IN WESTLAND

Hokitika Guardian, 19 August 1933, Page 2

IN WESTLAND

MINISTERIAL REPLIES..

Public Works has forwarded the following ,'replies to Mr J. O’Brien, DI.P.

ROAD TO GILLESPIE’S REACH,

Dear Sir.—On my return to Welling' ton I called for a report on the questioa of access to the Gillespie’g. Beach. Gold Dike represented to me, you will remember, by a deputation from the Westland County Council, introduced by you a t Hokitika on the 28th’ June last.

This report is now to hand and have taken a.n opportunity to look into the matter to se© if anything could be done to improve the accesg to the Ijocality. 'From my Department's point of view it does not appear that the construction of the. road would be of lany great .advantage in eo far as the development of farm land is concerned, but at the same time iit is recognised that at some future date the road will be constructed to give access to another of Westland’s scenic gems.

In these days of limited finance, however, money which. 1 1 have available, in my ©pinion, could he better devoted to the construction of roads which will help to alleviate the left of those farmers who are engaged in our primary industries. I realise, of course 1 , that what .the Company wants ig a road which will give iit relief ,at an early date, but I regret that I am unable 4 to allocate any of the funds at my dispose! for this purpose.

I would suggest, however, that to the extent to which additional lao.buy is involved in the construction of this .road, as apart from the fixed normal activities, it . would probably be reasonable enough for the Company to seek assistance from the Unemployment 80-’ird. I note that an unsuccessful attempt has already been made by the Company to obtain assistance from the Board, but probably if if were, t© supply to the Board particulars of its; expenditure ■on wages to date and the retur.n s by way of sale of gold won, the Board may now be prepared to reconsider its application. I would suggest that it as least try out such a course.

L.A FOXTAINE BOA I) EXTENSION. DiUr Sir.—Xo doubt y©u will remember the representations made to me at Hokitika. >bv the deputation from the Westland County Council in remand 'to the extension of La Fontaine Hoad for a further distance of 11.0 chains and ib* re-open ; ng of drams at a cost o f "bout ft.ooo under similar catnn conditions to those adopted for the W'-iitnha South B’nk Hoad. On my return ; to Wellington, iT called for a report on the matter and T have to aflv'sc that full details of the proposal are now to hand in the form of a report from the T)is-V-nt !En«irme-r r>t Greymouth. This report I have carefully perused, and I propose to deal with the question

whop considering items for inclusion in thi s year’s Estimates. If there is money available we may <be able to set aside a small grant for the road, but indications are that there will be many applications for assistance and little money to go round. Yet before a final decision is made one way or the other, you will be given an opportunity to discuss the .matter with me again.