The Waihenga Bridge.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2092, 15 July 1887, Page 3

The Waihenga Bridge.

To the Editor of the Standard. Sn,-I think we aoit *ll regret the manmm thie noble bridge hae been allowed to U into rain. Boeb a etate of things is a fitting comment upon our present form of loeal government. Thie bridge ie in the haada of the Festberaton Highway Board, nothing hae been done to it for year*, that body haring no competent officer permanently agpt to report a poo necessary repairs. (Mt Peering I eeareely regard aa an engineer). A boot aiz weeka ago, I noticed the drift wood collecting about the bridge, until it loraed a dam halfway acteaa the river. Mr Lone, the toll-keeper, tells me that be aa ready to remove this driftwood, but the Warden, MrDowman, gave him no instrucIlona to do eo. The consequence is that two of the piles are scoured oat, and now I expect the whole bed upon which the bridge ia built will seoor away. What a pity it ia that such agaarivs works aa these should be in tbe hnade of such incompetent men. Mr Binhardaon tbe Minister of Public Works, perfeetiy justified quite lately in refusing la hand over important bridge works to some e| oar keel bodies. When Mr Bnekeridge hog ebartM of the toll at this bridge, I believe 11 wee his custom regularly to send a man down to keap the bridge clear of driftwood. Ue time little such precaution has Mm. lam afraid now that if tbe bed iaaetean away a new site will have to be Ik ifaa bridge. This will be e some wtal mettor for the people of tbe pglg Martinborongfa township. But I s3sj* ***** they have themselves alone to Uarae. I woald now ask the Paatbsrston Mm Board to appoint someone living Mm the bridge to keep the piles free from 43heed; toaek ItrEngto taka eharga of .#• asms* raia, and to caa about restoring ; #MU far? aorvioe in eeao of accident. \ I am, da, ‘4; Comma* PmuJM. mtmmrn, Jaly Kill. 1887.