WESTLAND ELECTORATE

Grey River Argus, 22 May 1930, Page 4

WESTLAND ELECTORATE

MINISTERIAL REPLIES. -Mt -I. »»’Brien. M.P.. has receiv<-<i he - I j-.-plips to ntiiidu ' him to the Hon. W . A foilcl.. MP -rpi- n f Mines, when h«vas in \\ ->i| ;i nd last February:— Across to Middle Bush Property: — [»ear Sir.— I hav • to advise that the [lon. Mr \citeh informed me of the •ep.’esvnl at ion - < ,-,n» «*rning the* question of road to Middle Bush, which were ma le to him by Air .1. Gibbs, whom you introduced at Waiho on the 2nd Februarv last, and, as a result, investigation-; have, been made i.y my Department s District Engineer it Greymonth. I understand ’hat the Aliddlo Bush property consi-ts of an island or a series <»f islands included between the right and left branches of the Waiho River in its lower reaches. The access originally was via the bed of the Waiho River, but two years ago a large Hood threw the river against a cliff, opposite to •<■- tion 241’3. and wiped out part old trail which had been iKed /or many years. The estimated cost of ! reinstating the horse tr;j.-k at this point is approximately £loo. As an alternative tin* possibility of constructing a horse track further back from the river over a fairly high ridge ; was looked into, but it was found that I this proposal would be much too costly. It appears. however, that the settlors in this locality are deserving of some assistance, but I do nor think the Government would !>•• justified in financing the full <ost of the work. I have given the matter careful consideration. and I am of the opinion That a fair basis of assistance by The Government would be £2 for £1 on the estimated cost of £l6O. I would suggest. Therefore, that the County CounI cil should include ;<n item for this work on its applications in connection with the forth-omina Estimate®, and. in the event of this being done, the question of a «iovernmerit -übsidy will receive further consideration.—Yours faithfully. E. A. Ransom. Minister of Public Work-. Small Bridge, i,.--t v--:. Glacier Hostel and Fox Glacb-r —Dear Sir. —I have to advise that my colleague, the Hon. Minister of Alites, informed me -of rhe representations, concerning the ' ■ f ft \V *heka or ’ ' -** bv the duced bv you. and a® :• result the mat- ■■ _ • - y was i■_ - ' iis apparent -■ - - ■ fl m ds. |and where the <i'ia -- r T .t- k crosses [has a fairly w. ■ L- . The most suit- | able l*ridge sit.- is rw , and a-half I chains upstream from th*? present ford, j and To erect a suit?l ,h- structure at i this site would •■■•st approximately I £156. The track ’rom the Alain south I Road near Weheka to the Fox River I Suspension Bridge has been cut up j with material transport to The latter, whilst The snigging of the material for the Chancellor Ridge Hut ha® neeessi tated repairs- to the one and threequarter miles of Track between the Fox River suspension bridge and th Glacier. It is climated That a furtr.eJb sum of approximately £l5O will be required to <ove~ the cost of reconstructing portion, of this track and erecting the other small bridges mentioned by the deputation. These items are chief ’l ly of interest r<> tourists, and for that reason the matter was referred to the Department of Tourist and ■Health Resorts f< •• its consideration, 'J with a view to giving The question of providing Government funds, to cover the cost <»f rhe work, consideration on the forthcoming Estimates. I am now 1 informed that the General Manager of the Department of Tourist and Health i Resorts recently visited the district 1 and discussed the matter fullv with my Department’® District Engineer. The question of moving a portion of a hut to The foot of the Glacier for a shelter shed was also discussed, and ir wa® decided’that it would be necessary for a further inspection to bp made in order to obtain some additional particulars. The General Afan- ! ager arranged for this to be done, and immediately the report comes to hand the whole question will then receive further consideration in order that the ! matter of providing a Government. grant may be dealt with when the ‘ Estimates are under review.—Yours ‘ faithfully, F. A. Ransom. Minister of ' Public Works.