Mangonui Seeks Bridge Loan

Northern Advocate, 22 July 1938, Page 3

Mangonui Seeks Bridge Loan

i u-'rotn Our Own Correspondent.*. KAITAIA, This Day. I A £ I.l).tun) loan is hi be sought tor ! replacing bridges in the Mangonui I County. The matter was fully dis- ! cussed at the council meeting on Wedi ntsday when the engineer. Mr W. R. i Torrie. stated that he had estimated ! the cost of necessary bridge replaceI meats on main highways in the next j five or iO years at £24.000, of which I the county would have to find £B4OO. ! Cn riding and main roads the cost of j replacements would be £20.000. of i which the council’s share would be j £14,000. j Cr. L. J. Matthews thought the ■ council should raise a loan for ex- ■ penditure over the 10 years, the ; money to be lilted as required. Pay - ing' interest and. sinking fund charges I would probably be cheaper than i patching up bridges in a decaying | condition. | Tire clerk informed the council that a loan should be for £15,000, this in- ! eluding £B4OO for main highway bridge.-; £6OOO for riding bridges, and £6OO for flood damage. The engineer stated that his estimate provided for wooden structures only. Cr. Matthews favoured going ahead with the proposal over the whole county. “Position Must Be Faced.” Cr. F. Holder: We must face the position. I can see no alternative to a loan. Cr. J. N. Berghan; Maintaining many of these bridges is like hanging on to an old car. On the motion of Cr. Matthews, seconded by Cr. Holder, it was decided to seek a loan of £15,000. In addition the engineer was instructed to draw up detailed estimates of the replacement scheme. Cr. Hoskin: Provision should be made for two-way bridges on main highways. Cr. D. J. McKay said the council should keep on the safe side. .• j The engineer: Unless conditions change very much the estimate is on I the safe side. It was, however, the tendency for subsidies to be increased.