OTOKIA BRIDGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26215, 27 July 1946, Page 8

OTOKIA BRIDGE

REPORTED DANGEROUS i ACTION BY COUNTY COUNCIL The bad state of the Otokia bridge over the Taieri River behind the Otokia Railway Station was referred to in a report to the Taieri Count;/ Council at its monthly meeting yesterday by the engineer (Mr G. D. King). The meeting was attended by Mr M. Howell (chairman) ana Crs G. Stevenson, W. L. Nichel, J. Penno, J. A. Wither, J. Sutherland, and C. Findlay. Mr King said that 20 years ago an inspection had been made of the Otokia bridge, and about half the structure was considered to be in bad condition. Notices had beeu placed at each end restricting the limit of loads to be carried over it, and he suggested that notice of load restrictions to two tons gross should be again published, and that the Transport Department be requested to see that the limit was not exceeded. The bridge, Mr King said, was' certainly unsafe lor heavy iraffic. Unless something was done the council would have to take steps to close the bridge. , Cr W. L. Nichol said it seemed that something would have to be done as there was a good deal of risk in heavy traffic using the bridge in its present condition. A number of heavy milk lorries regularly crossed the bridge. The county clerk (Mr S. Riach) said he considered that it would be wrong for the council to take the responsibility of closing the bridge without euaeavourjng to get a subsidy for a new bridge. The chairman (Mr F. M. Howell) said the bridge was in a deplorable condition, and the council should take steps to have it replaced. A new bridge would cost at least £20,000. It was decided that the engineer be instructed to have a complete survey made, and that application be made for a subsidy for a new bridge. \ Hospital Levy A letter was received from the Otago Hospital Board announcing that the council’s levy for. hospital maintenance for the year was £B2ll 12s lid.—The county clerk stimated that the levy would absorb more than half the rates collected by the county. He suggested that the Government would be forced to find the money from other sources if all local bodies refused to pay more than they paid last year— The chairman said that the countv clerk’s suggestion seemed to be on. the right ' lines. “Unless something is done,” he added, “the county will have no money for roading or other works.”—The letter was received. General The South Island Local Bodies’ Association advised that the annual conference would be held at Nelson on October 23, 24, and 25.—1 t was decided ihat the council should be represented by two delegates, final arrangements to be made later. Mrs A. Harborne, Halfway Bush, wrote asking for attention to the road leading to her property.—Left to Cr, Findlay and engineer to ascertain what work was required.