BRIDGE RATE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 60, Issue 4312, 2 August 1950, Page 12

BRIDGE RATE

MEETING AT THE BAY

RATEPAYERS ATTEND

POSITION FULLY EXPLAINED

There was a good attendance of ratepayers at the public hall, Whitianga, when the chairman of the Coromandel County Council, Mr Deeble, the county clerk, Mr J. H. Lucas, and Cr. T. V. Whittle addressed a meeting in support of the proposed bridge rate. Mr J. S. Bongard was in the chair.

Mr Deeble said that the present financial position of the council was extremely difficult, as revenue reserved for maintenance was not sufficient to lift the Government subsidy relevent to bridge replacements. Should the bridge rate be carried, the money would be kept in a separate account, to be used only for the purpbse stated. Cr Whittle outlined the powers of the council and stressed the point that the present system of financing bridge replacemnt out of ordinary revenue was no longer practical. He thought that if struck at a id in the £l, for two years, the bridge rate should eventually allow some reduction on the general rate. ’

Outlining the state of bridges in the county, Mr Lucas said that of a total of 113, 56 needed attention from repairs to reconstruction. The proposed bridge rate would amount to approximaely £l5OO per annum. Any major works could be financed by a separate loan which would be a charge on the bridge account to the extent of the interest and sinking fund only. Both Mr Deeble and Mr Lucas made a point of stating that the two priority bridges were in the Kuaotunu riding. Replying to a question as to whether the bridge rate revenue would be spent lin respective ridingk, Councillor Whittle said that bridges would be taken in order of their urgency irrespective of where situated, probably on the report of a competent engineer.

Mr N. >A. Wells pointed out that Main Highway SOD, from Whitfanga to Coromandel, was a tremendous liability, \ and suggested l that a main highway via Moewai and Whangapoua would be a benefit to the whqle county as well as eliminating eight bridges, all of which were included in the 5'6 schedule to be reconstructed.

Cr Whittle remarked that any saving of bridges without sacrificing road mileage was worthy of the utmost consideration. Mr Lucas informed the meeting that the route from Whitianga to Whangapoua had not been dedicated and until the bridge rate was in operation the council had no funds to carry the project further. Mr Deeble assured the meeting that he would go into the matter fully at the Main Highways Board meeting which would be held in the near future.

A vote of thanks was accorded the visitors for addressing the meeting and to the chair.