Bridges Loan Inevitable

Northern Advocate, 27 May 1938, Page 2

Bridges Loan Inevitable

The Minister of Public Works, writing to the Mangonui County Council with regard to the proposal that the council should be permitted to make its contribution towards the cost of concrete bridges and culverts on the Awanui-Mangonui Road in equal annual instalments, said this presented difficulties and he was unable to give his consent.

The only course for the council was to raise a loan. What had been proposed by the council was equivalent to a loan from the Public Works Department and there was no authority for that,

Cr. Matthews: The matter is urgent and whatever is done will have to be done soon and if a loan is to be raised it may be as well to increase the amount so that other bridges can be included.

Cr. Barriball: If a poll is taken over the whole county and other bridges included, there will be some hope of carrying it.

The chairman: It will mean, an estimate of what is required throughout the county and that is a big proposition. What would be required during the next five years should be included. There would be no hope of carrying a loan for the Awanui-Mangonui Road only. It was decided to obtain an estimate of the cost of all important bridges needed throughout the county with a view to taking a poll on a Joan proposal.

The clerk said it would bo necessary for the council to raise, in addition. £689 as its contribution towards the cost of repairing flood damage.