PAREMATA BRIDGE PROPOSAL

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 114, 7 February 1935, Page 8

PAREMATA BRIDGE PROPOSAL

Minister’s Comment on Board’s Offer lu a reply to the Taupo Riding Affiance Committee on the question of the Paremata bridge, Air. D. R. Hoggard, chairman of the Hutt County Council, said yesterday that the committee evidently misapprehended the practice of the Alain Highways Board. The board did not assume the whole financial burden in connection with main highways —even those which had been in existence for many years. • Air. Hoggard said he had received the following letter from the Minister of Public Works, Hon. J. Bitchener:— “Further to the interview you had me yesterday and your inquiry as to whether any assistance additional to that already offered, your council could be expected towards the cost of the proposed Paremata bridge and road to Plimmerton, I have to advise that as previously indicated to you I am unable to assist the project from funds under my control, nor does there seem any prospect that even in the future the pi-oposal would become one which could be entertained by my department. The assistance already offered your council, and on which your present loan proposals are based, was offered by the Alajn Highways Board. In my view that offer can only be regarded as generous, and it provides a splendid opportunity for the ratepayers of the Taupo riding to obtain this facility at a minimum cost to themselves. I have been informed by the chairman of the Alain Highways Board that there would be no prospect of the board offering a more liberal’ Contribution, por would it appear that any greater assistance could rightly be expected by your| ratepayers.”