THE EAST COAST ROUTE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18335, 1 March 1934, Page 4

THE EAST COAST ROUTE

BRIDGING KARAKATUWHERO NO HOPE IN NEAR FUTURE Little hope is held out by the Minister of Public Woijks, the Hon. John Bitchener, for the early bridging of the Karakatuwhero Stream on the main coastal route near Te Araroa. A letter to this effect was read at yesterday afternoon’s meeting of the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce, which decided to take further steps to secure the construction of the bridge. The Minister’s letter stated : “I am in receipt of your letter requesting that steps be taken to erect a bridge over the Karakatuwhero Stream in order to provide all-weather communication between Te Araroa and Hicks Bay. Upon making inquiries, J find that tlie proposed structure would be oil a main lijighway, and therefore the matter does not come within my jurisdiction, but rather concerns the Main Highways Board. “1 am informed by the board that the provision of a bridge at this locality is primarily dependent on the responsible local authority submitting its proposals with an intimation that the work epuid bo undertaken with the usual assistance from highways funds. “As vou know, the Matakaoa County Council is at present financially embarrassed. and consequently there appears to be little possibility of the work being commenced in the near future.” Mr. 11. F. Forster remarked that the crossing was a treacherous one. and lie urged that the chamber should write again lo the Minister stating that it was a national matter, and suggesting that (lie road should be declared a Government road.

This suggestion was adopted, and it was decided to ask the Government to build the bridge as soon as possible.