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Hokitika Guardian, 23 April 1928, Page 2

In the course of the interview on Saturday night between the Highways Board and the County Council, when the question of widening the South road came up, .Air Jll.ll put it to the representatives as to which was the more important—road widening, or the completion of the bridge's. The funds are limited and restricted to a certain sum per year, and it is a question bow that earmarked money should be spent. Put in that way. the completion of the bridges becomes paramount, and it is to bo hoped billowing the visit of the Highways Board south, the little list of bridges still required on the main south road, will he listed for completion at least within the next two years. The progress made of late years in regard to bridges on the south road has not been unsatisfactory. But there is-always the feeling that more might he done. We know of course that the main highway on the Fast Goad from Picton In the Blntf has every stream and water course bridged. For many years that route has been a motorists’ paradise so far as bridges art' concerned, and there has been the feeling all along that in regard to bridges on the south run. Westland has been left out of the nil I lire. We take it fr-.rn what was said on Saturday night that the special need of the southern di trief ns to bridges and more bridges, is fully realised and that it is the intention of the Board I 1 see thee urgently required and neci-sary bridges provided as quickly as ]:• •• -i 1 1 1. Fiifortunatcly just at this juncture when the demand for bridges appears to be s'i favourably received, the southern district lias encountered a severe Hood visitation, with the rest 1 11 that ninth extraordinary expense will have to he faced to restore conditions to norma]. Some thousands of pounds will have to he provided for road and bridge repairs, and if that visitation could have been soared the money now to lie found so hurriedly might have met

t In 1 major pari ion of the demands for new bridges. However, the members r.f the Board are now conversant fully with local conditions. S’: ► much has been done elsewhere, too. that something mure might he spared for this district at this juncture. With the provision of the bridges required a great service will he done Westland, and the Board appears disposed t«> piAtform this sc.rv'ice as quickly a.s oinuimsta Hoes will permit.