BRIDGING THE WAIHOU RIVER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12000, 24 June 1902, Page 3

BRIDGING THE WAIHOU RIVER.

A MEETING of settlers to consider what steps should be taken to have, a bridge, built, across the Waihou River at Mangaiti was held in Te Aroha on. Saturday night. There was a representative gathering, and the chair was taken by Mr. A. Bowler. The convener of the meet-ins (Mr. F. .Strange) stated that in consequence of the growth of the district the punt at present in use had become quite inadequate to cope, with the traffic. Especially was this so since the establishment of the Maugaiti creamery. Over a thousand tons of stuff per annum were being taken over the river in the punt. -In addition to their contributions through rates, the settlers were prepared to subscribe a portion of the cost of a bridge. He proposed, "That the meeting affirm the necessity of the work." This was carried unanimously. The Chairman, who is a member of the Ohinemuri County Council, explained that the state of the Councils finances prevented the undertaking of expensive work at present. There was a large overdraft, and the revenue had been decreased one-half by the creation of the Waihi borough. The only plan would )« for the Council to raise a special loan, to cover which a special rate would have to be levied on the Waitoa riding. The money now spent in maintaining the punt would pay interest on such a loan as would lie needed. A committee, consisting of Messrs. F. Strange, J. B. Johnson, W. Iletheriugton, and Brown,*was set up to deal with the matter and report to a future meeting of settlers. The committee met and drew up the following petition, to be signed by the settlers and forwarded to the Ofainemnri County Council:— We, the undersigned ratepayers of the Waitoa riding of the Ohinemuri County, respectfully request your Council to authorise your engineer to inspect the site for a bridge across the Waihou River at Mangaiti, and to form estimates for the work. The present means of crossing the river at that spot are quite inadequate to deal with the traffic.—[Own Correspondent.]