THE WESTLAND COUNTY DEPUTATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 February 1924, Page 3

THE WESTLAND COUNTY DEPUTATION.

WELLINGTON, Feb. 27. This morning a deputation from tho Wostland County Council, consisting of the Hon „). Grimmond and T. W. Duff, was introduced, to the Minister of Public Works (Hon J. G. Coates) ky Mr J. O’Brien, M.P. The deputation laid before the Minister the state of the bridges between Kumartt and the Waiho, which they held were very rotten, and liable to collapse any minute : ab-o the necessity of the early starting of the erection of the Waiho Bridge, and the completion of the Waikukupa Bridge. The deputation stressed the need of rebuilding the Kakapotalii Bridge, which was washed away by recent Hoods. This bridge was built in the first- place by the settlors:, by means ■of a special loan. The bridge is now

wash -,I away and the settlers have to pay for tilings they require to transport.

The deputation also asked that loading an 1 unloading facilities lor handling cargo at the Flower Pot at Bruce Bay be. improved, and that the following roads be gone on with : Rn hardsjui’s Roaß, Wataroa deviation. Petersen’s Road, Kokatohi.Bridge Kuimo'a Junction, to Kapitea Road, Lo Fontaine Road, Little Wanganui track, Arthur’s Pass Road, Bruce Bay Road. Fox Glacier Track: llaast Pass Track and Turnlmll River Road. The "Minister mentioned that most of the bridges mentioned between Kumara and Ross would he taken over by the Main Roads’ Board from April Ist. next. In the meantime, he would have reports made as to whether the bridges could he repaired. In the matter of the Kakapotalii Bridge, he was not sympathetic, as the settlers had been offered their choice of a bridge, over tho Little Waitaha on the main road, or one over the river, and the completion of the Bold Head Road, and they had chosen the main road. He would like the deputation lo discuss the. matter with the engineer. He would stand to what he said previously about the Waiho Bridge, but lie could not guarantee that the £3OOO on tile Estimates would In- spent this war. Perhaps more than that amount would lie needed. The roads asked for by the deputation would he gone on with, as the money liecame available. The Wh tar,in deviation would be gone on w ith at once. "I lie surveys were new being made. Hon Mr Gi'immoiul and Mr O'Brien called the Minister’s attention to several requests of the Ross Borough Cuunclk