The Beaumont Bridge.

Otago Witness, Issue 1581, 11 March 1882, Page 23

The Beaumont Bridge.

DEPUTATION TO THE COLONIAL TREASURER. We extract the following report from the Tuapeka Times :—

A deputation consisting of Messrs Buchanan (Chairman of the County Council), Herbert, and Sheath (members for James and Tapanui Ridings respectively), waited upon the Hon.. Major Atkinson (Colonial Treasurer) in Dunedin on Wednesday, in regard to the re-erec-tion of the Beaumont bridge. , After the object of the interview , had been fully stated, Mr the Government; would likely grant towards

I the reconstruction of the bridge if the County I Council proceeded with the work forthwith. Major Atkinson replied that he could offer no encouragement to the deputation. He would not undertake to say that the Government would render any assistance. The work in question did not come under the control of the department of which he had charge, and therefore it was not in his power to say whether or not the Government were prepared to assist the local body. However, if the Roads Construction Bill of last session of I Parliament had been properly supported by members representing country constituencies there would not, in the present instance, have been any necessity for the deputation interviewing him upon the question under notice, inasmuch as that measure made provision for assistance being granted to the local governing body to the extent of £3 to £1 on all work of a necessary and,urgent character ; and certainly the reconstruction .of the Beaumont bridge would have come under ,the category of such works. ,. The bill would again be introduced at the, ensuing session of Parliament, when possibly it would meet with more general approval and support than it did duringlast session. Major Atkinson remarked further that if he were not mistaken a sum of money had already been voted by Parliament for replacing the bridge at the Beaumont, , , Mr Buchanan informed the Minister that £3000 had" been paid by Government through I the. County Council for purchasing Mr Kitching's punt and the ' original ( bridge site. It could not be expected, however, that the Council, cquld proceed with the re-construction pf the bridge at ,the present time unless the Government came to their aid, because .the state of,, the county exchequer would not' warrant the outlay. , Since the initiation of the County system of government, the Council, had expended between £30,000 and £40,000 on, the repair and maintenance of the main arterial road, and what with the expenditure on ,bye roadaand otherworks the Council hadnotagreat deal to come and go upon. He (Mr Buchanan) certainly thought the Council were justified in coming to the Government for assistance in reconstructing the bridge, inasmuch as the adjoining county of Vincent would reap' a decided advantage by the work in question' being • constructed.

Major Atkinson suggested that a toll, be levied at the' present punt" if the traffic butside Tuapeka county benefited to any material extent. ' ' , „T he, deputation, however, expressed their disapproval of tolls, which were a serious' bar to the settlement of the country. After a few 'further remarks the deputation withdrew, jthanking Major Atkinson for. his courtesy "in granting them a hearing. ,