THE GORGE.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2076, 17 March 1922, Page 5

THE GORGE.

BOARD OF CONTROL, The Manawatu Norge Road Boan of Control met in Palmerston Nortl yesterday, Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., pro siding. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT. The chairman reported as follows: ‘Since our last meeting our positloi financially has improved. Governmen subsidies amounting to £1(134 liavt been received. The enclosed statemen shows an estimated credit balance foi March 31st of £470, the outstanding amounts owing by local authorities being £7lO, but it is anticipated tha' the amounts will be paid before tin end of the present month. If so, . propose to ask the Board to give nn authority to make a further paymeir of £3OO to £330 to Messrs Silver am Co. in reduction of the £550 owing tc them in spread payments. We shal then be able to end up the year will: a small credit balance. If the conference will agree to the proposed lour of. £20,000, the money can then be raised by way of loan and thus relieve the local bodies of the heavy annua; charge. I think the Board should alsc consider the widening of a very dangerous turn where a car belonging tc a Palmerston North firm went ovei unite recently at the entrance on the Palmerston side of the Gorge.” The engineer reported the work ir connection with the repairing of the bridge had been completed with the exception of painting. The bridge would last for many years to come, The total amount expended on this work was, to the end of March, £1438 12/2. The painting was estimated al £2OO and proposed asphalting of the decking £IOO. The total expenditure on the road had been £2729 7/10. Cement shed, workmen’s quarters and blacksmith’s shop had been erected, the road had been widened at 14 points involving the blasting and excavating of 3455 cubic yards of rock. There were six men (inclusive of foreman) employed on the whole work, and included two maintenance men. It was decided to carry out the asphalting of the upper bridge at a cost of £IOO. The engineer was instructed to procure estimates for a concrete mixer.