RISKY BRIDGES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 45, 22 February 1934, Page 11

RISKY BRIDGES.

EXAMPLE OF PUHOI. 'OVER 150 DUE FOR RENEWAL' INSUFFICIENT FUNDS. Two blocks of pinus insignis, old and rotten oil tho outside, and apparently soft in the centre, were exhibited on the table at a meeting of the council of the Automobile Association last evenin"*. The blocks, two sections from the stringers of the Puhoi Bridge, part of which was washed away by a flood on February 10. caused considerable comment as members entered the room. Attached to one block was the following typewritten note: — "Safety First: The confiscation of motor taxation for t lie general purposes of Government has left the Main Highways Board funds so depleted that tho urgent replacement of many old wooden bridges has had to be postponed. Sections of the stringers of the Puhoi Bridge on the No. 1 main arterial highway which collapsed during the recent flood. Illustrating the dangers to which road users are subjected, in spite of the excessively high taxation which they are paying'. The Automobile Association has made urgent representations to tho Government to release motor taxation for expenditure to arrest the deterioration of roads and to relieve such dangers as are represented by these stringers." "At Your Own Risk." The touring manager, Mr. R. E. Champtaloup, said the mishap at the Puhoi Bridge emphasised tho urgent necessity for the replacement for many of the "old wooden structures in the Dominion. North Auckland was particularly unfortunate in that respect, and motorists were forced to pass over many bridged, marked "At Your Own Risk." He had inspected the damage at the Puhoi Bridge. Heavy passenger buses continually crossed it, and the risk of life and limb was so serious that he suggested the association should notitv the Government that it considered the replacement of such bridges as of paramount importance. Mr. Champtaloup suggested that the two blocks be exhibited in some Queen Street window to demonstrate the rottenness of the timber. The remainder of the bridge, he explained, was still standing. Mr. A. Grayson, president, explained that when the Puhoi Bridge was

erected it was only a temporary structure, but it was not fair to the travelling public to expect lliem to cross bridges in the condition of Puhoi. If the association could get some public feeling aroused concerning the danger of bridges caused by money being diverted from the Main Highways Board to the Consolidated Fund, they would be doing some good. Mr. S. Crooks: Who erected it ? Mr. if. It. Wvnyard: I don't know who Greeted it, but it was built live or six years ago and was only a temporary structure. Mr. Crooks: 2io Department should use pinus ineignis, material like that, for bridges 011 a main highway. It is a wrong thing. •Mr* Wyjiyardf-.lt did not collapse. Part of it was washed away. The contract is already let for a new .bridge. Mr. 11. .1. Bella 111: Do not let us display this rubbish in shop windows. You might just as well tear up the city streets, and say it is a rotten city. Let us send a block to the Minister. Mr. Crooks: IT It is rotten, it should be shown up. A Member: Do I understand that heavy traffic has been allowed to pass daily over the bridge and no responsible officer knew of its condition? Mr. Grayson explained that there had been certain restrictions 011 the bridge. It had not broken through stress of traffic—it had been washed away. " Only One Instance." Mr. Wynyard: The Main Highways Board lias over 150 bridges due for renewal, and the board has pointed this out to the Minister 011 many occasions. This is only one instance of what is happening throughout the country. We cannot build these bridges unless we have sufficient money. There are any amount of bridges that are in just as bad condition as Puhoi. The Highways Board has instructed its ollicers to keep ail eye on these bridges and they are supposed to be inspected regularly. 1 suggest you take 110 action until you sec the district engineer at Auckland. A photograph of the timber removed from the Puhoi bridge appears in the "Star" to-day.