TAIERI MOUTH BRIDGE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2914, 19 January 1910, Page 4

TAIERI MOUTH BRIDGE.

, A LONG-DELAYED PROJECT. At Milton on th© 11th a conference between the Bruce County Council and representatives of the Tiaieri County Council was held 1 to consider what couid be done in connection with tho long: pending matter of a bridge at Taicri Mouth. All the members of the Bruce County were present save Cr Tough, from whom an apology was received, and the representatives of th© Taicri County present were Mr W. Blacki© (chairman) and Ors Robinson, Allen, and Hay, and the engineer (Mr B. B. Coustonj and the clerk (Mr Logan). Tho meetingwas presided over by Mr Driver, chairman of the Bruce County Council, and he explained the position, ■ after which an involved discussion took place in cormection with several points raised. The position is that the district concerned and th© two county councils concerned have each agreed to contribute £IOOO towards the bridge, while the Government has at various times been approached for aid. The latest given by the Government was contained in the current Estimates, when the item appeared as a pound for pound grant up to £4OOO. If tho combined districts provide £3OOO, therefore the Government will provide an equal sum, thus making available £6OOO with which to build the bridge. Some time ago it was thought this would be insufficient, but the consensus of opinion would now seem to be in the direction that that sum would be adequate for a bridge of a suitable description. The decision come to on the 11th did not materially advance the position. It was decided on the motion of Mr Blackie, seconded by Mr Beil—“ That tho two councils visit the site of the proposed bridge and ask tho county engineers to submit plans and estimates for two bridges —one a heavy one and the other a light one,-estimates to be based on a cost not exceeding £6090, the pike of both to be heavy, with a the one case a Light superstructure.” The conference was empowered to deal with any matter that might occur, and it was also resolved that the day of the' visit should be Tuesday, January 18. The Hon. Thomas Mackenzie and Mr Jas. Allen, M.P., were to be asked to attend. The conference concluded with a vox© of thanks to the Bruce County .fi-oni Mr Blackie, of the Taicri County, after which both councils were entertained to lunch by the chairman of the Bruce Council (Mr rl. M. Driver).