WATER BOARD FUNDS

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 16, 13 October 1933, Page 6

WATER BOARD FUNDS

Revenue From Opossums EXTRA GRANT FOR BRIDGE Last year the Wellington City and Suburban Water Supply Board received no revenue from the leasing of opossum trapping rights on the areas under its control, and it was not until after the meeting of the Board in June that it was known the Government did not intend to declare a close season. The City Connell, thereupon, gave instructions for the renewal of the leases, and at the meeting of the Water Board yesterday it was reported that the result was a • net revenue of £172/18/-. That sum was more than was anticipated. The position was considered very satisfactory, especially in view of the fact that subsequently the Board was in a position to increase by £5O its grant towards the cost of building the New Whiteman’s Bridge at Karapoti. The question of building the new bridge near Campbell’s Mill had been before the Board for 18 months said the chairman (Mr. H. A. Huggins), who presided in the absence of the Mayor (Mr. T. C. A. Hislop). At the last meeting the Board agreed to contribute £175, half of the total cost of £350 as then estimated, and left the City engineer to go on with the work. The engineer now found that If a bridge was to be erected strong enough to meet the demands of the heavy traffic it would be called upon to bear, it would cost £5OO. Seeing that the Board had obtained £172 from the opossum rights he thought. It might give another £5O beyond the original guarantee, as it would be better to have a bridge which would last rather than have to build another one in ten or fifteen years. He moved that another £5O be granted and that the amended plans be approved. Mr. E. W. Wise, Mayor of Eastbourne, seconded. Mr. W. V. Dyer (Hutt County) said the matter had given his council gome anxiety, for the area was one In which a lot of rates had been lost, while there was a lot of traffic on the road. It was thought that with the additional cost the idea of building the new bridge would have to be abandoned, but arrangements had been made for the payment of the Hutt County contribution if the Board agreed to contribute an extra £5O. The bridge was necessary for the timber trade, and now that royalties were coming in the major troubles would disappear when the bridge had been built. The motion was carried unanimously.