The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20th, 1926. FOR URGENT ATTENTION.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 January 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20th, 1926. FOR URGENT ATTENTION.

I Tub question of bridging tlie smaller streams on the main south road is a 1 matter for very urgent attention if the tourist traffic is to be maintained throughout South Wesland. The present season lias lieen unduly wet, and small Hoods have been all ton frequent. It ,is just the small Hoods which are causing the difficulties for motor traffic. The matter was mentioned at the meeting of the Automobile Asosciation last night, and no doubt it will form ono of the principal matters to ho brought before the Highways Board expected here on Tuesday next. From the remarks made to local body gatherings in Canterbury over the week-end, the Highways Board has a sulplus of money in hand at present due to the extraorddinary importation of motor vehicles. The plain advice of the heads of the Board to the deputations received, was to apply without delay for what was required to improve tlie roads. If the money is not all exhausted by the time the Board members reach Westland next week, probably tlie same advice will he tendered here. Meantime, therefore, all concerned might get busy to prepare a list of requirements which will indicate to the visiting officials that the requirements of Westland arc far from satisfied in the matter of urgent needs. The bridging of the South Westland streams lias been on the tapis for a considerable period. "Votes have appeared on estimates. hut disappeared again, the official explanation being that the money was transferred to more urgent road work. The experience in tlie past two or three months has been such that in the interests of the district there should lie no further dilatory delay about the building of the bridges. Tlie need for the bridges calls for a definite policy in respect to the matter whereby the works will go on .systematically so that in the not distant future all the troublesome crossings will he a tiling of the past. In this respect tlie West Coast lias suffered more than

any other part of Now Zealand. Years ago all the troublesome crossings on the East Coast were bridged for tlie convenience of motorists, and those who went from here and travelled over tffie better served roads could onlv marvel at the good fortune of Fast Coast residents. On the main south road very little new work has been attempted of late. Some bridges which fell into decay have lieen renewed, but

no new bridges have lieen undertaken since the bridging of the Wnitangi. I here is a deviation to be made at the \t ataroa due mainly to flood damage, and this work will include the bridging of Parker’s creek. But something more comprehensive than that must fc ! **P«*ed. At nil events the needs of the istrict an the matter of bridges should he set out. and full representations made to the Board. With the liberal store of funds available, and after an inspection of the route which ns to be made, the members, we hope, «i arrive at a not ungenerous decision in record to the bridges required. One aspect of the south road which “ 7 ry is the generallv good condition of the road That speaks well for the system of ■maintenance. But having done so we 1 in ~ hat department, we trust the l

authorities will turn to the matter of construction, and set about dealing with urgent bridge requirements. Tho visit of the Board, will, at all events, indicate the attitude of members towards the bridges question, and failing satisfaction in that quarter, no doubt an appeal may he made to the Minister in charge and Parliament.