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Hokitika Guardian, 15 April 1926, Page 2

It is to he regretted that the local proposal put forward for hastening the bridging of the rivers on the Main South Hoad has fallen through. The scheme was built up on the local bodies co-operating to line! a sum of money as an inducement lo tile Government to proceed vigorously with the work. The help exported from the Hokitika Borough Council is not forthcoming, land as a. consequence the Westland County Council lias withdrawn. 'lbis is to ho regretted—it means another opportunity lost ol' the people helping themselves to forge the district ahead. It is rather unfortunate the Borough Council did not agree to take a. poll on the matter, that is all that was asked at this stage. If the. Council had the sanction of the ratepayers all that would he required was £SO a year. For that expenditure over some fifteen years Hokitika, would become more than ever the tourist centre of the Coast. Such a distinction would be of great, advantage to business lociilly. All classes would participate in the local benefit because of the intertrading to result from the increased volume of traffic. The town would derive benefit also ias a. centre not afraid to help itself, and this enterprise would bring its return in substance later. The County Council apparently was not disposed to proceed alone, hut we hope something will yet be done to speed up the erection of the bridges. The County Council at least, is to find £750 this year to speed tip the erection of three small bridges, which will establish motor connection in all weathers between Hokitika and llarihari—that at least is something. It, is in fact no mean enterprise, 'and having gone that far, in the interests of settlement and the general pros pel - ity of the district, a modified scheme might be propounded to help with the ■larger bridges on the route south of llarihari which are so essential to the public wud. Two bridges at leastare urgently needed between Ilarihari and AVatnroa, namely Dry Creek and McCullough Creek. If ways and means can he found to induce the Government to sliced up the bridging of those crossings a valuable contribution lo Hie progress of the district will be made.

The County Council, in committee has been studying «>iys and means to reorganise the road .staff. I lie present Council is just finishing its three years term, and evidently if is lelt something requires in be done regarding road administration. There does not. appear to be any .scandal in tin* air. but the members perhaps are faking steps to nip in the hud, as it were, any trouble which might he rearing its head—just as a. possibility. The County Council nud its employees over a long term of years have been rather a happy family. Time was when the troubles of the Council were real and definite. But those difficult days were so long cigo that they havu passeil out of memory almost. There must be the. feeling, however that some stiffening is needed, for the Council in Committee carried a series of resolutions, the upshot of which must be closer and more rigorous supervision. I here is the possibility always of slackness drifting in, and it is essential where there is a large staff and a considerable outgoing, that there should he no laxity in the administration.' In the present instance, while there is little of a coifcrete nature, there is at least the suggestion thi.it something is amiss. A the same time the general condition of the roads shows consistent, attention on the part of the employees, for it, is customary to hear praise rather than blame as to tbe state of the highways. However, seeing that the Council lias raised something of a smoke screen we may take it there is at least some lire, and a check in time should lie of service for the future. The Council of late lias been -Hiding to its j'ond pant., and tho wider use of this should reduce the volume of manual labor employed. Machinery will cover me ground quicker, ami may lie kept more constantly in motion. Properly directed excellentresults are obtainable from the use of road machinery, and we take it, it is the desire to attain that goal. The Council has in good record in Hie past as to its administration and has been able to carry on under a system of rating which ranks low when compared with Councils administering similar territory. The further prcmutlons being taken now indicate that the Comiel is as alert as ever, and that the members are out to do the host they can for the ratepayers as u whole, which is all very praiseworthy.