MAHIA BRIDGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20116, 29 November 1928, Page 14

MAHIA BRIDGE.

Sir,—Judging by a report of the town board meeting, held 19th instant, the - 1 new bridge (which should be called " Mahia") over the water known as the.< i Papakura Stream, is to be Mie same width ~ as the one over tho Wiri stream, namely, 18ft. This means no provisions are to bo made for school children and other foot traffic; therefore tho present bridge, about 14ft. wide, is safer as a one-car bridge than the new one as a two-car for pedestrians. Tho present structure cost a little over £250 early in 1905, the old decking being removed in December, 1904, and during all these years there has been very little money spent on it, with tho exception of maintenance tto tho blue metal surface and repairs to damage done to pillars and sides by motor-cars. The Highway . Board is only concerned with motor traf- r fie and is evidently satisfied with 18ft. This is no use to ratepayers and residential . voters who have as much say in the elec- - tion of members for the town board, though owning neither horse nor motor- ' car, as those who own either or both but who must look to tho members for common justice. I therefore trust the town - board will do as tho majority of tho last , board did in connection with the overhead bridge—refuse to pay unless proper provision is made for school children and other foot pedestrians, and so prove they arc not going to neglect their own citizens for through traffic. C. 11. Litton.