POSTPONEMENT URGED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 15, 15 December 1932, Page 4

POSTPONEMENT URGED

PROPOSED NEAV BRIDGE. OROUA RIVER CROSSING. Inquiries as to whether it was the intention of the Pohangina County Council to proceed in the near future with the work of erecting the proposed bridge over the Oroua River at Te Awa were made at the monthly meeting yesterday by the Kiwitea County Council. The estimated cost of the bridge is £3600, df which the Kiwitea County has promised to find £6OO, the remainder of the cost to be borne jointly £1 for £1 bv the Pohangina County and the Public Works Department.

“In view of the economic depression,” stated the Kiwitea County Council, “we consider that the time is not opportune for local bodies to carry out new works, and therefore trust that your council will see its wav to defer consideration of the proposal for at least two years.”

Cr. T. Craine urged that the work be expedited, as it could be carried out las cheaply now as ever it would be. ! They had battled for it for six years, and the ratepayers who wanted the bridge were paving for it. The cost to the Kiwitea Counfv would he only £6OO, spread over the whole county. “I am s.orrv to sound a. disappointing note to those ratepayers wanting the bridge.” stated Cr. AV. Howell, who added that the chairman of the Kiwitea County Council had suggested that the matter might he reviewed and the building of the bridge postponed fo’- a year. Til? Kiwitea County anticipated finishing this year with a debit balance, and a difficulty in collecting the rotes next year. The Kiwitea County had no intention of going back un.on their promise to contribute, but the Pohangina. County should give the matter very mature consideration. The burden would lie on the land for years. Although a section of the ratepayers was willing to assume the re- ' sDonsibilitv, it was the duty of the 1 County Council to take a long view land to decide whether the land oniild [meet its obligations for all time. The i council, however, had no intention of •letting down Cr. Craine, the riding | representative i Cr Craine: Oh. no! A’ou have all j been most enthusiastic about it. I Cr. Howell appealed to Cr. Craine ito view the matter in the same snirit !of mature consideration as himself. I “AA’e have done a great deal of prejliniinarv work and so far we have only £2OO in sight with which to make a start,” said the chairman (Cr. S. .T. Strahan) who added that the ma.tter i might well be deferred in the meantime. C r . Craine pointed out that the major part of the cost would he home bv the special rating area at Te Awa. The bridge should have been built years ago. and £6OO would not embarrass the Kiwitea County. The ratepayers of the district we re determined to push ahead with the project, j The chai''man : AA’ould you be in favour of holding over the matter for ja further month to secure an amicable j arrangement ? I Cr. Crr.ine: T know my ratepayers’ view of the matter, hut T am willing |to consult them. They are paying the i piper. | Cr. Howell pointed nut that 70 per jeent. of the estimated cost was for i materials. | Cr. .T. AfoKenzie stated that the | position might arise in the future of •the properties being mortgaged to the i Government, and then tlmre was the j question of future maintenance, j The chwirman: The county would be j responsible fo- that. i Cr. AfcKenz'e: Supposing one of the 'ratepayers in the area, defaulted, i It was pointed out that in this event j the burden would fall on tlie remainder lof tlie settlers in tlie special area. | Cr. T. Close innuired if tlmre was , any likelihood of the approaches to tlin bridge being washed away. The enginee- (AH D. AVatson) said 'ii Hn<l l»pen clesienerl to r°si?t that., i Cr. C-abie • stated that protection j work had been undertaken some veays ago with a view to having the bridge lmilt. | The 'h.airnian said certain necessary preliminary arrangements h°d not been completed and they should he in •io lurry to call tenders. Cr. Howell said his attitude towards he matter was not one of opposition, of of postponement. rt was d ooiflo<l. on the motion o» the hnirma-n. I>v Ch\ .TToavoll. to VJd over the matter pending further onsultation with the Kiwitea County ■aprpsentntivcs and the parties direct-, v concerned.