THE BRIDGE CONTRACT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 15956, 18 October 1922, Page 11

THE BRIDGE CONTRACT.

DEPUTATION TO CO UNCI I

A deputation comprising numerous ratepayers of lower Whataupoko and business men of ['eel street waited upon the Borough Council last evening, with a request that a temporary footbridge be erected to replace the old Peel, street bridge; during the time it will lake to replace the latter with the new concrete structure. Mr. T. Leslie headed the deputation, which he said represented the ratepayers of Whataupoko Smith and the business people of Peed street. They ■wanted to know whether the Council was willing to give them a bridge or not. He presented a petition signed by the ratepayers. * Mr. A. G. Beere opened his remarks with an explanation. It had been published, he said, that he had waited on the Mayor, but he wished to say that it was not the Mayor, but the engineer and Town Clerk that he had seen. He referred to the great hardship that would be inflicted upon the residents of lower Whataupoko and the tradesmen there and in Peel street by the closing of the bridge. A temporary footway, he thought, could be thrown across the river, with access to the Whataupoko end through Mr. To Kani Pore's. He wished to ask the Mayor whether there was any objection to the bridge being pul across temporarily; The engineer, at the request- of the Mayor, explained that the contractor would need full access from the wharf 1o the site of the new Peel street bridge, for the use of a punt which he would use in bringing material from the wharf. Mr. T. Leslie pointed out that the contractor had no claim to the use of the whole of the river. Mr. Oman said that when he had interviewed Mr. Goodman, he had been told that the contractor had power to close the bridge immediately, but when ho pointed out the difficulties that would arise, Mr. Goodman had told him that for a. very small cost he could put a temporary footway across the river lower down, using a portion of the old structure. Mr. Oman continued, pointing out that the business men in Peel street would get a poor return for their rates if the street ■was closed entirely, as would happen if traffic was interrupted. Messrs. Kinder, Uridge, and Colley .joined in pressing the claims of the light traffic from Whataupoko. Mr. Uridge suggested that the jetty on Mr. Lysnar's property might be connected with the rowing . club |s staging. VMr. .Colley .said that the present width of the footway of the existing bridge would be all that would be required. Some of the old tram rails could bo used as stringers. He ex-

pressed surprise that the contractor • should lie allowed the use of the 'whole river, and urged the Council to consider the claims of the ratepayers who were paying for the new bridge. There would be no engineering knowledge required to construct a bridge. Mr. Leslie also drew attention to the' need for communication in case of fire in lower Whataupoko. ■',"ln reply to Cr. Ball, Mr. Colley said 'that the bridge could be erected, by using the old material, for about £l3O.

,Cr. Ball then pointed out that the residents in the vicinity of Derby

street bridge paid about £l2O every year for the privilege of having a bridge that was of great use to those -in dower 'Whataupoko. Would the ratcpaeyrs in that portion be agreeable to pay £l2O for one year, for the privilege of having temporary communication for one year? He also pointed out that when the Kaiti bridge was being renewed, the traffic would be diverted over Peel street bridge, and the business people would/get compensated for their coming trouble. The Mayor pointed out the neces-

pity for the Council keeping within its - income, mi pain of personal liability. He also reminded the deputation that it was not merely a matter of building a bridge to.carry the foot traffic, hut also of allowing free passage, to Nelson Bros.'barges. He was willing to go into the. matter, however, and try to find some means of helping the • ratepayers in the affected locality. Cr. Coleman asked if the deputation had considered the possibility of assisting the Council —in a financial way? , Mr. Oman said that they had expected that the Council would have made provision. It was an oversight on the part ,of . the councillors. Mr. Cox asked if it was not usual •'to,make provision for temporary access? '..''.'."

Cr. Gray:When there is no alternative access. Cr. Coleman said that ho gave more weight-to the business hardship to the Peel street'Shopmen than to the ineor' vcnioxi.ee of the pedestrians. 'Mrjll'ridge ; 'protested against this 'iili'it tide. Mr. Leslie asked if the Council would find half, of the cost of the new bridge? "I cannot say what the Council

may do," replied'the Mayor, who as- ' jmfed the deputation of a fair deal in the circumstances. The Council had no funds to spare, but might strain a point. The alternative was for ; the people affected to find the money. Cr. Ball'did not see much difficulty in the way of finding the money re : squired. • On'the suggestion of the Mayor, the. deputation agreed to appoint a small committee to act in conjunction with the Council, and after thanking ' the Mayor rinct' councillors, withdrew. Later, it was decided that the Council as a whole form a committee to meet the Whatnupoko residents _ and Peel street business men's committee.