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Hokitika Guardian, 1 July 1925, Page 2

South AYostland is receiving a measure of attention now in the matter of bridges. But the authorities are still slow in assembling the material for the commencement of the bridge across the AVnilio river. When th vote was granted for the bridge over a year ago hopes ran high that in a few mouthy work would be under way. Blit so far only a few sticks of timber have been delivered a fraction of the material necessary for so notable a work. There are reports that material from England will be arriving .soon now for tbe bridge, but it must ol necessity be some weeks yet before work is in band. 'I lie bridge is so urgently !v required, and was so definitely promised. that its construction is looked for with the greatest interest. Another considerable work on the south road, long promised and ns long delayed. is the Wataroa deviation. Year after year a vote has lieeu taken tor the work, to the exclusion of other works on the road, and nothing has been done yet I'evond the survey. In connection with the revoting ot moneys harm is done the district, by allocating large votes and not spending the monev within tbe. liiiiancial year. "When estimates are compiled they are measured in the aggregate by a quota f,,r the district. Those larger votes form a substantial part of the quota, ami if it is not. possible to proceed with them from one cause or another, the money is lost to the district for the year, for in the following year the revoteil amounts again count in flic new quota. AA here a vote has to he rovolod year after year, the district is very unfairly penalised, and parliameutarv votes as published give a verv false impression as to the sum which actually is expended in a district for a year. There was the suggestion put forward at one time, that instead of providing for the works in detail, an aggregate sum be voted. and i)ic works Ik* proceeded with in order of urgency as local circumstances permitted. That procedure would save tbe necessity of continually revoting money for a work it is not possible to proceed with immediately, ami at the same time give the authorities a freer hand to undertake works found to be id useful importance which might arise suddenly during the financial year as occurs so often. It this rearrangement of annual votes could hi' brought aliout, South AAestlaml would the quicker- enjoy the bridges it is now waiting for. and which are so necessary for the hotter communication ot traffic within the district.