BRIDGE PROPOSAL

Hokitika Guardian, 23 May 1933, Page 5

BRIDGE PROPOSAL

IN SOUTH WESTLAND

The Hon. J. Bitchener, Minister of Public Works, has replied to representations made by Mr Janies O’Brien, Member for Westland as follows

Dear Sir,—l have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 26th April and I note what you say in regard to the bridging of f the South Westland rivers and their importance in relation to the Great South Road.

I have been in touch with my Department on the subject and I find that £2OOO was appropriated last year for the Fox Bridge and that already preparations of plans and .specifications are in liarJd. To erect this bridge, however, it will cost much more than the amount appropriated. As an indication of the amount that will be required it is estimated that the Fox Bridge alone would involve the expenditure of £II,OOO. The other bridges mentioned by you will also involve fairly heavy expenditure but as negotiations concerning them have not proceeded sufficiently far, I am unable 'to give a definite indication of the ultimate cost of these two works (bridging of the Karangarua and Cook rivers). It would bo most unwise, of. course, to anticipate at this stage that the Government will be able to supply sufficient funds this year to justify a commencement being made with the, construction of one °f the bridges. It would require a much larger sum than £2OOO to cover a year’s operations and, ,1 am unhappily in the position of having to delay the erection of even the Fox Bridge until it is known what amount can be provided on the Estimates this year. I have arranged with my Department that the matter be closely investigated and that if financial conditions are favourable further sums be allocated to the Fox and Cook Bridges and that the question of a bridge over the Karangarua River be gone into.