THE PAKARAE BRIDGE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11128, 30 July 1907, Page 4

THE PAKARAE BRIDGE.

(To the Editor of the Herald.) ! Sir, — I see by your report of tlie last County Council meeting that a difference of opinion existed as to which is the site to be chosen for the new bridge. Now, sir, as one who knows the both sites, and one of the ratepayers m the Tolaga riding, allow me to give an expression of opinion on the same. I therefore think if the County Council appointed a duly qualified engineer to pick out a. site, lie should be the person whose opinion should be chosen before tliat of any councillor. Tlie reasons given by the Engineer for selecting the lower site appears quite feasible to any ratepayer. The opinion expressed by Cr Boland that the Tolaga ratepayers voted for the upper site is m my opinion incorrect, as I have no hesitation m saying that the Tolaga ratepayers were not concerned about the site, for if they were voting 'for both the loan and the site, it would necessitate two voting * papers, whereas there was only one. The travelling public are the persons to be considered, and it is quite evident they could not be accommodated at the upper site, for tliere is no probability of refreshment for human individuals, or paddocking for stock to be obtained there, seeing -that the Natives are acting on the ndvice of Mr Ngata, to neither sell nor ■ lease any land. Now, taking into consideration the great inconveniences the ' public would have to suffer if the bridge was erected at the upper 'site, together ' witli the large and expensive quantity of | new roading to be made, I can see I

no reason why any objections should be raised against the lower site, especially seeing that the roads to and from the lower site are already made, and the Engineer having already given his m favor of the lower site, together with Cr Matthews, who is a duly* qualified surveyor, and knows every inch of the ground. Then, why should those faddist opinions stand m the way of giving the best, most useful, and beneficial site for the benefits of the public who aro praying for the same? — I am, etc., E. P. JOYCE.