BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 120, 22 April 1931, Page 7

BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION.

FITZHERBERT OR RANGITANE? CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SUGGESTION. A bridge at Rangitane in preference to the proposed structure at tho end of Fitzherbert Avenue was suggested at the meeting of the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce yesterday by Mr R. V. Mason. Mr Mason was of the opinion that a new Fitzherbert Avenue bridge was not so necessary as a bridge at Rangitane, which would give many settlers easy access to the city; and, moreover, never during flood time had the road been under water on the Rangitane route.

Mr J. Wallace contended that the Fitzherbert bridge was the natural outlet to, Pahiatua and the Wairarapa and Wellington. A new structure had been talked of for the past fifteen years, and now that it was within sight it would he a pitv if anything were done that would divert consideration of the location. Mr Wallace stressed the fact that even though the bridge at the end of the avenue were repaired, the eventual repairs might be very costly, and the city’s water supply and the future of such an important institution as Massey College were dependent on this route. The present condition of the bridge was such that motorists and children could not use it with any freedom. Mr Mason then suggested a motion to the effect that the authorities concerned be requested to explore the position from all angles before reaching finality. Mr Wallace: It would be a great pity to stop the Fitzherbert bridge being put through. Both bridges are a necessity of tho future, but Fitzherbert should come first. Mr Oram: We do not want to do anything detrimental to Palmerston North—anything dangerous. The discussion then lapsed, and there was no motion put.