NEW TRAFFIC BRIDGE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21089, 15 July 1938, Page 3

NEW TRAFFIC BRIDGE

COUNCIL REJECTS PROPOSAL At the monthly meeting of the Geraldine Borough Council . letter was received from Mr T. J. Paterson, secretary of the Geraldine Businessmen’s > Association, asking the Council favourably to ccnside. the building of a traffic bridge over the Waihi River at either Wilson Street or Peel Street crossings. Members stated that they felt the bridge was v/arranted because of the present congestion >i tween the existing traffic bridge and the Bank of New Zealand. They also pointed out the big saving in mileage ,o motorists travelling between Geraldine Borough and Raukapuka and Orari. He trusted that the Borough Council would see its way clear to act in conjunction with the Geraldine County Council in the matter. The Mayor (Mr J. R. Lack): The secretary came to me about the matter. I spoke to Mr K. Mackenzie, chairman of the Ge.aldlne County Council, who stated his Council had placed nothing < n the estimates for the proposal. It is impossible for us to do anything just now, although, personally, I would like to see a bridge built—it is one of the things I have been pushing for some years—the Council las not got the money. Cr. A. I. bell: Suppose there is a heavy flood in the Waihi and the piles in the present traffic bridge weie damaged we would have to pay half the cost. The damage might cost us £lOO to £l5O to repair. We have no provision in our estimates for our shaie of the cost of bridge repairs, and any heavy expense would put us in a very awkward position. The Business Men’s Association is asking us to assist to build another bridge, and we would be responsible for half the cost of any repairs there, also. The Mayor: Yes. There is no prospect of us doing anything just now.