayers to help A number of lotal matters wore brought heorc the C-aunty party ineluding attention to roads and bridges mails and other requirements. Earlier in the day the party visited Okarito and looked into local needs ■md the next day passed on to AVeheku, where the Waiho bridging quesrtion was received ver v favourable.

Un Saturday the party returned to Watnroa. and met tile settlers at night in regard to the Kakapotahi bridge loan proposals, and returned north yesterday calling nt the Waitalia Settlement *n route.