PIPIROA BRIDGE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 58, Issue 4119, 30 March 1949, Page 12

PIPIROA BRIDGE

CONTINUED EFFORTS COMPLAINTS ABOUT FERRY THAMES COMMERCE CHAMBER The Thames Chamber of Commerce does not intend to rest in its efforts to have the work on the proposed Pipiroa bridge begun. At the February meeting of the chamber, letters stating that the test piles would be driven and plans completed, as soon as possible, were received, but it was considered that further steps should be taken by the chamber. The chairman, Mr A. G. T. Bryan, said that it had been about three months since word had been received that the lifting span was not needed, add since then nothing had been done at the site. Mr H. T. Gallop pointed out that “ that outrageous contraption of a ferry ” had been out of action for about a week, and that that should help to indicate the need for the bridge. t Mr Bryan suggested that the chamber should draw the attention of the Works Department to the periodical closing of the ferry, which was apparently necessary but which caused much inconvenience. The approaches to the ferry were awkward, and should be attended to, Mr Bryan continued. He thought that the district engineer should be asked to inform the chamber of the present position of the design and plans of the proposed bridge and that as the district had waited 25 years for the construction of the bridge, it should be given first priority for such structures in this district of .the Works Department. The completion of the plans should be treated as urgent, Mr Bryan said. He stated that the Coromandel Chamber of Commerce had written authorising the Thames Chamber of Commerce* to use its views in presenting the claims of this district for a bridge at Pipiroa to the Minister of Works, the Hon. R. Semple, when a deputation meets him to discuss the bridge. The meeting decided to act on Mr Bryap’s suggestion, and write to the Works Department’s office in Hamilton to learn what the present position was. Mr Bryan said he thought that tjiat would “ keep things moving.”