BROAD GREEK BRIDGE PROJECT DELAYED: SHORTAGE OF STEEL

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 June 1950, Page 6

BROAD GREEK BRIDGE PROJECT DELAYED: SHORTAGE OF STEEL

A delay in the delivery of steel sor the proposed .bridge at Broad creek, cast of Arthurs Pass on the West Coast-Canterbury highway, will hold up this project for at least a year. Information to this effect was given the Westland Progress League last evening from the Minister of Works, Mr W. 3. Goosman.

“The chairman of the Main High” ways Board, informs me,” stated the Minister, “that every effort is being made to complete the plans at the earliest possible date, and the investigation of foundation data has been put in train. Unfortunately the latest information discloses that, through circumstances beyond the control of the department, there will be an unexpected delay in the delivery of steel; the Railway Department being unable to make available certain girders for at least twelve months. “The Main Highways Board is fully appreciative of the necessity to complete this bridge as soon as possible, and is doing its best to achieve this in the face of prevalent shortages,” concluded Mr Goosman.

UNITED EFFORT URGED BY PROGRESS LEAGUE “During the past six years, residents in Hokitika as well as Greymouth and the surrounding districts have come to realise that the future of the West Coast lies, first, in the J united backing of the people from one end of the province to the other (it is only by being united that we can hope for success), and secondly, that everything possible to urge the increased usage of our land, with its attendant greater farming producton, must be done.” This reference was contained in the half-yearly report presented on behalf of the chairman, Mr G. R. Harker, at last evening’s meeting of the Westland Progress League. “By far the greatest portion of our effort,” the report stated, “has been in the matter of encouraging land development and extension of the farming industry in Westland, it being recognised by all council members that the West Coast, more than ever before, is compelled to build up this industry and keep on. building it until eventually it becames Westland’s No, 1 source of revenue. We cannot afford to neglect this aspect which is becoming more and more essential for our future prosperity as the timber, gold and coal resources of the district dwindle.”

The report dealt with all the matters which received the league’s attention dm .ng the past six months.

PROTEST ON STAMPS OFFICE TRANSFER HELD TO BE FUTILE

The amalgamation of the Stamps and Deeds Office and the Income Tax Department and the transfer of the former from Hokitika to Greymouth, will not .be the subject of a protest by the Westland Progress League. The Hokitika League and Westland Law Society have opposed the move. Reaching a decision last evening to “take no action,” the league accepted the view expressed by _ the acting chairman, Mr F. A. Kitchingham, and Mr W. D. Taylor, that it had been the policy of Cabinet io amalgamate the department, and it was not likely that Cabinet would change its views just because a protest had been received from the smallest district in New Zealand. “We should have a fighting chance of success when we take any matter up, but I do not think we have in this case,” said Mr Kitchingham.