The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 1935. PUBLIC CONVENIENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 27 June 1935, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 1935. PUBLIC CONVENIENCE

The residents of the Kanicri-Wood-stock district, it appears, are rather concerned about the site to be adopted for the new bridge to be erected across the Hokitika river at Kanieri to re-i place the structure damaged by the February flood. The wooden bridge, built some sixty years ago of kauri, lost a couple of spans in the late flood, and in view of the general condition of the structure it was decided to replace it with a modern concrete bridge suck as the Highways Board is building tjinjughout /the Dominion. The damaged bridge is under repair for temporary traffic in the meantime, while investigations are in hand for the site for t,he new structure. The surveys proceeding point to a new location lower down stream, almost at the entrance to Kanieri township, and it is said this site is favoured hv the authorities. The actual bridge would be about 109 feet shorter, hut on the south side there would be a new detour y.pproacli of several chains, mostly throug,h swamp land, the construction of which would weigh against any saving in , the bridge cost by its shorter length. However, the residents are more concerned with vnv> loss of public convenience of the bridge becomes changed permanently. -At present the crossing as for the years passed, serves directly the centre of the township, and the business places. It has proved convenient for all purposes, including stuck traffic, which at times is considerable north and sontn. The new location it is pointed out, isolates the business centre, and a detour will bo necessary from the approach to serve the Post Office, where mail matter is handled daily. The possible effects by cutting off the township from the through traffic ic not viewed favourably, and as the town has enjoyed such excellent reading convenience over the years, it is a matter for regret that its rights arc in jeopardy at the present. At the moment the outlook for Kanieri is indeed promising, the new mining entor-

prises both in sluicing and. dredging to go on at the very back door of the township, will give a great fillip to business and the trade will expand, and it will not be surprising to find additional premises opened. The diversion of the main traffic from tho usual and customary route will be harmful to the trade locally, and it can be quite understood there will be a local grievance. Petitions are now in circulation protesting against any change and asking for the crossing to be retained at the point where it has served all concerned for tho many decades past. It is understood tho local body concerned supported the retention of the old site and Air O’Brien tjhe Member for Westland, has likewise taken the matter up. The wish of the people should bear some weight in the matter, and public convenience should count certainly. The issue rests with the Main Highways Board responsible for the control of the thoroughfare. The members of the Board of course, are impersonal in the matter, but local conditions and feelings should have .consideration, and now that they are being set out. by a formal request, it is to be hoped the future of the little township will not be marred by any outside action unfamiliar with 'local n.f/,urs, needs and interests. In short, the local feeling is for the old site dcfinitelv, and it is .honed it will he retained.