TAMAKI BRIDGE.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 233, 4 October 1887, Page 5

TAMAKI BRIDGE.

It seems as if the people on the far side of the Tamaki River have a real grievance

in respect to the bridge over that river. The bridge is. a swing one, working on cogwheels, and is turned by means of a windlass, the handles of which are moveable, and were always in tho possession of the man in charge of the bridge. Last December the services of the caretaker were dispensed with, but as no one was appointed to the vacancy he continued there, and of couise has received no salary from the Government. It appears now that though he has the handles requisite to open the bridge which is still in his possession, he will not allow them to be used. On Sunday morning Father Walter Mac Donald, on his way to Ho wick to take service there, could not get across the'river on account of this, and after long waiting had to have resource to aboat. The Rev. Mr Macky, the Presbyterian minister was also prevented from taking his morning service through being unable to get across the bridge. Mr Crawford, 'busproprietor, on his way to town yesterday with the Panmure 'bus, was stopped, and with several other conveyances and about a dozen passengers in his vehicle, was compelled to wait for close on two hours, when, with the assistance of block and tackle, the bridge was made passable. Mr Crawshaw has "made a complaint to the police in reference to the matter, and there is no doubt but that the authorities ought to take action and prevent it from becoming a nuisance to the general public.