THE DAWSON BRIDGE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 13 August 1913, Page 5

THE DAWSON BRIDGE.

AND THE MASTERTON COUNTY OOUNfCIL. MB DAWSON SEEKS AN EXPLANATION. 'Mr Joseph Dawson, of Hukanur, waited upon the Masterton County yesterday in reference to c&tairi detrimental remarks alleged to have boon made at the last meeting of the Council regarding bridges erected by him.' He had-previously addressed the Council on the subject, enclosing testimonials from various local authorities and engineers, as to the durability, and cheapness of the bridges erected from his designs. Mr Dawson said i* was not a pleasant thing for him to wait upon the ■Council. . He ]sad not asked the Council to accept any of his designs. He was surprised to hear of the remarks that had been made by Councillors. These were calculated to do him considerable injury. Ho was present to ask Councillors who had spoken disparagingly of his bridges to produce evidence in support of their statements.

Cr Forman said he supposed he was the culprit. . He felt, very sorry that he had annoyed Mr Dawson. He was referring to the bridges erected by Mr Dawson years ago, and not to the bridges constructed by him in recent years. He was of opinion that the bridges erected years ago by Mr Dawson were useless for the purposes of to-day. They were cheap enough, but were not sufficiently strong for present day requiremests. He was sorry if lie had caused annoyance to Mr Dawson, as' he had no intention of doing so. ' Mr Dawson stated that he had erected numerous bridges for private individuals. It was" never intended that these should carry heavy traffic. They were built for the convenience of .settlers for light forms of traffic!, and not to carry traction engines. His work in the South Island had been most favourably commented upon. Mr Dawson stated that he did not care for the engineers. He had not looked to the County Council for work, and he was not dependent upon bridge-building for his living. He accepted Cr Foreman's apology, but he was sorry that Councillors should have made remarks in such a thought"less manner. He had been recommended to proceed against the Council for damages, but he did not wish to take action of this sort. He merely wished to put his position clearly before the public. The Chairman said he hoped Mr Dawson would accept Or Foreman'.;explanation and apology. Mr Dawson sa'fd he did so with pleasure. Or Foreman assured Mr Dawson that he was only referring to his light bridges. Mr Dawson said he was always going forward. He did not intenderecting any more of these light bridges, because he, found they were misunderstood.

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