BRIDGING THE WAIRAU.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18355, 22 March 1923, Page 8

BRIDGING THE WAIRAU.

QUESTION OF A PETITION.

The commission appointed by the Government to inquire into the questions at issue between the Takapuna Borough Council and the Waitemata County Council as to the bridging of Wairau Creek, on the boundary of *. the two bodies, was expected to begin his inquiry this week. It has, however, been aramged that the proceedings shall be adjourned until June 5 The Mayor of Takapuna, Mr. A. M. Gould, stated last evening that a vaguely-worded and misleading petition was being circulated in the borough with regard to the bridge question, and he had learned from persons who had signed it that they had done so merely as an expression of sympathy with residents beyond the creek, not knowing that the* petition would be used as a means of fixing a liability upon the borough. None of those to whom he had spoken was prepared to justify the claim of the Waitemata County that TaLapuna Borough should contribute half the cost. He thought it regrettable that such petitions should be put before the ratepayers in such circumstances. The order of reference of the commission opened up the whole question of co3t and site. The borough solicitor had been instructed to oppose the erection of a bridge in the position proposed by the County Council, on the ground that it would be an obstruction of the estuary, and would be needlessly expensive and excessively high in annual charges; also that he oppose the payment by Takapuna of any contribution toward the cost of the structure. It was decided that the council visit" the proposed Bite at an early. date.