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Clutha Leader, Volume I, Issue 33, 25 February 1875, Page 5

The alarm felt by certain parties about the transfer of the Clutha Bridge to the Town Council would be very touching if it were not so ridiculous. It may not be generally known that other parties beside the Council have had their eye on this property for some time. It is stated, with what amonnt of truth we are not prepared to vouch, that an enterprising Tokomairiro publisher having-' already rashly speculated in a coal mine, had an eye on the Clutha Bridge, with a view of persuading the Government that the structure was in a state of decay, and then buying it up at the price of old timber. It is said to have been his intention afterwards to replenish his funds by levying a toll of a bawbee a piece on foot-pas-sengers, beside raising the ordinary rates to a more remunerative figure. Pleasant prospect, certainly, for the Balclutha folks. Hence, no doubt, the frantic way with which the ' Bruce Herald ', neglecting alike the interests of Tokomairiro and the Real Mackay Coal Quarry, hastened to denounce the action of the Town Council. We trust that at the public meeting to be held here on tlie subject, the good sense of the ratepayers will prevail, and that they will take such steps as will spcure the bridge in their own hands, . so that they may have the power at any time of making it what all such properties ought to be— a Free Bridge^ — — — — —^"^— —^m