HAURAKI PLAINS ACCESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18577, 8 December 1923, Page 12

HAURAKI PLAINS ACCESS.

PROPOSED £60,000 BRIDGE.

LOCAL BODIES OFFER HALF. [by TEI.EGEAPII.OWN CORRESPONDENT, 3 THAMES. Friday. The Minister-for Public Works, who arrived at Thames last evening, was waited upon by a deputation from the Thames and Hauraki Plains County Councils, and the Thames Borough Council with regard to the proposed Kirikiri Bridge and the Kopu ferry. Mr. J. C. Miller, chairman of the Hauraki Plains Council, said that the ferry was not nearly sufficient to cope with the increasing traffic over the river. The local bodies had arranged to find £30,000 toward the cost of the bridge, and they asked that the Government should subsidise it to the extent of £ for £. The department, he said, had the estimate as to cost. Mr. Coates said that the estimate did sxjti give sufficient detail, and the department was not satisfied that they were bcaed on sufficient information. Mr. Miller stated that the estimated total cost was £60,000, and that the three local bodies were offering the Government £30,000. They would like the department to take this amount "over and undertake the construction of the bridge. Anything over £30,000 was a large amount for them to find, and they had other commitments. The Minister stated that it would be a mistake to' construct the bridge in anything bub ferro-concrete. The bridge had been a source of worry to him for some time, and he would like to see the question settled. The' Government had increased its contribution to £22,000. He admitted the necessity for the bridge, but did not see his way to increase the contribution as there were many other big works wanted. He thought that the Thames Borough Council should increase its contribution. He was prepared to further discuss the matter with Mr. Rhodes, M.P.