The Guradian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY, MAY 7th, 1923. COUNTY MATTERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 May 1923, Page 2

The Guradian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY, MAY 7th, 1923. COUNTY MATTERS.

The County elections are fixed lor Wednesday. Tile candidates are on the w ing, and there is the promise of keen contests in the three Ridings. To-night some of the candidates will lie “on the stump”, which suggests that these public meetings are an excellent method of arousing interest in local body proceedings. In the late municipal contest here, the fact that several speakers took the platform, arid ventilated their views, drew a large attendance, and interest in municipal affairs was stimulated greatly thereby. So with tho County proceedings, no doubt, the views of the candidates will he canvassed with much interest, and the several meetings are sure to bo well attended. With regard to County matters, thero is no doubt a policy of steady road improvement will find favor with the ratepayers. As was mentioned tho other day, hotter roads are tho chief need of the times. There is so much advance in mechanical means of transport, that good, sound roads are essential. Everybody is concerned in matters of transport, for the freight charges help to govern the cost of living. Modern methods of road upkeep, discard tho wheelbarrow, and even the horse and dray. It is now matter of machinery, and without suitable machinery there cannot he a satisfactory system of read maintenance. The Council made a good start when it procured a motor lorry, but .tin’s went on tv a third of the way. In addition, a stone crushing plant is required, and in particular a road roller. In the adjoining County a road roller is being used to excellent effect, and it can be only a matter of time before Westland lias its machine. Such being the case, the American mdtto'olj 4 'doing:it now” might be adopted, and the Council should set about procuring the plant as soon as possible. At the last general election the ratepayers turned down loan proposals affecting a road maintenance plant. The experience since has probably caused reason to regret tho action. At all events the new Council, whoever may he at the table, should take the matter up, and if the finances will hear the burden, set about procuring a plant which will be of economic service to the local body. Next to the roads, indeed, part and parcel of the roads, are the bridges. The Council has one cr two expensive legacies in the matter of bridges. The Kokatahi bridge originally constructed by the government of poor material, has been a very expensive proposition to the County Council. This bridge has lieen under repair, infor years. Now the Kanieri bridge, and many smaller bridges on tho Ross road, are thrown on the Council. No doubt the Council will receive a certain amount of Government aid in the repair work which has to he faced, but there must be a drain on the funds of the Council. Unfortunately it- is all a matter of renewal work. If permanent, concrete bridges could be erected it would ho much to the point, but apparently for the time being, concrete can Ire used only in respect to culverts and road cross drains. There is a call for all the permanent work that is possible, and tho new Council should see to it, that where such is practicable financially, the work will be done in concrete and made a lasting job. The ratepayers will have these matters in mind when casting their votes on Wednesday next,

and in the meantime should closely question the candidates ns to their attitude regarding the manner and method of carrying on works in the districts.