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Hokitika Guardian, 21 June 1922, Page 2

The Borough Council has moved slowly blit surely at last iti the initial step to secure a municipal loan. The discussion at the Council tabic was quite a friendly one, indicating that councillors ate alive to the position, and the necessity for action. The Council lias affirmed tlie principle of appealing to the ratepayers for authority Co raise £5,000 for municipal Works—that is as far as Friday's resolution carried tlie project. A sub-committee is set up to draw up a schedule of permanent works Tor which the amount named will be earmarked. Tuer<> is the disposition to attend mainly to drainage matters—that is surface drainage. It is to lie hoped the need for street improvement will not lie overlooked, and that necessary footpaths, including kerhing and channelling in permanent material will be scheduled also. The improved appearance of sonic of the 'thoroughfares is certainly required, and with the sum at disposal an nmoiitil should lie set aside lor that purpose. Moderate liorl'owing for municipal works is, in principle, sound finance. The town is common property, and the use of its conveniences are for tile public fdr all time. I’crnianeiit works which will he of lasting effect should not be done, solely out of current revenue for those who come alter should be prepared to hear their share of th<> outlay. Under a loan system the repayment of the principal is spread over a number if years,, and in that way succeeding generations share in the cost. In a town such as this where so mticli has been done out of revenue, it is not at all unreasonable to raise a loan at this period for pressing works of general public utility.

The news that the bit-tie Waitaha bridge is now being made available for motor car traffic will he very pleasant information. The work has been advanced very rapidly of late, and the Public Works Department is to be congratulated on the acceleration of the construction of the approaches during the past month. Tile expedition will be. appreciated all round, and in particular by the travelling public. The new route will lie available none tco soon, as the ford at the weir is both rough and deep, despite the div wrathp". Indeed a ford below the weir would be more ensilv negotiated now if' the way were cleared <>f the large 1, --Ho’-s abounding in the river lied. Ti e bridging of the Little Waitaha river was a long-standing requirement. It might l ave been done some years ago, hut for the differences of opinion about the site. While there were those who wanted a light bridge thrown acoss tho river seme years ago to meet tho increasing volume of traffic, there were those who wanted the bridge placed at Kakapotalvi crossing to give direct access to Bold Head road. By a happy combination of circumstances, both wishes are being me? simultaneously now, as the TCakapotalii bridge is erected and is being used in emergency for crossing the river. But the delay might easily have been avoided if the two conflicting parties had been more reasonable, ftwi recognised tbnt- ft bird in the the hand we belter thflß two

in the bush. Both have come out of tlie bush together, hut it has been a protracted wait, and the fine new bridge at Little Wnitaha now about ready for regular traffic might have been realised some years ago if circumstances had been otherwise. But better late than never, and certainly now the bridge is most urgently required to meet the increasing volume of traffic hurrying up and down the main south road.