MAIN COUNTY BRIDGES.

Shannon News, 14 November 1922, Page 2

MAIN COUNTY BRIDGES.

REPAIRS TO GO ON AT ONCE

The District Engineer, Public Works Department, informed the Horowhenua County Council on Saturday that the Council may now order the necessary timber to repair the Ohau, Otaki and Kara Creek bridges. The communication was in reply to a letter from the County Engineer (Mr W. > N. Anderson) pointing out the necessity of proceeding with the work, and inquiring ■ when the Go-vemment grants would be available. The chairman (Cr. Monk) stated he had gone into the question of the bridges. The Government was giving a subsidy of £2 to £1 from the county for repairs to the main road bridges and alter going into the matter .thought it possible that the county would be able to raise its share during the present financial year, but the Te Horo, Otaki and Wirokino ridings, where the work would be carried out, would have to sail close to the wind, and very little over expenditure could be expected. He made that statement so that the public would know it. The offer of the Department had been to bear a portion of the cost, but he thought the Department should have borne the whole of the cost. However, they had to accept what they could get. The County Engineer had got out the prices and they were prepared to go on. The question now was: Would the Ohau bridge last out the year? This showed the necessity of getting on with the work. It would take time to' procure the timber, but) the Council may be able to get sufficient timber at once at an extra cost of £27 to go on with Ohau at once. The Council’s finances were not too good. Very little of the current year’s rates had come in yet, and a considerable amount waS still outstanding from last year. It was for the Council to say if it would spend a little extra money and go on with the Ohau bridge as soon as possible. Cr. Harkness agreed with the idea of going on with the work at once. It was problematical if the Ohau bridge would last till Christmas, and they should go ahead and get the timber so that the work could be started at once.

Cr. Ryder mentioned the Otaki bridge, and asked; if it would be necessary to close the bridges.

The Chairman: Both Ohau and Otaki bridges will be closed during repairs, the Otaki bridge for about three weeks. Cr. Harkness: What about the ford at the Ohau?

The Chairman stated Ihe Engineer thought the Ohau bridge could be opened every evening or morning, but Otaki.would be closed absolutely. Cr. Ryder suggested double staffs on the work, so that as little inconvenience as possible would Be caused, and the work pushed through. The chairman said double gangs would be used on the Otaki bridge, Avorking 16 hours a day, and when started the work would be pushed on with all speed. I The Engineer said he would like to' see the Ohau bridge held over till January, but it would be advisable to go on with the work as soon as possible. He thought arrangements could w be made to open the Ohau bridge in the mornings, so that the dairymen may not be inconvenienced.

Councillors thought that the bridges should riot be delayed any longer than necessary, even if it cost a little extra, the Ohau bridge l should be gone on with at once.

The chairman, Engineer and County Clerk were authorised to make the best arrangements for going on with the work.