GERALDINE BOUNDARY BRIDGES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 21029, 6 May 1938, Page 4

GERALDINE BOUNDARY BRIDGES

Cost of Repairs Borough to Contribute The chairman of the Geraldine County Council (Mr K. Mackenzie) and the county engineer (Mr J. R. A. Hawcridge) comprised a deputation which waited on the Geraldine Borough Council on Wednesday evening to invite the Borough to share the cost of effecting repairs to the Wilson Street footbridge and the Waihi traffic bridge on the main north road.

In introducing the engineer to the Council, Mr Mackenzie said he felt sure that the pleasant relations which had existed between the previous County engineer, Mr C. E. Bremner and the Borough Council would continue during Mr Hawcridge’s term. The Geraldine County Council had been asked to do something in regard to the Wilson Street footbridge over the Waihi River. The bridge which was falling into disrepair, was used by a good number of children going to the Secondary Department daily. The County Council was agreeable to making repairs, but. as it was a boundary bridge, they felt the Borough Council should pay its share of the cost. The County Council had never asked the Borough Council to contribute to the cost of maintenance of any of the three boundary bridges. However, the County Council could not continue to bear the whole of the expense, and according to the Municipal Corporations Act, the Counties Act. and the Public Works Act provision was made for the two contiguous local bodies to share the cost in such circumstances. Repairs to the footbridge would cost about £lO. and the County Council felt that it was only a fair thing that the Borough Council should pay half.

Mr Mackenzie also mentioned that the approach to the Waihi traffic bridge on the main north road had been undermined during the recent rise in the river. This bridge was also a boundary bridge; and the County Council had called for tenders for the supply of boulders to repair the gabions. The work would cost £5O and a subsidy of £3 for £1 would be available. The Borough Council’s share would not be more than £6 or £7. Reverting to the Wilson Street footbridge Mr Mackenzie said that the deputation had suggested to the County Council that a motor traffic bridge should be erected at that point. They would probably get a £ for £ subsidy, but even then it would cost the two local bodies £750 each. Other questions would also arise, one of which was the factor that the influx of traffic over the proposed bridge would endanger the children using that route. The County Council, however, proposed to seal the road to the Orari railway station next summer if funds were available, and. if that work were completed. it might have some bearing on the reduction of traffic, if a motor bridge were provided at the Wilson Street crossing. The deputation had suggested a traffic bridge, but the Council felt that it would be better to leave that proposal till some later date. Cr. M. Campbell: There is no doubt that the Wilson Street footbridge requires attention. The Mayor (Mr B. R. Macdonald): Do you think it would be a serious inconvenience if the Wilson Street footbridge were done away with? It has been suggested to me by one of those directly interested that the very best thing to do would be to drop the who’: thing. Mr Mackenzie: What will the children do then? The Mayor: They will have to go round by the swing bridge at Morrison’s corner.

Mr Mackenzie: With the assistance of the County Council, who did the pile-driving, two Raukapuka residents constructed the bridge, and the Borough Council contributed towards the cost. Now that we have put the bridge there we will have to keep It going. I would hardly like to see the bridge abandoned.

Cr J. R. Lack: I know that the bridge is very extensively used by both the children and residents generally. Messrs F. Cooling and D. Pringle constructed the bridge gratuitously, and I think it is a necessity there. There are not many minutes in the day when the bridge is not in use. Mr Mackenzie: As the High School is at Raukapuka I think that the bridge has got to be left there. The extra distance involved if the children had to walk round via the swing bridge is a consideration, especially in the dinner hour. The Mayor: I agree that the bridge is essential. You would have been very much surprised if you had heard the expression of opinion made to me. and you would be more surprised if you knew who made it. Cr Lack: I was the first to suggest that a traffic bridge should be erected at Wilson Street. Mr Mackenzie: It will not come for a while yet. The idea behind the suggestion that the footbridge should be abandoned is evidently to assist to create the necessity for a traffic bridge. Cr Davis: I understand the fifth and sixth standards will be transferred to the High School building, and when that takes place the footbridge will be more used than ever. On the motion of Crs Sherratt and Campbell it was unanimously agreed to accede to both requests made by the deputation. BOROUGH AFFAIRS MEETING OF COUNCIL The final meeting of the Geraldine Borough Council as at present constituted was held on Wednesday evening, the Mayor, Mr B. R. Macdonald presiding. Present: Crs J. R. Lack, H. Russell, P. F. Davis, M. Campbell and Z. O. Sherratt. The financial statement, presented by Cr J. R. Lack, showed that receipts amounted to £lOB/179/8. There was i debit balance of £Bll/13/3. In the Domain Board account there was a debit of £l3/2/5, and in the Cemetery Board account there was a credit of £57/18/11. The application of Mr C. L. Kirby, secretary of the Geraldine District

Band management committee, for the usual grant of £l5 towards the Band's funds, was granted. On the motion of Cr M. Campbell it was decided that notices to clear gorse be sent to two offenders. Mr Campbell also mentioned that he had been aovocating for the last 16 years that the Borough reserve in Darby Street should be planted with suitable trees. The Council agreed that planting should be underteken. A letter was received from the Mayor of Timaru, Mr P. B. Foote, in regard to the appeal for funds for the Karitane Baby Hospital at Christchurch. The Mayor reported that he had attended a conference of local body representatives at Timaru in regard to the matter. He had noticed that most of the local bodies had deferred the question of making grants till after the elections. The Council referred the matter to the incoming Council so that provision could be made for a grant in the estimates. Domain Closed to Motorists On the motion of Messrs Davis and Sherratt the Geraldine Football Ciuo was granted the use of the Geraldine Domain oval on eight playing Saturdays with the right to charge admission, the Board to be notified of the dates which were required. An invitation to the Board to attend the official opening of the new football club-room and hot and cold showers was accepted. In view of the damage caused by thoughtless motorists turning on the grass when reversing from the motor drive through the Domain in wet weather it was agreed, on the motion of Messrs Davis and Russell, that the motor gates be locked during the winter months. It was also decided to seek the co-operation of Mr J. J. McGuigan. headmaster of the Geraldine District High School, in preventing children from cycling on and cutting up the grass at the Domain. Expressions of Thanks “As it is the last meeting of the present Council,” remarked the Mayor. “I would like to thank the councillors for the assistance they have been lo me during my term of office. lam very pleased to see that the majority of you will come back, and that, with two new councillors. Messrs H. W. W. Williamson and E. N. J. Hannah, you were returned without opposition. “I would not have stood for the mayoralty again but for the fact that I anticipated that there would be an election for councillors,” continued the Mayor, “and I thought it useless lo run the Borough into the expense of conducting an election for mayor alone, but when I suggested pulling out some of my supporters would not allow me. so, unfortunately, I have to go on with it. Whether I come back is. of course, in the lap of the gods. I thank the councillors for their help, and especially Cr Lack (deputy-mayor) •. no has been of great assistance, and has very often taken meetings when I was not present. Cr J. R. Lack thanked the mayor for his remarks which he heartily reciprocated. He had been asked to contest the mayoralty, and had spoken to the Mayor before lie announced his candidature. Mr Lack added that fie had enjoyed his work on the Council very much indeed. He had given .he best he could to it. and if the election went his way. he was prepared to carry on to the best of his ability. Cr M. Campbell, who did not offer his services for a further term, said that he had only consented to sit in order to save an election. He thanked his fellow councillors and the Mayor for their courtesy and good wishes and reciprocated and said farewell. NEW FOOTBALL CLUB-ROOM The official opening of the Geraldine Football Club's new club-room and showers will be held at 2.15 to-morrow afternoon. The following is the Geraldine team to play Zingari—W. Payne, A. Morris, R. Worner, W. Smith, P. McShane, G. Vial. H. South, J. South, A. Martin, W. McCullough. K. Bly th, W. Taylor. A. Mclntosh, P. Callanan, H. Worner, A. Vincent, C. Cambell, J. Eathorne. BASKETBALL The following are the teams to represent Geraldine to-morrow:— First grade v. High School Old Girls at 3 p.m. Morna Barrett, Margaret Muff, Jessie Stringer, Nora Callanan, Hazel Woods. Jean Murray, Evelyn Callanan, Kathleen Trumper. Mary Gresham (captain). Second grade v. Geraldine High School at 2 p.m.—lrene Collins. Francis Downes, Zena Stevenson. Jill Lapthorne (captain), Kathleen Collins. Margaret Grindel, Joan McCall. Dorothy Broard, Margaret Collins. “MY MAN GODFREY” The Universal Production featuring William Powell and Carole Lombard in “My Man Godfrey,” which broke attendance records in the cilies, will lead the programme at the Geraldine Municipal Theatre at 8 o’clock to-night and to-morrow night. The story is a gay rollicking escapade of a butler and a blonde. Supporting members of the cast are Alice Brady, Gail Patrick, Jean Dixon, Eugene Pallette and Ala a Mowbray. Good supports will dj screened. A dance in aid of Hall funds will be held in the Rangitata Soldiers’ Memorial Hall on Saturday. “Procter’s*' the Opticians, Christchurch, will be making their next professional visit to Geraldine on Wednesday, 18th May, when they may be consulted on all defects of eyesight at the Crown Hotel. Appointments can now be made by ringing Mr Morris Williams. Chemist. (’Phone No 61). ...