The Star. Delivered every evening by 5 o'clock in Hawera, Manaia, Normanby, Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Awatuna, Opunake, Otakeho, Manutahi, Alton, Hurleyville, Patea, Waverley. MONDAY, JUNE 16, 1913. THE STORY OF A BRIDGE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXV, Issue LXV, 16 June 1913, Page 4

The Star. Delivered every evening by 5 o'clock in Hawera, Manaia, Normanby, Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Awatuna, Opunake, Otakeho, Manutahi, Alton, Hurleyville, Patea, Waverley. MONDAY, JUNE 16, 1913. THE STORY OF A BRIDGE.

Fourteen years ago a bridge was erected across the Patea river on tha Rawhitiroa road inland from Eltham. It was one of those works carried out on the co-operative, system, so much u»favor at that time, but ' subsequent events have proved that it was anything but a success —hi actual fact it I has proved to have been a great waste of public money. To the casual observer to-dJi.y the bridge appears to be in good order, and it was not until a week or two ago that its actual condition was discovered. The county engineer found it necessary to make some repairs to a side-railing, but when ho came to bolt on the new pieces of timber he found the Original timber was so rotten that it would not cany the bolts. This led to an examination of the structure generally, and it was discovered Ihat the whole of the timber had absolutely rotted away from the inside, arm it was only the outside coating of paint which gave the appearance of soundness. It is said that, at the time of the erection of this bridge, there was good totara available at no great distance from the site, but not-I withstanding this sappy rimu was used. The result is that to-day, after only fourteen years, this expensive .structure is in a hopeless condition, and the Eltham County Council is faced with an expenditure of between £2000 and £3000 for the erection of a new bridge. There is so much county lying belond t^^ Patea. river that a l.ri.ljie is an absolute necessity at. this site, and it sneins a particularly strong case to present to the Government ■ with a request for a subsidy of £ for £. Had the original bridge been f..Hi.f;;!ly constructed with suitable i.isn!; ■■> it woul'i have been in good condition to-day, and , the Eltham County C'-juncil shoui ! not

have beer- called upon to face this extraordinarily heavy expenditure a£ such an inopportune time. Furthermore, the Government has a great deal of land in the Omona County, the outlet for which must be over the road in Question and this in itself is a strong argument for a subsidy. Mr Wilkinson is to be asked to represent the position to the Cabinet, and he will doubtless present the ca.se very thoroughly. Seldom has there come under notice a worse case of wasting public mouev. and it ought not to be too late for an enquiry into the matter.