Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 25 July 1922, Page 2

The news conveyed yesterday as to the acceptance of a contract for Wnitangi bridge will give general satisfaction up and down the district. The Minister of Public Works has been as good as his word in this matter, and Mr Coates’ action in the matter will he greatly appreciated. There is considerable, expenditure involved in tile bridging of the Wnitangi river, as apart from the main structure, lengthy approaches will require to be made on both sides. The work will take some time, but once in hand there will he the assurance that a few months will see the work completed, and the last of the 1 urge rivers on the main road to Waiho Goree bridged. The bridging of the Little Waitaha river has proved a great boon to traffic, The bridging of the Little Wanganui is now being pushed ahead, hut further delay in completion was occasioned by the last, flood. The structure should he out of hand as far as the crossing of the main stream is concerned by September, and that convenience "ill be a great boon to motor traffic south. Motor traffic is now the principal means of transport, which renders the bridging of the Wnitangi river the more urgent. The bridge crossing should he available earlv in the new year, lmt in any ease with the contractor established adjacent to. the river ford, the proposal to secure a reliable horse ferry at easy call at a reasonable charge should now be practicable, and will Ire a boon to motor traffic during the coming season, when there is likely to lie a great increase in the volume of motor traffic to and from the Glacier region, rapidly becoming a very popular tourist resort for t.ie waole Dominion.

It is good to learn that the progress with the Otira tunnel works i s so satisfactory. I lie 'particularly fine winter has been a great help in the advancement of the works, and during the last month or so a good snow has been made with the outside works. There are hopes that the Minister's estimate for an opening in February will lie anticipated by some weeks: If the English material comes to hand in good time the earlier opening of the line will he possible. Small trucks of goods and materials for the works are now passing through the tunnel, so that the transition to greater loading will come quickly. There is quite u township. grow ing up at Otira surrounding the site for the new railway station. When completed there will he over fifty residences for railway employees, and numerous other buildings are to ho erected. 1 lie power station is being hurried to completion and is an impressive structure. Two large dams or ifsemini's are being erected above the station for water-supply purposes, and generally there are very complete preparations well-in-hand for the thorough operation of the line at the earliest possible moment.