WESTLAND ELECTORATE

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1930, Page 2

WESTLAND ELECTORATE

aiinisterial replies,

% Mr J - O’Brien, ALP., has received the following replies to deputation.-, i; introduced byAiim to the Hon. W. A. %. Mines,, when he 'L was v in 'Westlarrfl last February;

a-' .Access to Middle Bush Property:Hear Sir,—-I have'- to advise that the Mr .Veitch informed me of- the >.-• representations* 2 ' concerning the question of road access to Middle Bush, which were math: to him by Mr J. Gibb, whom you- introduced at Waiho on the|2fid. 'Pebthary last, ’and, as a result, myestightions have Been- made by my department’s District •-Engineer at: ,? .Gj;.eymouth. I. understand that the Middle Bush property consists of an island or a series of . isinncls included between, the right and lelt ' branches of the Waiho - Diver in its lower reaches. The access originally was via the bed of the Waiho Stiver, but two years ago a large flood threw the river against a cliff, opposite to Section 2403, and wiped out part of the old trail which had had been used for many years. The estimated cost of reinstating the horse track at this point is approximately £IOO, As an alternative the possibility of constructing a horse track further hack from the river over a fairly high ridge was looked ; into, hut it was found that this proposal would l>e much' too costly. It appears, however, that the settlers in this locality are deserving of some assistance, but I do not think the Government would lie justified in financing the full cost of the work. I have given the matter careful consideration, and T am of the opinion that a fair basis of assistance hv the Government would he £2. for £1 on the estimated cost of £IOO. I would suggest, therefore, that the County Council should include an item for Ibis work on its applications in connection with the forthcoming Esti-

mates, and, in, the eventi of this being done, the question, of a Government subsidy will receive further consideration.—Yours faithfully, E. A. Ransom, Minister of Public Works.

Small Bridges, between Glacier Hostel and Fox Glacier:—Dear Sir,—l have to advise that my colleague, the Bon. Minister of Mines, informed me of the representations concerning the bridging of two or three small creeks between the Glacier Hostel and Fox Glacier, which were made to him at Weheka on Ist February last by the deputation of interested settlers introduced by you, and as a result the -matter has Been enquired into. A preliminary investigation and survey ivas made of a bridge site over the largest creek near the Glacier. Tins stream, though normally of small dimensions; is .apparently subject to heavy floods, and where the Glacier Track crosses has a f airly wide bed. The mast suitable ibridge site is two and a half chains upstream from the present ford, and to erect a suitable structure at this site would cost approximately flip!). The track from the Main South Road near AVelmka to the Fox River Suspension Bridge has been cut up with material transport t to the latter, whilst the sniggiug of the material for the Chancellor llidge Hut has necessitated repairs to tlie one and three-quarter miles of track between the Fox River suspension bridge and the Glacier. It i,s estimated that a further sum of approximately £loo will he required to cover the cost of reconstructing portions of this track and erecting the other small bridges mentioned by the deputation. These items are chiefly of interest to tourists, and for that reason, the matter was referred to the Department of Tourist aid Health Resorts for its consideration, with a view to giving the question of providing Government funds, to cover the-' cost of flic- work cousideraf ion on .(lie forthcoming Estimates. I am now informed that the General Manager of the Department of Tourist and IToalth Resorts recently visited Die district and discussed the matter fully with* my Department’s District Engineer. The question of moving a portion of a hut to the foot of the Glacier for a shelter shod was also

discussed, and it was decided that it would ba necessary for a further inspection to be made in order to obtain some additional particulars. The General Manager arranged for this to be done, and immediately tlie report. comes to hand tlie whole’question will then, receive further consideration in order that the matter of providing a Government grant may be dealt with when tlie Estimates are under review.—Yours faithfully, E. 'A. Ransom, Minister of Public Works.