KUMARA NOTES

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 September 1928, Page 11

KUMARA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent.)

Mr and Mrs Theo Saraty returned from Wellington on Thursday evening.

Mr J. Sceterini of Boundary Road, celebrated his 94th birthday on Wednesday last. A conference of local bodies concerned in the upkeep of the Taramakau traffic bridge took place at Kumara yesterday. The Grey County was represented by Messrs A. Robinson and Higgins. Westland County, Messrs Wells, Ward, Evans and Milner, and Kumara Borough, Messrs A. B. Spiers, Burrell and McDonald. Mr Spiers, who occupied the chair, said the meeting had been called to discuss matters concerning the upkeep of the bridge, which-badly needed attention, and, in order that the work could be carried out, the Kumara Borough had made application to the Government for a grant. The Prime Minister had pointed out that if a grant were made to the Kumara Borough it would upset the apportionment made by the Commission some twenty years ago, and he recommended the various contributing bodies to meet in conference and endeavour to arrive at some satisfactory arrangement between themselves. Mr Wells said he was sorry Mr Murdoch had been unable to attend, as he knew more about .the matter than anyone else. Continuing, Mi* Wells said he agreed with the remarks of the chairman, that it would be quite all right if the contributing local bodies could get a grant from the Government to assist in carrying out the work. It was over twenty years since the Commission made the apportionment and things had changed very much since. He strongly advocated the Government being approached for a grant. Mr Robinson said it was two years since Mi* Higgins had reported on the structure, and the repairs now needed would entail greater expenditure. He approved of the suggestion to make a joint application to the Government for a grant.

Mr Higgins said it might be possible to get a grant from the Consolidated Fund, provided no money was asked for until after March 31 next. Mr Ward said he knew very little about the matter. It was over twenty years since the apportionment had been made, and things had now considerably altered. The Kumara Borough was not in a position to pay what was asked of them. The suggestion made by Mr Spiers for a continued grant, was a good one, and he thought it would be a wise policy for the Government to follow.

Mr Evans endorsed the remarks of Mr Higgins concerning getting a grant. A grant on a £ for £ basis was all they could hope for. Before anything further was done another estimate was required, as it, was useless guessing. He thought next year the Highways Board should he approached to grant a subsidy towards the upkeep of the bridge. In the meantime, he favoured asking the Government for a £ for £ subsidy. Mr Burrell said he had suggested asking for a grant of £lOOO as the cost of repairs now would be considerably more than would have been the case, had the work been carried out two years ago. Some of the piles wanted sheathing, and otherwise attending to. Mr Spiers moved that the three local bodies concerned, combine and apply for a Subsidy on the basis of 30/- to the £ to help repair the bridge. Mr Wells seconded.—Carried. It was resolved that M/ Evans, who expected being in Wellington in a fortnight, be asked to confer with the Member for the District, and interview the Prime Minister on the matter. Mr Spiers returned thanks to the delegates for attending the conference and trusted their joint effoi ts would be instrumental in doing some good. '