COUNTY MATTERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 August 1921, Page 4

COUNTY MATTERS.

MEETING AT WAIHO GORGE. IMPORTANT BRIDGE PROPOSALS. The County party south last week met the settlers at AVaiho Gorge on Thursday evening, (.here being a good attendance. Mr B. Ward, County Chairman, stated he was pleased of the opportunity to meet the residents ot the district, and discuss in a friendly way their requirements. South Westland was looked upon as the Land of Promise, and he felt as he viewed their district there was a great future before it. They would soon derive great benefit from the Otira tunnel which would be the outlet to the metropolitan markets and link them up with the commerce of the world. The Chairman referred to the need for more bridges. In that particular locality the essential need was the bridging of the Waiho river. Indeed that work accomplished it would be a great I boon to the whole of South Westland. ! It was the bugbear to traffic, being dangerous at times and l icquently not fordable at all. If they desired that' bridge quickly, and In' felt there was a necessity for’it, then they must be prepared to help themselves in the matter. Mr Ward said that recently he went into the question of road and bridge grants for this year with the Resident Engineer at Hokitika, Mr Gillies intimated that a very limited sum could be granted for Westland. One of the works which could not he provided for this year was Waiho bridge, for whivh last year under vote s(>, item 2f>9s, Clot) was voted on account of Co,ooo. | In view of these circumstances the j question arose whether it should not la i a suggestion to the ratepayers to help I themselves by offering to contribute a substantial sum towards the cost of the work, providing the Government would agree to coinnicnoc tlio construction, say, within six or even twelve months’ time. It was understood that the estimated cost of a suspension bridge (the design agreed upon), is in the region ot £•(5,000. To induce the Government to take prompt action the Council might i agree contingent with the southern settlers falling in with the proposal to find say, £2,01)0. This would be equal to Ct for every £2 provided by the Government, and as the bridge is on a main road such a contribution seems to be a very equitable amount to offer. To provide the £2,000 as the work is in part one affecting the County as a whole, the County fund should contribute say half of the amount, and the remaining half to be found by the Southern Hiding by the addition of an ! amount to the ordinary rate to provide the quota. This course would be proferrnhle under all the - circumstances to raising the amount by loan. Under soc- , tion 121 of the Counties Act, general 1 rales are levied in Hidings separately . and provision is made for including in l ie rales the sum required in rospeei lof work in the particular Hiding. It is calculated that under the new valua- | tiou which it is Imped will be in force 1 tor the next rating year, a half-penny rate over the Southern Hiding will I produce in the region of L'1,0(1(1. thus ! providing the quoin suggested lor the bridge 1 1 oin 1 be R iding. Tiiis proposal would mean tberclore that L'l,lloo would be paid directly out of the County Eund, and a second L' 1,000 would be provided out oi extra j rate struck over the whole Hiding. 1 nI less some inducement is offered to the I Government to proceed speedily with ; the work, it seems inevitable flint the I Waiho bridge will remain “a long felt j want” Idr years to come. Mr AAard i submitted the proposals for the eon- | sidera I ion of flic peo’ilc ; Roth Mr Jeffries and Mr Chinn repre- ; smiting the Hiding supported the pn>- | I'.osal, and Mr Evans gave further particulars in regard to tie scheme. ' Messrs Cowan fOktiru). Gibb Bros.. I (Doherty's Creek), T. Condon (Tataiv), j and Graham and Schilling i Waiho) supported the proposal and said they felt sure they would meet with general approbation throughout the district. The Chairman thanked the meeting for the favorable inception ot the proposals. WATAROA MEETING. The County party rnrt a large number of settlers at Matainui on Saturday night, when Mr Ward and his colleagues addressed the assemblage on various matters, principally connected i with County works. I Mr Chinn introduced the County j Chairman, who, lie said wn.s most faI vonrably impressed w ith the cm ntry he (Mr Ward) bad passed through. Mr Chinn apologised also foi his colleague, Mr Ritchie detained at Hokitika. Mr Ward said the Coumdl ahvays took a keen interest in South Wesimnd 1 and their representatives at The Council table (lid everything possible to advance the interests of the district, 'lie district was now getting better known, and the wealth it was prodwing was forging if ahead. In ten years’ time they would see remarkable advancement m tin' south, for lie felt no part of New Zealand would relatively lie more prosperous Ilian South Westland They had in the past suffered fiom isolation. Railways, roads and bridges were overcoming that obstacle, and Air AVard wend on to speak of Knkapotahi bridge for which it was intended le hold a loan poll on September 22. 7 ' Chairman detailed the loan proposals explaining the scheme fully, and inviting questions in regard to anv aspect which they might not he clear on. Air Chinn said Bold Head joad had been always a burning question south. Jn Wataroa there was much agitation in the past and a keen feeling bad been shown. Tf the loan were carried as lie expected it to be that action would he the stepping stone to securing finally the convenience of Bold Head road. [Te referred to the particulars of the agreenjenl with Stum t and Chapman Ltd and detailed the advantages which would be derived by having facilities to send their stock to Canterbury markets. Tn the future the fat stork sales for the district would he at Knkapotahi Insea d of the Arahnra. Air Chinn dealt also with Hospital Board matters and management, lie paid a tribute to the conscientious workdone by members of the Hoard. Tie believed all permanent works in connection with the institutions should be done by loan money provided for the capital expenditure. Mr Jeffries traced the sucres of local sales in the south since March 1915 when the Ballvhooly sale took place They now had eight snleynrds in South AVestland and with the orerti.m of Knkapotahi bridge that locality at the rail end would become tbe centre for fat ns well as store stock. The bridge would he a lever to get the fold Head road complete, and once the railway was tapped the saving to Hie settlers in overland freights would he very marked. They would have live stock' cheese, butter wool, flax and other commodities to rail away and with transport facilities and the opportunity of railing to Canterbury in a few hours their land would advance 100 per cent per acre. Air Evans, County Clerk, also spoke in explanation of the details of the scheme, and gave a concrete example of the saving to he made in haulage rates once it was possible to load the exports on to the rails at KakapofiMti

Messrs T. Mcßride, Richardson, Jas. Mcßride, T. Chinn, and others asked questions on various aspects to which replies were given satisfactorily. <• Mr J. Mcßride spoke of the necessity of bridging Mcßride's Creek. Mr T. Alcßride on behalf ot the local Racing Club supported, stating the Club had spent £-100 to improve the racecourse and further improvements were contemplated. Better access was necessary for car traffic. Mr Richardson on behalf of the settlers and sawmillers of Loan Block also urged the work. . ,- , The Chairman said lie would ask Roadman Nolan to report as to the c ost at next Council meeting and enquired if any local contributions would be made. Mr Rioahrdson spoke of protection to the road approach to the l oan Blockbeing necessary, Mr Cliinn thought a deviation would meet the position, but •Mr Richardson explained there was no reserve available. The Chairman asked for a report from the Roadman. Air T Alcßride drew attention to Die necessity of levelling the gravel pit excavations along fjcally road, which with the erection of buildings now m progress would become the main thoroughfare of the. township. , Air Ward said the work would lie attended te. On the motion of Air T. Ab Br.de seconded by Air R. Adamson » vote ol thanks was accorded the County par - for attendance and information affoid°(lprinr to the public meeting the Chairman and party went over the roads of the district travelling sc-en mile, down Wataioa Elat to Rotokmo. Some small works brought under the notice of the Chairman wore authorised, and Hie value of some recent protectnn work done, was hisi>ected^ general reqetreaients. While travelling south, Die Conn \ nartv inspected the river damage at Drv Creek near Tetalio where valuebl land was being dslroved, and Tvotokino road was being endangered Ihe question was raised ns tn further protection. and the Chairman promised to uT 'resent the matter to the Public Works RK q i; rsTR \t Okarito, Air L. AVilson asked for an increase in regard to Hie maintenance of Three Affile ferry, <mt tbe Chairman could hold out no hope that an increase could lx> granted. Air Christiansen made a s'.atomont in regard to the Bluff tracks and representations in regard to tin- matter wore made also l>v Mr Met luggage ami Air Thomson. The Chairman asked Air Cliinn and Roadman Nolan to inspect the position prior to tlio Council meeting and rc]>ort. AH Thomson and another brought up the question of street repairs and drainage. The Chairman looked into tho matter and said the works would be authorised. The repairs to Canoe Point tramway were mentioned by Mr Paganini. and •I report on the work will he obtained. WAIHO WANTS. Air A. Graham spoke of the necessity of something being done with regard in Dm Waiho hot surintrs and with the tracks about the Glacier. The Chairman said he would write tlm Tourist Depart ment on the matte!. Otlmr local matters referring to mmi were mentioned, also repairs te. Gillcs- ' pie’s tunnel tra c k. The r 'h.virmnn promised to get a report in regard to the Air R Scott said AfeDoiiald’s Crock crossine was had. in. fact dangerous. Recently there was a very narrow 0 s cape. As it was a horse was lost. There was a bad turn to the ford, and the ford to the upper crossing at the Tata re also required attention. Specking <>[ bridges. Air Scott said the Miknnm bridge was the cheapest bridge erected 011 the Coast and lie urged Hint the Government should adopt, cheaper moth, ods of bridge construction, and if m a bridge could be erected at AbDonald’s creek for CAOO. Air Donovan referred to Poitiers Creek pyotoef ion and the Chairman asked Air Nolan to go into the matter next day. and on return from Wohekn the position would be looked into. Subsequently the work was nulhoiised, the settlors to contribute a quota. It was mentioned also that more .automobile signs and danger posts should bo erected along the main south road Doherty road anproaoh was msnerted and a line of 72 chains laid off to coat £] r,o. The Chairman asked the settlors couf'orned to carry out the work required according to specifications for a subsidy of £IOO. and to communicate their reply to the next Council meeting AVEIIEKA AH SIT. At AVelieka the County party visited Fox Glacier track which is in need of attention Representations are to be made to the Tourist Department. Abe ill respect of. Copeland track. The Wehekn settlers asked for assistance with regard to Conk’s river lord crossing for drays, and a giant of C 1 ■» was made to maintain the rivei approaches and Hag the south approach for a year. A vote was asked also >'or an inland road along the sea beach from Jacobs road to Maliii-nlit. The Chairman agreed to urge this very necessary expenditure. With Alt' Carroll the position regarding road drainage at Jacobs river was discussed and a report will bo made on the subject. When returning north the Big Wanganui ferry rescue was inspected and tlio Chairman promised the lessee to go into the rental question again after Hie alleged loss of area by flood damage bad been ascertained. At AVaitaha tbe Chairman sanctioned the attention to footbridges and other minor work's. Mr fUrmvbridßp, Government Drainage Engineer for AAestland, now stationed at Hari Tlari, waited on the Chairman, and explained various mat tors in regard to drainge works at T.a Fontaine. Later Air Strawbridgo will report on Miknnui and Kokatnhi swamp lands. Hokitika will be his headquarters and lie will reside here.