The Hokitika Guardian FRIDAY, DEC. 15th, 1922. AN UNEXPECTED PRESENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 December 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian FRIDAY, DEC. 15th, 1922. AN UNEXPECTED PRESENT.

Approaciiincs as wo are the festal season, the time for Christmas boxes is at hand, hut it is doubtful if the members of the Westland County Council and the ratepayers of that district., will be prepared to accept the tuo gifts the Government has handed to the Council this week. The first was referred to yesterday, though it can ho hardly called a. gift seeing that something was taken away. That referred to the royalties revenue from State forests which the Government is quietly appropriating to its own uses. The other matter was the rather unexpected present of some In miles of main arterial highway running from Kumara Junction by way of Kumara, Hokitika and Kanieri fo lloss. The request to the Council to take up the maintenance of this Toad forthwith will be a very unpleasant surprise to the Council and it is not surprising that Mr Jeffries, County Chairman, in telegraphing to the Minister of Public Works on the matter, should remark, that he is “astounded” at tbo action of the Government. When lie was here a bare fortnight "ftp Massey n't

the Princess Theatre plumed himself that his Government was the best government the district had cvei had! Mr Massey could hardly work of that statement to-day on an audience of [County ratepayers without arousing a hostile demonstration. The Reform ! Government has a reputation for doling some fearful and wonderful things in'tlic matter of administration, and this latest action which so directly affects the County of Westland is ■> case in point. Mr Massey’* fortnight old declaration here was of course, to hoodwink the people, and win votes for the Reform candidate. Perhaps the sugar-coated sentence did win over some votes from the Liberal candidate, £ „„P to that extent Mr Massey and ns nivrmidons here bent on winning votes with am- sort of irresponsible statement. would lie gratified. The foolish ones who were led astray by such tactics are better informed on that point to-dnv. and Mr Massey’s cheap declarations' would hardly go down now even with those who perhaps have some sneaking regard for the conservative policy. However, that is another story. For the time being the ratepayers of Westland County are “up against it the prime Christmas box to the district from the “best Government” Westland ever had. The County Chairman was very prompt sending his protest and his request for more time for the Council to consider the matter, was a fair one. If there is any regard for equitable action, the time for the taking over of the roads and bridges v ill be deferred. As lias been pointed out, the Minister of Public Works prepared his road maintenance estimates up to March 31, and no doubt full provision "as made for the section of road in question. In fact, outside of the maintenance. £I,OOO was provided on the general estimates for three bridges on the Tlokitika-Boss road, thus indicating some consideration at least for the full year. The County Council estimates for the financial year did not provide for the road to he handed over, so that the local finance will he seriously disturbed if the fresh liability proposed has to he taken over at once. There are several bridges involved along the line of route which will call for a very large expenditure to meet the responsibilities to he thrust on the Council. The Kauieri bridge alone vill he a heavy charge for the local body to face and it becomes at once a question whether the Council should not ask for a Commission to distribute the liability affecting this and other bridges along the route over adjacent local bodies whose inhabitants make free use of tho bridges. When it is borne in mind that the ratepayers of the Westland County have to contribute towards the Now River Bridge in the Grey County, it seems hut equitable that tho whole burden of maintenance for the large bridges along tile main highway ‘should not now fall sololv upon the ratepayers of Westland. If the Government propose to “pass on” these responsibilities, the County Council will he forced to act similarly. It is well known of course that the main road is in a sadly worn condition, and that all the principal bridges are in a had way, both loading and speed in crossing being reduced to a minimum. The Government is handing over very ill-kept roads, and doing so at n time when it is dcrivng large sums from a tyre tax. and a contemplated large income from special taxation for high-way maintenance. The section of road now being dealt with is certainly one of tho main highways of tho Dominion. Tt is a road largely used for the transport of timber from State forests, the revenue from which tlie Government also appropriates. Tt would appear from every point of view that actually tho Public Works Department is attempting an iniquitous course, and the County Council will he well justified in making the strongest, objection against being saddled with a liability while tho Government quietly appropriates, the revenue and uses the money elsewhere.