BRIDGE AT WEYMOUTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18495, 4 September 1923, Page 9

BRIDGE AT WEYMOUTH.

THE PROPOSAL DISCUSSED. KARAKA SETTLERS' COMMITTEE. Considerable interest in the proposal yp bridge the Papakura Channel at ; Weymouth, near Manure wa, was manifested at a meeting of Karaka' residents, held in the Te Hihi school yesterday. Mr. J. P. Kidd presided.

; Mr. :P. Roy,' convener of the,meeting:, explained i the ' proposal. -The bridge, he said, would bring Hho Karaka district a.'t least seven miles nearer by road to Auckland than it was at present. Some parts of tho. district would be. brought 12 miles nearer. The bridge would ..benefit Weymouth residents because' it would direct a great deal of traffic through, their ' district. He showed a map of- the Franklin County, on which the district that would directly benefit by tho bridge was marked. This area extended from the Waiuku River to the Whangamairo ; Creek, ; and from the Manukau Harbour to within about four miles of the PaerataWaiuku railway. l ■ The area was'aboat 23,000 acres. The bridge, ; said - Mr, Roy, would make it possible for the ]£araka district to supply milk to the city daily. Regarding the cost of the bridge* Roy said that an engineer had estimated it at £35,000. This provided for a structure 1500 ft.' long, arid wide' enough "for two carts to pass. He.. was very hopeful of getting a Government subsidy on any amount raised in the district. • About 12 years ago, when the bridge was first suggested, -Mr. - Massey had practically promised a subsidy) and ,he ,-thought that promise would still hold good. To raise the remainder of the •money-it would, be necessary to strike a rate, and this could be done. on. tho'principle of those most benefiting paying the; most.- .Ho estimated that a fiat rate of £d on the whole district would be' sufficient,' but a- Hat rate was not desirable. Discussion followed oh the necessity <or the ..bridge, most, of the speakers agreeing that it would be. an advantage to''."the district. ■ Doubt was expressed .whether a Government ... subsidy could be .obtained. It'was agreed that,the amount of traffic that' would be diverted through Karaka would bo considerable, and -would, be. good" advertisement ' for "the 'district. ; '.-"". Mr. B Charles stated that the bridge would be .of no ,use without metal. roads at' both ends. ,' ■. This Would.: add . -considerably to the cost, which was alieady a serious, item:-;■ ', ;■; ? . ' ■'. v•' •'■* r '■■-'• ♦;'•■ The following committee was elccfed .to go into the matter, • with ..the. Weymouth committee':.' Messrs. V 'A.' B. Carpenter; 3. Comrie, J. -P.* Kidd/A.'E; Urquhai-t, and ■F." .Yates. .' ,-,-■,'.■ - '"■'-'■.' ■ ':-'• /^v"