THE MANGERE BRIDGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14692, 29 May 1911, Page 8

THE MANGERE BRIDGE.

CONSTRUCTION APPROVED.

A" FERRO-CONCRETE STRUCTURE.

or many years past the Mangero bridge j has proved a sort of bone of contention ; between Onehuuga and Mangero, which, districts it also connects. Many meetings have been held on both sides of the harbour, and many conferences have taken place, all with a view to securing a new structure instead of the present Mange re bridge (which is now fallen into decay). At ono time everything seemed in line for the speedy construction of a ferroconcrete bridge, and then Mr. J. E. Taylor camo along with an embankment and lock scheme. Arguments were raised for and against the scheme, and expert opinion was obtained by the parties interested. An estimate was received from Mr. M. R. Creagh, C.E. for an embankment 40ft wide, or 10ft wider than Mr. Taylor's proposal, and the amount was stated at £14.586. while for a 30ft scheme ho quoted £13,260. Messrs. Richo and Roche estimated the cost of a 40ft embankment at £17,700. Each of these estimates were well under £20,000. A resolution was then carried in its favour, and it was thought that the bridge difficulty had been, finally overcome. Other estimates, however, were obtained by those opposed to tho embankment scheme. The Public Works engineer (Mr. R. W. Holmes) reported that the embankment and lock would run into £30,000, while Mr. W. H. Hainer (Auckland Harbour engineer) was | not far behind with an estimate of £27,000. Mangero set up a committee to investigate, and the result was a report favourable to the embankment at a cost of £17,700, or under. Orie'hunga was not altogether satisfied, and sought a report from Mr. H. H. Metcalfe (borough engineer). He submitted that tho 40ft embankment as suggested would entail an expenditure of £103,000. | The reception of the latter figures killed the embankment proposal so' far as the Council was concerned. A small public meeting at Onehunga subsequently decided in favour of the embankment, but the scheme made no further headway until tho recent annual meeting of the Mangere Road Board, when a resolution was carried in favour of tho old ferro-concreto proposal, with an instruction for the Board to meet the Onehunga Borough Council and discuss the question once more. On Fri- ' day evening the conference took place, when Mr. 11. F. Moore's forro-concrete bridge scheme was approved of, and he was instructed .to submit plans aud an estimate of the cost of such a structure, 30ft wide.