The Timaru Herald. TUESDAY, APEIL 23, 1889.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4521, 23 April 1889, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. TUESDAY, APEIL 23, 1889.

We have received a good many letters on the subject of the lower Pnreora bridge, and one or two of them appear in this morning's issue. We cannot 1 give np the whole of our space to the discussion, though we admit its itnporance especially to a large class of country readers. The last letter we received on the subject was from Mr Teschemaker, but its great length prevents its publication to-day. We Bhall, bowever, find room for it as soon as possible. If other correspondents are thinking of joining in the fray, we beg them to be merciful nnd endeavour to pack tbeir remarks into a reasonable compass. In all probability they will greatly gain in force by the process of condensation. With regard to the question at issue, we hold strongly that the duty of the Geraldine County Council is either to repair the old bridge in a thoroughly substantial manner or to bnild a new one. Those who nre now advocating the abandonment of the bridge and the improvement of the ford, or the diversion of the traffic to the upper bridge, appear to us to underrate tho difficulties and dangers of the situation, and to forget entirely the wretched state of things which existed in the old days before the bridge was built. The traffic is now very much larger and a great many more people are interested in it, and yet a Bection of the ratepayers hold that the bridge ia nothing but u luxury which can well be dispensed with until there is money to squander. If the matter 13 to be viewed in that light, then bridges should bs generally dispensed with in places where there are reasonably good fords in the average state of the stream. But that would be decided retrogressive, and as cases of loss and inconvenience multiplied, thero would be a rapid hardening of public opinion in favour of re-establishing the better means of communication. The legal position in relation to the question of restoring the lower Pareora bridge ia very clearly defined. The onus of making the bridge safe for traffic is cast npon the local authority by statute, and the delay which has taken place in doing what is necessary is a breach of duty. Probably if losses were sustained by reason of the non-repair of the bridge the local authority could be held responsible, a consideration which ought not to be overlooked in the deliberations of the councillors. The Government certainly have no power to release them from duties imposed by statute. The details of the Customs revenue for the last quarter of the financial year which ended on the 31st March show that, compared with the corresponding quarter of the previous year, there was a slight decrease in the respective amounts of duty collected on spirits and tobacco, and an increase in wines, ale, beer, tea, coffee, sugar, aud molasses, opium, goods by weight, and ad valorem nnd other duties. The Excise duties for the quarter showed an increase in tobacco, cigars, and beer. The foreign parcels post duties produced £351 18s lid. The total Customs revenue for the past quarter was (including primage duty) £367,980, and for the corresponding quarter of last year £302,486, an increase of £65,494.