THE WAIHI BRIDGE.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XII, Issue 1525, 28 April 1883, Page 2

THE WAIHI BRIDGE.

TO THE EDITOR,

Sir, — It is, to be -hoped that 'the Government will cause the re-erection of the Waihi bridge to be at once proceeded with, as I understand from Mr Brodie, Chairman of the Thames County Council, that this distinguished body of collective narrow-minded Councillors are determined that Turner's bridge is not to be rebuilt at the expense of the Thames County. What is the result of this narrow-minded policy ? Simply that the inhabitants of the Waihi distriot will have to pay about 100 per oent additional freight ■for all their supplies during the coming winter, as the road from Paeroa to Owharoa is in places almost impassable, and corresponding rates for freight are charged. I have no doubt but that our representative, Captain Morris, will urge the matter on the serious attention of the Government to have the bridge at once restored. We may expect a population of several hundred persons at Waihi within the next two months, and it is hard that the industrious miner and struggling storekeeper should alike suffer such a dog in the manger policy, and to cut out from Tauranga and Katikati the fine market that the Vaihi gold fields present. I passed through on Tuesday, and could not obtain a pound of chaff for my horses. Poor Jack Downey's body was not recovered up to last night. He was well known to many in Katikati, having ridden several races there, and was a universal favourite with all. He passed the Waihi Hotel at dinner time, and was pressed to take his dinner, but the poor little fellow hurried on to his last rest. I understand that a son of Mr Vosey Stewart's had a narrow escape, being wj.fch him at the time, and would have inevitably qhar-ecl the same fate. This Jafl is about the same age as poor Downey, an 4 they were grea| friends. Young Mr Stewart mot Downey at the Thames on Sunday, had breakfast together at the Paoiflo Hotel, and wag pressed by his eldor brother to rest on Sunday, and go baok with Downey on Monday. He, fortunately, however hurried home, and did not wait for him. I would advise any travellers on horseback to be cautious for the future, and cross' by the battery flume, and get a native to take the horses across. The ford is a good one to those that know it, and Mr McPherson who has a store on the other side close to the battery is most kind and obliging, and would have no difficulty in procuring a native for the purpose. However, let your Council and your representative take up this matter, and insist on the erection of the bridge. — I am, &c,

A Correspondent,