The Hokitika Guardian WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31st, 1921.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 August 1921, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31st, 1921.

Plain.Ks AM) .MOHJi JjiaDGKS Tin: la to visit, of the Comity Chairman and party to Booth Westland tad the report ol the various matters dealt null, suggest that bridges iind more bridges, are the essential requirement still of the southern district. Yesterday a reference was made to the ivokapotalii bridge, a structure in regard to which the ratepayers are invited to help themselves. It is a bridge long needed, ami the settlers will show a healthy spirit of self-reliance il they help themselves in this matter. That question is to be decided in some three weeks’ tinte at the ballot box. Another very important bridge proposition was mentioned aim. in the south. Wo refer to the Wailio (lorge bridge. In regard to this the scheme involves a further measure of self-reliance. The Government has had the construction of this bridge in mind over a long term of years. Nearly a decade must have gone by since a very costly road approach from the north was made to the bridge site. A year or so ago the Hon Coates held out. some hope of the bridge being taken in hand. Plans were prepared, the design was approved, and a preliminary vote wa taken on account in Parlia ment. Now has come the financial dump, and the serious shortening of uiblic works expenditure. It appears .he Waiho bridge is included in the ategory of works indefinitely postpon-1 >d for the lack of funds. T|t is in these •ireumstances that Mr Ward and his ■olleagues when south, put before the osidents directly concerned, the d'tine of a scheme to help forward the fork. In effect the proposal is to offer he Government a substantial sum ns n inducement to tykei up the work at

once—and not delay it indeiiiintoly. Tin's should impress the Government with the urgency of the work and the bona idles of the people when they come forward voluntarily with such a strong financial proposal. The idea is io cider £‘2,000 to the Government dn the part of the local body, if within the (next six months or so the construction of the work will he undertaken. The suggestion is that one half of the amount should he contributed out of the County Fund Account, and the other half lie provided out of an extra rate' added to the riding rate account for the year. 'Phis is a rerdy ai;id practical way of finding fho Council’s quota equal to finding £1 for every £2 found by the Government up to a totnl expenditure of £6OOO. As the bridge is one of the arterial roads of tile Dominion, the offer should be attractive enough for the Government to seize upon. With this bridge erected, the last of the large .bridges required on the main south road for the immediate future (other than bridges already contemplated and partly provided for) will he dealt with. Th<> inserened measure of convenience to the settlers and the public in general traffic will Ixi of very great moment. It will assure personal safety and security of prosperity, atid will be a practical form of boon to the far south. The erection cf Waiho bridge would he a step forward in the right direction, and seeing that a way is made plain and the means are possible, the work should not be delayed. This a,ml similar bridges have long been an urgent requirement for tlie south. The pioneer settlers needed them. Their sons of the second generation need them more, and more for the flocks are increasing and traffic is growing. It is imperative therefore if the country is to be opened up and developed effectually, bridges must be provided and the Waiho bridge stands out as one of the great requirements of the times.