A GREENFIELD GRIEVANCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2860, 6 January 1909, Page 15

A GREEN FIELD GRIEVANCE.

i DEPUTATION TO MR ALLEX, M.P I. A numerously attended deputation waited bn Mr J. Allen. M.P., at the Tfaitahruia. show ground on Dec. 29 to lay before him the absolute necessity for the bridge over the Waitahuna River between Greenfield and Waitahuna. Mr Rose, a, member of the Tuapeka County Council, introduced the subject, saying that the deputation took advantage of the presence of Mr Allen, to lay before him the unsatisfactory condition of affaire existing a<t Greenfield Settlement owing to tho settlors at the lower end of the block having no outlet to WaitaJvunia, which was due to die unfinished §tate of the Waitahuna bridge. He explained the financial position, saying tihat the structure was estimated to ocst £1200. Towards this the Government had given £500 and the Tuapeka County Council £300, but the Bruce' County Council had refused to contribute. Thus, -the money was imsufneient to complete the work, and unless the Government stepped in and assisted tba work already done on the bridge wouJd be labour in vain. Speaking ac a member of the Tuapeka County Council, he could say that the coancil was not inclined to spend any more nK>n<ey, and he jiid not think 'they could be expected to, pointing oat that the whobe of the work ehoulcl have bean carried out by the Government. The Government had purveyed the road to give access to tlie land, and it led to the banks of a river over which rfc was now impossible to croso at that point, and 'had cut off the approaches to the ford. It was stated by another member of the deputation that die amount spent so far on the bridge totalled £700 The girders, now lyang at Waitahuna, had been ordered- by the Tuapeka County Council. Mr Grace was appointed spokesman on behalf of the tenants on the settlement. Ho said that when the land was originally offered tlie pamphlets promised a road to Waitahuna. The road had been made, but the Government had broken faith in respect of the bridge. At present settlers had to ■trespass on a settler's land in order to reach the ford, and the settler had informed him that he intended, forbidding them from trespassing cm his land. "Mr Allen said 3i© was fully aware of the circumstances that led up to the demand of tho deputation. The Government had voted £500 to construct the bridge, but this, being rinsumeaemfc, the Tuapeka County a^istod wi-ch £300, but Bruce County declined responsibility. Last session t>ie Govemmem voted £200 towards the bridge and £100 towards fciwu road, and he said that if the Government were approached and the eireunjsbanoes explained the Roads Department might agree to the extra £100 being spent on the bridge. The Tuapeke County Council not bein«" inclined to spend any more money, the Ciowr should finisn the struettire. He would like to see tlie Tuapeka Council have the girders conveyed to the bridge, and if this were done the Government might be more inclined to assist. He counselled the local authorities to make application for the grant prior to March 31. He referred to' another matter concerning Greenfield settlexs, and tbat was that a sum of £500 had been on the Estimates for zwo j ears for improving roads on the settlement, am*! a fu-rther -cum of £100 had also been allocated for Haa>dy'>s road. In conclusion. Mr Allen said he fully recognk«d the importance of the bridge being completed, and he would use every effort to urge the Government to put a further cum on the Estimates to complete the work. rt Several minor matters \rere reforxed to by various sueakers, and tho me^tinc: paeeed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Allen for his> efforts on behalf of the di-sh-ict.