THE RANGITATA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 255, 9 August 1933, Page 3

THE RANGITATA.

STOCK BRIDGE ESSENTIAL. ISLAND SETTLERS’ VIEWS. (Special to the “Guardian.”) TIMARU, This Day. The position in regard to the Rangitata Island settlers who are affected by the new bridge proposal, was made clear by Mr F. W. Ruddenlilau, who resides on the Island, in a letter read at the monthly meeting of the Geraldine County Council on Monday. Mr Ruddenklaii said he had been on Rangitata Island for 15 years, and had a fair idea of the amount of stock which crossed the river at this point. Between March and September each year thousands crossed pretty well every week from as far south as the Waitaki. He had had occasion to cross the Arundel bridge with sheep on two occasions, and with the amount of traffic at present it was almost an impossible job with a big mob. He had spoken to a number of stock owners who had used the railway bridge, and all agreed that it would be a catastrophe to lose this bridge. He was certain, too, that if all stock from there were diverted to Arundel, there would be traffic hold-ups for hours every day, and the delay would cause no end of damage to in-lamb ewes coming back from wintering on the Ealing side. He» trusted that the Council would go very fully into the matter before deciding not to carry it on. Bridge Favoured. Councillor Ross Brodie, of Rangitata Island, made a strong plea in favour of the Council supportirig the stock bridge proposal. A lot of stock used the route, and it would bo a backward step if, they did not have a stock bridge. It would be a criminal thing that a bridge which was likely to be of service to the community should bo destroyed. The chairman (Mr K. Mackenzie): The Council decided at the July meeting against taking over the railway bridge for road traffic and the proposal to erect a stock bridge on the new bridge. Councillor Brodie: I was not here, but, if I had been present, I would have taken the same attitude as I am taking now.

The chairman remarked that he could not understand the contention that such a large number of sheep used the bridge. ' Councillor Brodie: There lias been much agitation for a stock bridge. The chairman: The Ashburton and Geraldine County Councils will have to provide £ll4 each year for maintenance. Wc do not want a stock bridge, and I do not see why the Geraldine ratepayers should be called upon to pay for it. If the motoring public wants the bridge let them pay for the through road. We will have to build the road and southern approach and asphalt it. Councillor Brodie: The Highways Board would give a grant, would it not? The chairman: There is no guarantee of that. Councillor C. Ley: It was quite satisfactory in the old days; now since the automobile associations have been formed they want a direct racing road right up and dowp the North and South Islands! The County Engineer (Mr C. ■E. Bremner): The District Highways Engineer is preparing a report oil the whole matter, and the alternatives involved. Councillor Brodie: It would be a retrograde step not to have a stock bridge, which would save a two days’ journey to reach each side of the river. Against Two Highways. Councillor F. W. Flatman: I, am not in favour of that route at all. AVe have one route now, and.if this proposal is completed wo will have two highways to maintain. However, 1 would be prepared to support the nro posal to have a stock bridge along tho new bridge, but I am against the proposal to convert the present railway bridge to a traffic bridge. However, I am not prepared to bavo a new bridge at the expense of the ratepayers. Councillor Brodie: I am not asking you to penalise the ratepayers in times like the present, but I think it would be a mistake to pull the old bridge down if it can bo “put in order by the Highways Board. I am asking lor a stock bridge on tho proposed new bridge. The chairman: AVe could'write'to the Ashburton County Council stating the f after further consideration wo are in favour of the stock bridge, along the new railway bridge, as some of the ratepayers occupy land on both sides of the riyer, which would save i considerable journey getting sheep to and fro. Councillor Flatman: It will cost us £72 a year. Councillor J. 0. South: Too much for ! two or three people! The chairman: Yes. I cannot see that there are sueli a number who use the bridge, but I did not realise that there were settlers with land on both sides of the river. Councillor Flatman: I always thought it a silly idea to run main, roads alongside the railway. Councillor Brodie: You will find the same position everywhere else. Councillor Flatman: I think the information at our disposal is too meagre.

The Council agreed to go into the matter further at the next meeting.