THE BRIDGE OVER THE WAIROA.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5487, 21 March 1910, Page 2

THE BRIDGE OVER THE WAIROA.

TO THE EDITOB,

Sir,— Eecent developments in the Kaimai and other districts adjacent to the Wairoa river, all tend to show the value of the stream as «i factor in the settlement of large areas of fertile country in the county of Tauranga A few weeks ago an article appeared in your paper, pointing out the necessity for making provision, to facilitate vessels passing up that stream, when a new bridge is erected Not only the traffic bridge, but the railway bridge also will require swiogs At first sight this appears to bo an insurmoui:tabl< obstacle to the use, in the future, of the Wairoa as a navigable river for scows aud other masted craft From a cursory examination of the locality it seems faasableto combine tho two bridges, and to divert the road to the higber levels obtainable near tho site of the existing bridge. The increased cost of a higher superstructure would be more than compensated for by its answering the dual purpose, and doing away with cost of attention and repair to swings. The proposed expenditure on traffic bridge would be the county's share of cost, the railway authorities providing the balance. As members of the Ministry are shortly expected to arrive in Tauranga, it will prove a-favourablo opportunity for dis cussing the pros and cons of the matter with them. An outcry is being made about the heavy traffic of timber waggons over our clay roads. What will eventuate wbeii the Oropi bush of 17,000 acres, the Cuga onga 10,000, the Kaimai 7000, Maur.gatotara 7000 and Whakamavama 5000 become the rendezvous of sawmillers ? Three of tho five blocks enumerated have already been selected as suitable site 3 for mills ! Dairy factories are coming almost at once, and the settlement on the land is making rapid strides on these backblocks which are all within a 7 miles radius of the head of the Wainoa. We cannot afford to let the natural outlet for all this country be shut off from seagoing craft. A little combination and

forethought among local bodies will now decide for fill time whether the products of this large area of fertile country are to be marketed through Matamata or Tauranga I had hoped Ihst others, better^ acquainted with the district and its possibilities, would have supported your views re the value of the Wairoa as a waterway than* yours respectfully,

W. E. lURNER