A DANGEROUS RIVER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18849, 30 April 1923, Page 2

A DANGEROUS RIVER

APPLICATION for a bridge. DEPUTATION TO MR MASSEY, * A deputation representing the Waitaki County Council and the settlers residing near the south branch of the Maerewhonua River waited on Mr Massey in Oamam on Saturday morning with the object of securing Government assistance for the erection of a bridge over the river mentioned. Mr T. A. Munro (chairman of the Oity Council) presided. An apology was received for the absence of Mr Bitehener, M.P. for Waitaki. ; Mr Munro thanked Mr Massey for meeting the deputation. The real business was to urge on Mr Massey the necessity for erecting a bridge over the south branch of the Maerewhenua River. A bridge at this place was absolutely necessary as it was a very dangerous stream. The locality was on the main road connecting North Otago with Central Otago, and a lot of people used the road apart from the settlers in the district. A petition had been sent to the Hon. Mr Coates in connection with the . matter. Mr A. MTnnes said there were 24 settlers on the far side of the river. He could safely say that the river rose every three weeks, and on such occasions it was utterly impossible for a dray or anything else to cross. The road provided a very much shorter route for North Otaco people going into: Central Otago than any other road. The Hon. Mr Coates had said he would give them a . subsidy, of £2OO, but that would not look at the cost. Mr Massey: What would it cost? Mr Cuthbertson (county engineer): Anything between £IOOO and £ISOO. It is a particularly bad place for a bridge. The Public Works Department has full particulars. Mr MTnnes said the settlors were really at the mercy of the river to get their produce through. , They produced an enormous quantity one way and another. Mr G. Livingstone said he had found it difficult on many occasions to get across the river at this place. Mr Massey: Are they Crown, tenants? Mr Livingstone: Yes. arfd 1 think they deserve all thev ask for. I think they should have had a bridge many years ago, and I hope you will see your Way to assist them as far as lies in your power. Mr T. Wright said the bridge was absolutely necessary for the settlers, the travelling public, and stock. Not very long ago he had been held up for a week. He tried to cross the river in a ; spring _ dray, ■ but could not do so. In case of sickness no' doctor could get across the river. Motor cars were frequently stuck up for hours at a time, and had to be nUiled out by horses. Messrs L. Wright (who referred to a narrow escape from drowning which had occurred at the crossing), Borrie, and W. Gardiner supported the request. Mr Massey: Is it £ for £ that is -wanted? Mr Munro: I am afraid that would hardly fill the bill. We are a very poor council, and have not much money to spare. Mr Massey said he was afraid the council would have to do something. He would communicate with the Rublic Works Department and ascertain as nearly as possible what was required. It seemed to him to be a oas© where there was a claim for public money. Ho did not say the Government would do the whole of the work, but he had no doubt it would bo able to assist, and ho would ascertain what amount of assistance would be forthcoming. Mr Livingstone suggested that the Lands Department might assist in the matter. Mr Massey asked if all the settlers were Crown tenants, and was informed that they were. .. The Prime Minister promised to make investigations regarding., this phase of the question. 1. „ , , .. Mr Massey was cordially thanked for his courtesy in meeting the deputation. BOTANIC GARDENS HILL. TO THE EDITOR. Sl Ei Per some time past eheep have been grazing all -over that portion of the hill that overlooks the Botanic -' Gaidhhs. Possibly the ...Reserves. Committee > -may have meant owners of • sheep to use the reserves forgrazing purposes. If so,, then it overlooked the possrbility of the re servo becoming defiled. In the case of the Gardena Hill, that part where crowds -of people usually sit on Sunday afternoons to listen to the hand, is now so filthy that it will take a long (ime before people will bo able to sit there again, and th© path round the back .of the Gardens has become very dirty and sloppy.—l am, ©to., . ' ~G./.5./ Thomson. Opoho, April 23. -■« •■■■■