SHANNON BRIDGE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1612, 21 January 1903, Page 49

SHANNON BRIDGE.

A deputation from HoroAvhenua waited to the Minister of Lands on Monday to request his services in securing a Government subsidy for the construction of the Shannon bridge. There Avere present Messrs Job Vile and W. H. Field, M.H.R.’s, Mr John Davies (chairman of the HoroAvhenua County Council), and two other members of that body. Mr Vile said the local bodies had agreed as to the apportionment of the cost, and were prepared to go on AA'ith the work if only the Government Avould give, say, a pound for pound subsidy. He thought the Avork a .very necessary one, particularly as the bridge Avould give access to a very large that of Moutoa. Mr Davies said the. Minister was fully aAvarc of the importance of the Avork to the district. The allocation of cost among the local bodies had been settled by a commission, the plans had been prepared and approved by the department, and ea 7 erything Avas ready to proceed upon receiving the assurance that the Government Avas Avilling to assist by a subsidy. The bridge AA 7 as estimated to cost £SOOO. The manager of the Moutoa estate, which belonged to the Assets Realisation Board, had stated before the Commission that the bridge would add 5s per acre over 8000 acres of the estate. That in itself should be sufficient inducement to the Government to assist, especially if the estate should be acquired. The Shannon bridge Avas the only missing link in the road liow that the Oliau bridge contract Avas let. Mr Field explained that the traffic over the bridge.Avould be very heavy. The district had done a great deal for itself, and had received very little aid from the Government. The Minister said he could only repeat, as he had said before, that the Government aIAA r ays liked to help those who helped themselves and he Avould put the case before his colleagues, and if he succeeded in getting them to agree, the Government would probably give a subsidy of some amount. Personally, he aa 7 ou 1 d like to see the bridge put up, as the district had done so much for itself. The punt Avas not satisfactory. Mr Davies stated that it AA 7 as about eleA 7 en miles from Foxton to Shannon. The Moutoa estate Avas only about two miles distant, but the only access now Avas by punt or iliirt3 7 -one miles by via Longburn.