CORRESPONDENCE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 20131, 20 July 1914, Page 7

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE PROPOSED STOCK BRIDGE

(To the Editor.) Sir, —It was with pleasure that I noticed some of the councillors had made* a move to get a stock and general traffic bridge away from the bustle of the town. There is not the least dioubt we shall have such a bridge within four or five years. Why not have it now? Goodness knows it is wanted badly enough. But when our two worthy councillors (who both own property above Upokongaro), want t-h'e 'bridge at that place, or farther up <the river, dt is simply ridiculous to say the least of it. Why, there is not enough traffic at Upokongaro to keep the old ferry going. It has to be supplemented from: outside sources, and the traffic seems to bo decreasing. It was only last year the ferry was closed because of it not paying Jts way, and it was only after a lot of trouble and promise of outside financial support that it was again openedi. Now, .sir, just fancy a man taking a mob of cattle or sheep from Westmere to Whangaejhu or vice-versa! He would have to drive, them ten miles up one sido of tlie river and' ten miles down the other : a big day's drive, just to cross the river. j I fail to see how it would serve anybody, at IJpokongaro, except those just opposite, because stock up the river must come down to be shifted! either up or down the coast, and it would l>e just as handy to cross at Aramoho as at Upokongaro. Then again, we have the Government engineer's report, in which he said at the end of''the Brunswick road was an ideal place for a bridge, owing to the high banks 'and the narrowness of tlie river at that particular spot. If we get the bridge at the end of Brunswick road, on either side of tho river would be an idaal locality for a co-operative sale yard, which is badly wanted and must come sooner or later. Knowing, tsir, that you will encourage comment, on this important public work, I thank you in anticipation. PRO BONO PUBLICO.