THE RANGITATA.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18150, 13 August 1924, Page 6

THE RANGITATA.

TRAFFIC BRIDGE WANTED, Just about 14 years ago'members of the Ashburton and Geraldine County Councils met at the Eangitata Island nag station to consider the matter of the erection of a traffic bridge over the north and south branches of the Eangitata Biver, in order to give a direct route from Ashburton to Timaru, via Ealing. The cost of such structures •was estimated at that time to be within the vicinity of £25,000 to £30,000. Failing two separate bridges, the two Councils made a-suggestion that bridges suitable for mctcr-car traffic should be erected attached to the present railway bridges. The Railway Department declined to entertain this proposal. Before the agitation for the erection of traffic bridges could go much- further the Great War broke oat, and there was neither men to spare nor money to spend for the erection of costly bridges over such rivers as the Eangitata.

The .agitation hai, however, been given a fresh and most vigorous start, judging by the enthusiasm which was shown in the Ealing. Publie Hail en Monday afternoon, when there was a numerous and widely representative gathering of farmers and others from the Eangitata, the Eangitata Island, Ealing and Coldstream districts for the purpose of going thoroughly into the matter and making strong representations to the authorities to have the Eangitata bridged and thus save the extra ten miles which has., to be traversed by all wheeled vehicles to cross the bridge over the Eangitata at Arundel. Mr H. B. C. Withell was voted to.the chair.

The chairman urged, the necessity for a bridge over the Eangitata at some point below the railway line, but those interested must be unanimous as to the best site, as it would not advance the project by one party of settlers asking for bridges to be erected at a particular point, and another party asking that the bridges should be erected at some other spot. Mr Georga Tait said there was a difference of opinion amongst the settlers as to the most suitable point at which the Jfangitata should be bridged, but it should be erected at a point that j would be most convenient to the majority of the settlers. He also considered that Badham's road, about six miles below the railway bridge, would be an admirable site. A petition for a bridge at this point had been signed by over 100 ratepayers, and each of these ratepayers was personally prepared to subscribe a substantial amount towards the cost, the amount already promised being £I3OO. A bridgo at this point would serve a large number of settlers who were farming the most productive lands below tho railway line, and would give the best and shortest route from Ashburton to Timaru. In aDy case the petition had been signed, and the contributions promised on the distinct understanding that the petition as it now stood was to be sent forward to Parliament, and he had no option but to carry out tho wishes of thoso who had signed the petition. Mr W. G. Gallagher, chairman of the Ashburton County. Council, explained the position as it would affect the Ashburton Council. He was suro that that body would not be in a financial position to contribute towards the cost of bridging the Eangitata for at least two years, as its commitments for bridge work and road construction in other parts of the county would fully tax all its financial resources, and a new bridge would be subject to its being erected on a road which would be a main road under the Main Highways Act. There was no doubt whatever that the travelling public would demand that a bridge should be erected over the Eangitata in this vicinity sooner or later, but in tho meantime the Ashburton County Council had already mapped out all the new work it could undertake for the next twb years, the estimated cost of which was £.14,707 under the main highways scheme, and he was only referring to works that were considered urgent. Then, too, if they wanted a big bridge it would mean that they would have to go in for a borrowing policy. It was highly probable that the Eangitata would eventually be bridged at a point near the railway lino, but how- soon this would be he could not Bay. With regard to any petitions which might be signed and sent forward for a bridge at a particular point, there was no doubt whatever that as soon as it • was decided that a bridge should be erected the Public Works Department would send its own engineers down to choose a site, and that a point would be selected which would best serve all concerned, and for all time.

The chairman remarked that if the County Council could see its way to assist with the work in two years' time the position was not so bad. Mr G. Tilson said the settlers and the general travelling public wanted, and were entitled to, a bridge over the Eangitata. It was not a matter for the Ashburtou and Geraldino County Councils to undertake, but, the Main Highways Board. : After a very lengthy and full discussion, the following motion was carried unanimously: "That this meeting, representative of the ratepayers from the Eangitata, Eangitata Island, Ealing, and Coldstream districts, urges the necessity for a bridge over the Eangitata river below the railway line, at .1 site considered more suitable by the Government, irrespective of any peti-

ticns which may be sent in "with re~ard to a site.'" A sceeia! vote cf thanks was. accorded Mr V. r . G. Gallagher for his attendance and for ths information he had given the meeting in regard to ths Ashburton County Council's financial position and its •commitments for the nest two years.