COUNTY BRIDGES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23033, 10 May 1938, Page 17

COUNTY BRIDGES

COKOMANDEL AREA NUMEROUS REQUIREMENTS GRANT FOR FLOOD REPAIRS [by telegraph—OWN" correspondent] COJIOMaNDEL, Monday The Coroinandel County Council today considered a letter from the Min-ister-of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, dealinc with the council's request for the construction of a bridge over the Waiwawa River at Coroglen, estimated to cost £4OOO. The Minister stated that if the council would give some promise of a contribution he would be prepared to make some provision for the work when finalising his estimates. The council decided that it could not." contribute anything and asked for a free grant. The bridging of the many fords on the Port Jackson Road, which traverses the western side of the peninsula to Cape Colvillo, was also dealt with. Mr. Sent pie stated that, bridging these fords would involve an expenditure which seemed rather high. He suggested that the construction of concrete fords would give dry crossings under normal conditions. The council should consider the position when preparing its next schedule of public works and these would then be dealt with when the department's estimates were being reviewed. The council agreed to the suggestion. The Public Works Department advised that the Main Highways Board had approved of the granting to the council of special assistance toward repairing flood damago on tho following highways:—Pipiroa-Coromandel, £160; Coromandel-Mercury Bay, £180; TapuKaimarama, £lB4 (all £4 for £1); Waikawau Bride© approach, £350 (free). These were in respect to the February floods. In regard to subsidiary reads, the department had allocated '£ls)o, £4 for £l. Tenders were received for tho construction of a concrete bridge to replnoo tho present woodeu structure over the Waiau Stream, about two miles from tho township. They ranged from £3240 to £3844. No tenders were received for a diversion cut, over which the new bridge was to be placed. The whole question was referred back to the Public Works Department, with an intimation that tho council did not agree with the diversion proposal. The Marine Department notified that as the result of a petition signed by 57 residents of Coroinandel the department had decided to prohibit the removal of sand below high-water mark at Oamaru Bay.