TEE HEATHCOTE BRIDGE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11752, 28 November 1903, Page 5

TEE HEATHCOTE BRIDGE.

HEATHCOTE ROAD BOARD'S SUGGESTION.

A special meeting of tlie Heathcote Road Beard, to discuss matU-ra connected with slwj Heathcote bridge, was Ifcild d*Bt night. Present—Messrs R. Malcolm (chairman), G. Scott, F, R, Corson, Wilkinson, and Martitt.

The Tramway Board wrote intimating that the midge is unsafe, and calling on the bodies interested to take steps to put it in a safe condition within one month from the 6th in&t., otherwise all traffio would be prohibited. TJie Woolston Borough Council forwarded a copy of the report of Mr J. Crawford, C.E., with regard to the bridge, which has been published, and asked for the Board's views oh it. The report waa read. The Chairman said that unfortunately the Board was involved to a certain extent in' the matter, and they would, have to watch their interests, and* decide what was best to be done. >Mr Scott asked if the Board's proportion of the cost of repairing the present.structure, or of constructing a new bridge, would fall on the Valley Ward. The Chairman did not think so. Whatever they had to contribute should be spread over the whole district. Mr Scott was of opinion that it would be unfair to ask the other wards to contribute, as they had their own bridges to maintain. The Valley Ward should bear the whole of tlie Board's proportion of the repairs, or of the new bridge. Tlie Chairman thought that would handicap the Valley Ward to a great extent, and if possible ,the other wards should assist.

Mr Scott suggested that the Government or the Selwyn County Council should be asked to subsidise the local bodies. He contended that like the Empire (White's) Bridge tlie Heathcote Bridge was one on a main road. Mr Wilkinson said the bridge was ot little benefit to the Valley. The clerk (Mr Wright) said he understood that it was intended to ask for a subsidy from the Government towards the cost of the bridge. •Mr Wilkinson said the Valley Ward could not pay the contribution to the bridge out of ordinary rates. It would be perfectly absurd to attempt it, as they had enough encumbrances at present. Mr Corson said that probably sufficient could be allocated out of the subsidy received from the County Council to meet the interest.

Mr Scott pointed out that something must be done, but they could not decide until they knew where the money was to come from. A great responsibility rested on the Tramway 'Board, which was not prepared to take any risks. The Chairman thought it would be rather absurd to repair the bridge temporarily—it should be repaired properly, and put into usable order.

In'reply to Mr Corson, Mr Scott expressed the opinion that the Tramway Board would not contribute towards the cost of a new bridge. The Chairman--*Tf the local bodies re' pair the bridge the Tramway Board will have to provide a bridge for themselves. That ia the position, is it not?" Mt Wilkinson said it would be a great mistlake, iif the present bridge were repaired, for it to be used for tramway purposes as well as ordinary traffic. It was dangerous enough as it was with the present trams.

Mr Corson said that ho understood that Mr Roilitt (Mayor of Sumner) advocated a new bridge to carry both the electric tramway and ordinary traffic. The Heathcote Board's proportion of the cost of repairing the present bridge would be about £165. Mr Martin suggested that the Board should recommend that the bridge be repaired, Mr Wilkinson said it was very desirable, considering the extent of the present ordinary traffic, and the danger that would arise from the combined tramway and ordinary .traffic, that a separate bridge should be erected for tramway purposes. He moved—"That this Board is in favour of tho present bridge being repaired, in accordance with Mr Crawford's report, in preference to a new bridge being constructed, and that this Board would strongly support a suggestion to the Tramway Board that, in the interests of publio safety, a separate bridge bo built for tramway purposes.",... '■■■■'.'■' Mr Martin seconded the motion, which was agreed to unanimously. Messrs Corson and WiUrinson were appointed delegates to represent the Board at/the conference of the.bodies interested. r