COLLAPSE OF BRIDGE FEARED: KOKATAHI SETTLERS COMPLAIN

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 August 1948, Page 7

COLLAPSE OF BRIDGE FEARED: KOKATAHI SETTLERS COMPLAIN

The condition of the Kokatahi bridge, which is now regarded as being likely to collapse at any time, was the subject of a deputation to the Westland County Council this week. The deputation comprised representatives of the district settlers, returned servicemen, Women’s Institute and the milling and dairying industries. After speakers had pointed out that the collapse of the bridge would isolate a large area of a highlydeveloped farming district, it was agreed by the engineer, Mr Clark, that the bridge was in a deplorable state, and he explained that, as far as the Main Highways Board was concerned, it was third on the list of priority for new bridges in New Zealand. It was, he admitted, beyond repair. In an effort to obtain an early decision to proceed with the construction of a new bridge, the council decided that a deputation headed by the county chairman, Cr M. Wallace, and including the engineer and representatives of the Kokatahi district, travel to Wellington to seek an interview with the Minister of Works, Mr Semple, as soon as possible.