BRIDGING THE WAIRAU.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 270, 16 November 1909, Page 2

BRIDGING THE WAIRAU.

ELABORATE PLANS

DISCUSSION BY PELORUS ROAD

BOARD

CONFERENCE OF LOCAL BODIES NEXT SATURDAY.

Very opportunely on Friday there came to hand Mr Williams' plans for the pronosed bridge across the Wairau River at Renwick. A sp^Mal meeting of the Pelorus'Road Board had been called for Friday afternoon, and members were gratified at being able to learn the details of the construction of the bridge and its probable cost. The .plans are most elaborately drawn, Mr Williams having apparently gone to a great deal "of-, pains to make them complete in all details. Accompanying the plans is the following extract from Mr! Williams' report to the Chief Engineer of Roads and Bridges:— .. "The bridge is to be built of rinxed Australian hardwood timber and ironbark piles. The spans will be 25 feet from centre to centre, the piles to be driven to the depths shown. on the plans, and the superstructure consists of stringers, decking, and handrail as shown.

"The plans refer to the upper site, and this, in my opinion, is the most suitable one to adopt. The length of the proposed bridge will be 2225 feet by 14 feet in width over-all, Jeering 13 feet clear working measurement for traffic. ■"I estimate the whole work, including approaches, protective works, culverts, etc., at £11,482 14s 7d. "Protective Works.—On the north side I have allowed for ten chains of retaining wall to be constructed of boulders secured with wire-netting, made of No. 7 galvanised steer wire, lift 6in at base, 6ft in height, 3ft ■wide on top to protect the bank, the retaining wall to be built with one. slope, inside plumb. The size of mesh to be 8 inches. Two* groynes also require to be built at positions shown o,n plan No. 2 at points marked C, C, and D, D. These to be 20ft at base 3ft wide on top, 6ft m height. The total length of grdynes on north side to be 4 chains 50 links. On south side: Retaining walls 40 chains in length 6ft in height, lift 6in at base, to protect banks, same as above. Groynes: Six chains^, in length, 20ft at base, 6ft in height, 3ft wide on top, made of boulders, secured with wire-netting; No. 7 galvanised steel wire to be used, 8-inch mesh. All the above work to be securely braced 'with No. 7 wire, three wires twisted as cables, longitudinally and transversely 2ft 6in apart. I have estimated the cost of groynes in position, including making netting, at £20 per chain, and for retaining wall at £15 per chain. ' 'Bridge Approaches.—Formation to be 17 chains in length, 18ft in width, batter li to 1 in banks, and \to 1 in -cutting. Two shillings per cubic yard has been allowed for this work. Culverts.—One concrete arch culvert, 4ft by 4ft by 30ft in length, will require to be constructed, estimated to cost £45, also one concrete pipe culvert, 12in in diameter, 33ft in length, estimated to cost £6 12s. "I had intended that the proposed bridge should be 30chains in length, but having seen the river in flood I do not think it will be advisable to have a lesser waterway than I have provided. Any reduction under this heading may !ead to litigation, which should be avoided. I have marked on plan No. 2 in red ink on the western side of the ferryman's house, by letter E, the position of a proposed ■ groyne, 6 chains in length. At this point it is necessary to divert the flow of the water of the Opawa River toward the centre of the riverbed, and thus protect the land known as Fox's Island, from being washed away. "I Would suggest that the lecal body,•: namely, the Spring Creek Hoad Board, be communicated with on the matter, and they be informed of the danger. I have not completed the estimate of the proposed bridge at the lower ; sjte, but will do so as soon ag possible." .--r *-:After - thoroughly examining : the plans, and having the details explained by Mr Matthews^ the Board's inspector, the Chairman invited discussion on NThe subject of "bridging; the river. He contended that the bridge could not be satisfactorily financed, for there would not be any money from the Government until the bridge was completed. Those who initiated the new bridge at Spring Creek had to ibecome individually responsible for the cost, and now the Government had practically repudiated any liability for the cost in excess of the contract price. The position would be the same in the case of the proposed bridge, and if the Board initiated proceedings they would hare to "pay the piper." Mr Fulton said he had no inten-

tion of becoming liable for anything, but he. considered that the Pelorus Board, being the principal interested party, should initiate proceedings. Mr Storey: It doesn't really matter who starts the ball rolling, because I may tell you that the bridge will eventually be built at the lower Mr Fulton innocently asked: Do you think, then, that it will be hashed down from the upper site? (Laughter.) _ _ Mr Storey said it wj^s very likely. Referring to Mr Williams' estimate, he said that the price worked out at about £4 3s per foot, whereas the Board had not been able to get bridges built under about £10 per foot. Mr Nees said he believed that, the Board should take the initiative,' and proposed that they, do so, that they ask for a conference of local bodies, and appoint delegates to attend. With regard to Mr Storey's fear that the Government would not advance any money, he thought the Government had shown themselves quite earnest in this matter, and the Board should be guided by their past experience "' of "■ generous Government treatment in the building of bridges. He proposed that Messrs Hodgson and Crispin be appointed to represent the Board at the conference of local, bodies. Mr Fulton said he would second the proposal if the Chairman's name were added to the list. The Chairman said' he must decline, as he would be going to Wellington as a member of a deputation to advocate the lower site. Mr Hodgson suggested that three delegates be sent, and that Mr Nees be the third.

Mr Fulton advised waiting to see if another Board would take the lead; he understood that the Omaka Board were indifferent whether they or the Pelorus Board assumed control. <. , Mr Crispin said, the Board should !<make haste slowly." They had not heard whether the Government would give even sixpence towards the bridge. The Board had a big load to j catry now, as well as heavy metal-j ling work to face, and if they took j the initiative in this matter they^ would have to finance it. ,He thought the decision should be left to the conterence. Regarding Mr Williams' estimate, he thought it too low, and that another £2000 should be added to it; he had never yet known of a bridge that was built at the contract price. The Omaka Board were in a better 'position than were the Pelorus Board, and would prove a good ally in the matter. Mr Nees: Why not build a bridge and charge a toll? That would relieve the local bodies of any special rate. Mr Fulton was strongly in favour of a toll. By this means the passenger traffic from and to Nelson woitld have.'to pay though they .could not be included in the allocation of the cost. • Mr Hodgson said he had always believed it would be, necessary to impose atoll. _ . Mr Ne.es then altered his proposal to^read:' "That a conference of local bodies be, held in Blenheim, that Messrs Ilbdg3on, Crispin, and himself be the Board's representatives, and that the question of initiating proceed] ngs be decided by the conference.'' \ The Chairman asked if.it w;as the wish of the members that the delegates be empowered to pledge the Board to take the initiative, and on being assured by the other members that it was he said he would strongly oppose li. Mr Nees urged that the Board had a splendid opportunity of at last having this dangerous river bridged, and they should not neglect it. If they did, they would probably never get' such another chance, for there was now a Minister for Public Works who.took an interest in the matter.' The proposal was then put and carried, ; the Chairman not voting. The Secretary was instructed, to notify the Boards interested— : namely, the Wairau?, Picton, Omaka, Awatere and Spring Creeks Road Boards; the Blenheim 1 and Picton Borough Councils, and the Havelock Town Board— of the Board's action, rand invite them to attend a conference ajt Blenheim at 11 a.m. on Saturday, 20th November. It was agreed that the meeting be held without to any of the Boards represented, in view of the fact that any or all may not be agreeable to contribute to the cost of a bridge, and that eventually each Board's share will have to be determined by a Commission.— Pelorus Guardian.