The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15th, 1926. ON GETTING THINGS DONE.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 February 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15th, 1926. ON GETTING THINGS DONE.

Tiik.sk are ilu* (lays for getting tilings done if progress i.s to lie recorded. It is not a time for standing .still. When the general elections were on a little time ago, New Zealand voted very wiiole-heurtcdl.v for the man “who got things done.” Perhaps it is not an enviable reputation, for having started out on that heat, a public man has to keep moving. But it is hotter to wear out than rust out. and this conclusion has probably struck the local Progress l.cngne, which in putting forward a proposal to got the bridges required! on the main south road, elected in double quick time. Much ink has been spilt in dilating oil the beauties of the south and the necessity for making the most of that aset in attracting k here. Much oratory has been expended in expatiating on the urgency of bridging the obnoxious rivers and clamouring for the Government to perform the work. How much profanity has been excited by the troubles and trials of folk held up or caught by the streams, it is not possible to say, but il can l.e glossed tit--it mtisl have lieen enormous. These facts lead us to the conclusion that the bridges cannot be provided too quickly. But how? It i.s at this juncture that the Progress League speaks up, and utters tne obvious remark that we should help ourselves. Self help is usually the best help—in that it. is the most

prompt and direct, and therefore of the most value. Briefly, the proposal of the League is to get the bridges erected quickly by offering a twentyfive per cent, subsidy on the estimated cost of £IO.OOO said to be required for bridges at Dry, .McCullough. McDonald and Slatev Creeks. In the ordinary course, waiting for a I..align Department to perform its obvious work in the matter, it will take not less than five or six years to build the bridges. The Progress League suggests that if the bridges are provided within two years, the district should find a quarter of the cost, or say £2.-500 in cash. Time i.s the essence of the contract in this matter. The sooner the bridges arc provided the quicker will the southern trip and South Westland come into their own. The experience this season by the frequent blocks on the road, and the numerous accidents met with by.visiting motorists has put back the clock of progress for the south. It lias developed an levil reputation. That must needs be removed. All the expense incurred for advertising and boosting the district will go for very little while there is the menace of the dangerous creek crossings there to block and hamper traffic. A safe and sure run through to the Wniho Gorge in

any and all weathers is the best advertisement the South can have, and the provision of the bridges will supply that indispensible medium. As to ways and means, it is proposed that the local bodies should provide £2,000 by loan and £SOO to be raised by contributions from garage and motor owners and hotel proprietors. Of the local bodies, it is suggested the County of Westland should find £1.500 and the Hokitika Borough £SOO. A period of fifteen years is suggested for the loans, and at six per cent. interest, and repaying £IOO a year it would cost the County of Westland £l4B per annum to liquidate the loan in the period stipulated. In the case of the Borough of Hokitika, for the smaller principal sum, the cost would be one-

third, or £-19 Cs 8d per annum. These are not burdensome payments pressing heavily on the ratepayers. The spread of tho period covers the future as well as the present, so that there is an equitable adjustment for those deriving a benefit from the bridges. The proposal seems to be a ready means of getting a very urgent job or series of jobs done. It is for the local bodies and the public to say now if they will co-operate in this simple scheme to assure the speedy realisation "of hopes and expectations in regard to the much, desired bridges.