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Hokitika Guardian, 16 February 1926, Page 2

As a means to an end the proposal to assist with the substantial subsidy towards the erection of the bridges urgently required on the main south road has much to commend it. It is the best indication of all of the real urgency of the case, when loea,l opinion is backed in such a practical way. r lli2 offer if carried into effect is substantial enough to arrest the attention of the authorities, and to lead them to say that assistance of ibis kind is not to ho turned down. The request to carry out the works within two years is nut unreasonable. It does not overstrain the quota for tlie district year by year, and with proper concentration and organisation, it. will he more economical to carry through the works on a. system of quick time, than proceeding leisurely year hv year till the job is through. The bridge sites arc not far distant apart, so that by a proper organisation of the plant, a. material saving in the total cost will be made if the works arc disposed of in regular sequence, saving a duplication of transport charges and unnecessary travelling. The offer will indicate if made, an earnestness on the part of the people, which is hardly to be denied, and should carry the fullest weight with the powers that ho who have the final approval in these particular matters.

In- connection with the proposal to arrange a visit of scholars to the Dunedin Exhibition, it should be possible yet to receive a Government .subsidy, in which case the fare might be cut down to half or a substantial reduction made in the accommodation bill. As far as (lie arrangements have gone, the support from the Government is not very adequate. At one stage the Government bad promised to do something, but when Sir .Tames Parr. Minister of Education, was dealing with the matter, bis ueplv was of a negative character. Still, there is a filial appeal to Cabinet in the matter, and it is hoped .something (yet. will be dene. In Canterbury a. movement is being made for representations from Members of Parliament to .Ministers, and probably 'Westland will < n-opernto. Help in the direction suggested is a form of assitanco to the Exhibition movement calculated to afford the most useful results. The educational side of the trip will be of great value. It will have been seen from life- arrangement.- being made in Chi i dchureh that the trip will lie carried out on thorough lines. Strict discipline is to be enforced, and the round of the Exhibition is to be made on essentially educational lines. The project deserves all the support it can receive, liotli from tlia Government and the public.