WAIKOHU TRAFFIC BRIDGE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2115, 25 June 1907, Page 1

WAIKOHU TRAFFIC BRIDGE

AN EXPLANATION. In connection with his roinnrks «< tlio Inst meeting of tlio Cook County Council regarding _ tlio question nil Greeting n traffic bridge over tlie Wii i kolm, Sir. W. D. S. Macdonald writes:— The position was that about a year ago they sent- a petition to the Conn ty Council, asking the Council to write to the Minister of Public Work;; asking if the Department would con sent wholl -building the bridge over the Waikohu at Willows crossing -til build a combined railway anil traffic bridge. Tlio Public Works Depart: mont’s reply was that they would build a combined railway and traffic bridge if the Council would contribute £IOOO towards tlie cost and pey 2s 'fill nor foot per annum maintenance This'was agreed to by the Council on condition that’tlio ratepayers interested raised .tlio £IOOO by special loan. Tlio settlers of Motu and Rakauroa immediately took steps -to raise tlie loan, and were notified manv months ago that the loan win: granted and the money available. At a meeting of the County Council a letter was sent from the Public Works Department, asking them to guarantee £9ls—the Council’s proportion to the construction of the bridge, and also a guarantee to pay 2s Gel jier foot per annum maintenance, and the salary of-one or more signalmen at a salary of £llO per annum. Mr. Eraser’s estimate for a separate .traffic bridge was £2OOO. So it was obvious that the offer of the Department was of no value, and that it was very much cheaper for the settlors to raise, an additional 1 11000 and erect a separate traffic bridge, which was what I stated at the Council meeting—not that it would be cheaper to save the money for a. separate bridge.