BRIDGE SITE DISPUTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14940, 13 March 1912, Page 5

BRIDGE SITE DISPUTE.

MR. MILLAR AT PUKEKOHE. DECISION WITHIN A * WEEK. [BY TELEGRAMS;—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Pukekohe, Tuesday. The Hon. J. A. Millar (Minister for Railways) paid a special visit to Pukekohe to-day to view the sites proposed. for the overhead traffic bridge. At present tho position is that the Pukekohe Town Board and the Pukekohe West Road Board favour the bridge at the end of King-street, whilst a number of local residents and the members of the Pukekohe East and Maungatawhiri Road Boards favour the bridge being placed on the site of the present level crossing in East-street. The Minister was accompanied by the chief engineer, the Auckland district engineer and his private secretary, and also Mr. W. F. Masscy (Leader of the Opposition). Tho Ministerial party arrived by motor car ehortly before noon, and was met by the various local bodies and entertained to lunch by the Pukekohe Town Board. After 1 uncheon the members of the opposing Boards were present in force, and both sides placed their respective views fully before the Minister. In reply, Mr. Millar stilted that he would like tho people to settle their differences locally if possible, but if not he would be guided by the advice of his engineers. Incidentally Mr. Millar said that he had not promised to subsidise the Town Board with £2 for every £1 they would raise towards the extra cost of the bridge if it were placed at the end of King-street. What he undertook, he said, was that if the Board would put the suggestion in writing he would give it favourable consideration, but he had made no definite promise. There were claims and counterclaims concerning the number of ratepayers who favoured each of the sites. Finally the Minister said that his engineers would report to him and he would give his decision within a week. The party left again for Auckland at, 4.30 p.m.