Paremata Bridge

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 111, 4 February 1935, Page 11

Paremata Bridge

Sir, —I have read this morning a letter in your paper signed “A Fooled Ratepayer,” on the subject of the Paremata bridge. - , . There is no doubt that, on the occasion of the forthcoming poll for the new ferroconcrete bridge and main highway into Plimmerton, there must be a small irresponsible opposition. I have watched your correspondence columns, and, in no single instance has an opponent to the Paremata bridge had tne courage to sign his name, and the rMepayers of Plimmerton and Pukerua Lay understand'that the letters which have appeared in your, paper, opposing the bridge are written by two or three opponents. ~ _ The ratepayers, at the poll on June -J, by 91 per cent, of the voters, expressed their determination to secure direct access to Plimmerton and Pukerua Bay, and my association feels that there will be a no less majority at the poll on the 13th inst., for the reason that the ratepayers know that the Main Highways Board and the Hutt County Council’s . proposal is tremendously more in their interest, and an overwhelming majority of the ratepayers will prove on. February 13 that tlie free bridge is better than the toll bridge for all concerned. The toll bridge served its purpose. It was, at the tiine, the best possible, but the result of the poll on June 29 last demonstrated so clearly the necessity for the bridge, that the Ingh Government authorities concerned determined to make their present magnificent offer to the Hutt County Council, to give the district a free bridge and dispose with the ton altogether. , Incidentally, as it was ultimately decided to construct the road by contract instead of relief labour, the amount of the original loan was about £4OOO short It would, therefore, have meant that not onlv would there have been a toll on the bridge, but the ratepayers would have had to pay a rate on the £4OOO. Moreover, the whole of the responsibility of the toll bridge and road was on the ratepayers the present scheme passes 7o per cent, of the responsibility to the Slain Hignwavs Board. . . . . Your correspondent, without signing his name, has not failed to attack the chairman of the Hutt County Council (Sir. D. R. Hoggard) and the councillor for the riding (Mr. K. L. Button). ' These' twfl gentlemen command the highest respect of all who know them, and it is gratifying to know that there is a movement in England to amend the law to safeguard from attack public men who are giving their time in the public interest. When this law is amended, there is no doubt that it will be a useful law to copy in New Zealand. L The absurdity of the figures referred to by your correspondent are not wortii notice. The ratepayers will, however,, appreciate that nearly 200 of them will pav in rates approximately jd. per week,. another 100 a little over Id.; and most of those ratepayers who own cars WIH pav less in rates than they now pay tor petrol because of the long, circuitous route.-I am, etc., MOLLBRWellington, February 2.