DOMINION ROAD BRIDGE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 167, 14 July 1908, Page 3

DOMINION ROAD BRIDGE.

SO-tOUGH COUNCIL AND GOVERNMENT. The question of the widening of tho Dominion Road Bridge was referred to at the meeting of the Mt. Eden Borough Council last night. A letter was received from the Hon. G. Fowlds, who stated that the .Minister for Railways had Kgrced to widen the bridge to the full width of the ro:id. on condition that the local authority provided the approaches 0 n either side. The Council's engineer (Mr Metcalfe) reported that the work would cost about £4400, exclusive ot 3and and .compensation /to propcrtvowuers who would lose access "to their premise.-. Ihe Mayor (Mr U. Nicholson) said there would certainly be sonic claims for compensation which would have to be considered. They might consider that the work would cost £-iOOO at least. (j. councillor: "More.") It was a question for the ratepayers, and they would have to borrow £5000 and strike a special rate, as the work could not be done out of revenue. 3_r Potter thought they should make an additional request to the Government, and moved: " That the Hon. (1. Fowlds he written to to the following effect: That this Council, while thanking the Minister for bringing under the notice ""of the Minister for Railways the desirability of widening Dominion Road Bridge, further desires that he will also point cut to the Minister that such widening imposes upon the Council works jn connection with the -approaches extending 4IS feet in length, and estimated, with compensation claims, to cost £5000; therefore the Council requests the Minister For Railways to cause the bridge retaining works and fillings to beextended to the boundary of their property. In support of this request, the Council points out that while the Dominion Road Bridge serves v portion only of the Mt. Eden Borough, it is a main road largely used by other important districts from which no contributions are received for its maintenance." The Mayor agreed that this would mean a saving if they could work it. He ,was doubtful, however, for it had been a considerable trouble to get the Government to go as far as they had done. The motion was carried.