THE LOWER PAREORA BRIDGE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 4977, 9 April 1889, Page 4

THE LOWER PAREORA BRIDGE.

"[to the editor.] Sir,— Possibly, as the matter therein dealt with will be of groat interest to many of your readers, you will kindly find space in your columns for the subjoined correspondence. I am, &c., Wm. J. Steward. To the Hon, the Minister of Public Works : Memorial re Lower Pareora Bridge.

Sib,—You will recollect that during your recent visit to the south a deputation representing ratepayers of the Counties of Waimate and Geraldine waited upon you with reference to the present condition of the traffic bridge over the Pareora river, known as the Lower Pareora Bridge, and also that with the Hon. Mr Fergus and Mr Blair you proceeded to inspect the bridge referred to. • It will also doubtless be recollected by you that the deputation above referred to fully explained the necessity for having the bridge —which is now quite unavailable —put in a condition fit for traffic, and the fact that, owing to the Geraldine and Waimate Councils taking no action to that end, there is no alternative but to ask that action may be taken by the Government under the powers conferred by section 8 of “ The Public Works Act Amendment Act, 1887.” You were then informed that a memorial to this effect was in course of signature by the ratepayers of the two counties, and I have now the honour, at the request of the signatories, and also at that of a public meeting held at St. Andrews, to transmit to you the memorial in question with the request that you will be good enough to give the same the earliest possible consideration, with a view to carrying out the desire of the memorialists.

The memorialists set out the whole ease in such full detail that it is quite unnecessary for me to enter into a history of the facts, but I may draw your attention to the fact that there are no less than 390 signatures appended, being for the most part those of farmers within those counties, extending from the Waitaki to the Rangitata, showing the earnest desire which exists that action should promptly be taken by the Government. At the interview with the deputation at Timaru, you were good enough to indicate that you would be prepared to advise the Government to appoint a commission to make enquiry and report (1) As to the cost and nature of the works required, (2) As to their expediency, and (3) As to the proportions of the cost which should be charged to the counties respectively, And that on receipt of such report action would be taken by the Government, if deemed advisable, under the powers conferred by the section of the Public Works Act Amendment Act above referred to.

In forwarding to you the memorial of the ratepayers I have now the honour to ask that if the Government deem it necessary to have the report of a special commissioner, such commissioner may be forthwith appointed, and that if, on the other hand, the facts ascertained by yourself on the spot, together with those set forth in the memorial, are in your opinion sufficient without the appointment of a special commissioner, you will in that case advise that action may forthwith be taken thereon by the Government in accordance with the prayer of the memorialists. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, Wm. J. Steward. Ashburton, Feb. Btb, 1889.

General Survey Office, Wellington, April 6th Lower Pareora Bridge.

Sie,—l have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of February Bth last, addressed to the Minister for Public Works, forwarding a memorial signed by a large number of ratepayers residing in Waimate and Geraldine counties, on the subject of the repairs required to be done to the Lower Paroora Bridge, and the neglect of the Waimate and Geraldine counties to execute the same. In reply the facts and arguments adduced in your letter and in the memorial have received very careful consideration, with the result that the Government does not see its way, at present, to refer the matter to a special commissioner, as you suggest, as the councils of Waimate and Geraldine both consented to the manner in which the bridge was vested by the proclamation of July 2nd last, referred to in the memorial, before it was issued ; and the councils have, moreover, ample powers of ascertaining what works are necessary to be done. The councils have, however, been informed that unless the bridge is repaired by the 80th instant, or, if that be impossible, unless substantial repairs have been put in hand by that date, the Government will then consider the advisability of the Minister for Public Works undertaking the necessary repairs in terms of section 8 of the Public Works Act Amendment Act 1887, in which case the cost, charges, and expenses incidental to his doing so will be recovered by the Government from the local authorities in the place of whom the Minister may bo acting. I have, &c., G. F. Eiohaedson. Minister of Lands. To W. J. Steward, Esq,, M.H.R.