BRIDGE WANTED.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18636, 10 March 1926, Page 9

BRIDGE WANTED.

SOUTH BRIGHTON'S NEED. PUBLIC MEETING HELD. A largely-attended public meeting was held in the South Brighton Hall last night, under the auspices of the local Progress League, Mr T. Hobins presiding, to go into the question of urging the Government to erect a oridge over the Estuary from the sand spit, on the .New Unghion side to near onag Kock on the aunmer side, and after the matter had been well discussed a committee was set up to further the proposal. Mr J. Maw son istewart said that the whole scheme of bridging the Estuary was in hand some years ago, but it was frustrated owing to the outbreak of the war. fcjome time ago a ieUunie was tormuiated in the direction of building a bridge at a cost of some £38,000, but owing to the high cost it was abandoned. In connexion with the land owned by what was known as the South Brighton Land Syndicate, provision was made in respect of the sale and purchase of it towards the cost of erecting a bridge. The Syndicate had obtained a lease of the property known as the Naval .Reserve for a term of some years. A strip of land 2i miles in length, commencing from the Estuary road and continuing to the Naval Reserve, had been handed over to the New Brighton Council. Mr Stewart stated that while the Government would not altogether pay for the cost of the proposed bridge, there was reason to believe that if the ratepayers wanted it the Government would assist them in the proposal. He would suggest that a deputation wait on the Minister when nest he visited Christchurch and discuss the matter with him. The connecting up of New Brighton with Sumner would increase the value of land in the former borough tenfold. He would not say what sort of bridge should be erected, but was of the opinion that a proper structure should be built. He would not be in favour of a bridge if it meant raising a loan, as he considered that the borough was rated heavily enough already, and would be unable to stand such expenditure. He wanted the Government to carry out the work. Let Well Alone. Mr J. Staples said that he Was of the opinion that it would be better to leave South, Brighton a dead end as it was at present rather than alter the position. It was noticeable that when the railways had been pushed past certain dead end towns in the North Island they had ceased to be. as important as they had previously been, with the result that much of the trade they had possessed was lost to them. Mr Stewart: If we all thought with Mr Staples there would be no progress in the Dominion. He thought that it would be a sad state of affairs if the Government refused to construct railways because of the reason advanced by Mr Staples. In answer to a question as to whether the Sumner people had been pressing for 6uch a bridge the chairman said that so far as he knew the matter had not been mooted to them. A member suggested that the Canterbury Automohile Association, the Redcliffs and the Sumner Burgesses' Associations should be "approached _in the matter, with a view to soliciting their support. Mr K. T. Lees said that as the Sumner and Redcliffs people were short of playing grounds they would probably give the proposal their support. In answer to a question, Mr Stewart said that in 1912 it was. estimated that a bridge 10 feet wide would cost £3798, and one 15 feet in width £7BIB. . In answer to a further question as to" the probable length of the bridge, he stated that if it extended only to Shag Rock the length would be about six chains, the remaining distance being filled in, but if beyond that the length would be something like nine chains. Mr E. A. Langford: I should like to know if Mr Stewart is sure that the Government will foot the bill. It is a question of finance. Mr Stewart: No; I am afraid I cannot do that. I quite agree with you that unless the Government does so it is useless, going on with the scheme. Sumner and Brighton are quite heavily enough rated, but I am told that a scheme of this sort will appeal to the Government. If you don't ask you will get nothing, you know. Mr T. Curtis suggested that if sufficient funds were not available for the purpose a ferry should be built for the transport of motor-ears across the Estuary. He stated that opposition was likely to come from yachting organisations if a bridge was constructed which did not give a clearance of ahout 30 feet. A member condemned the suggestion made by the previous sneaker, stating that of a Sunday 30 such ferries would be kept busy. After further discussion - a committee was set up as stated.