ROAD AND A BRIDGE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1131, 19 May 1911, Page 7

ROAD AND A BRIDGE.

HUTT VALLEY. WANTS. A deputation, reprcssn'ing the Upper Hutt and Pahuutanui districts waited on the Minister for Public Yi'orks (tho Hou. R. M'Kenzie) yesterday, in regard to a bridge- over the Hutt Hiver and tlie completion of tho road from Pahautariui, through Moonshine, to tho Hutt Valley. Mr. W. H. Field and Mr. T. M. Wilford, members for the electorates concerned, were with the deputation. Mr. Field pointed out the disabilities the settlers of Pahautanui were under through there being no bridge over the Hutt River to give them easier and safer access, than, an uncertain ford provided, with the Upper Hutt. Farming and marketing were much impeded by the present state of affairs.' At one place, whero a ford had previously existed, a toll had been levied by the owner of the land. "I believe you are not in favour of tolls," said Mr. Field to the Minister. (Laughter.) "And I don't suppose you are," replied Mr. M'Keuzie. Mr. Field proceeded that tho deputatidn also desired a subsidy towards the construction of about sixty-five chains of road to complete the connection with the Hutt. A £ for £ subsidy was asked for in the case of the brHge. The estimated cost of tho bridge wan .£2200, and of the road .£6OO. Tho settlers were willing to havo their properties rated to raise their share of tho money—about .£I4OO. Ho ■presented a petition from tho districts to the Minister. . Mr. Wilford said that the men who had signed tho petition were all bonafkle Iftiid-owners. He suggested that the Minister should visit the locality, and he would then agree as to the urgency of tho things asked for. "I know," sai ( j Mr. Wilford, "how to get money nut of you, viz., to show you a practical scheme." Tho Minister smiled. A Hutt County Councillor, Mr. W. Galloway, said the bridge and the rant] would enable tho Upper Hutt lo be reached from Pahautanui by n drive of ten miles instead of thirty, as at proThe Minister said the donufation had made out a strong case for the bridgel,v offering to rate themselves for it. The Government had already decided that, the road wa_i necessary. Hn was fairly ?nfo in saying (lint when lie referred the matter to Cabinet, niithorif.i: tion for a £ for £ grant would lw R iv(. n . Tf th" settlers successfully carried n roll for their sharo of the monev, he was prepared to say that. th<- Government would assist with ,£ for £. the sum to De placed oil next year's estimates.