THE BULLS BRIDGE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 105, 6 May 1933, Page 6

THE BULLS BRIDGE

PROBLEM OF REPAIRS PREPARING FOR NEW STRUCTURE Endorsement of the proposal to repair the Bulls bridge over the Rangi eikei River so as to ensure its lifcfoi five years and to commence the croc tion of river protection work will, in view to shortening the length of a now bridge, was agreed upon by tli< llangitikei County Council yesterday. The subject was raised by the pres entation of the following report: “The following representatives of the Rangitikei County Council waitci on the Alanawatu County Council in tho ALuiawatu County Council Cham ber on April 11, 1933: Alessrs. Alex Stuart, AI.P. (councillor), J. Rice (councillor), S. A. R. Mair (engineer) and H. IT. Richardson (county clerk). They were welcomed by the chairman of the Afanywatu County Council (Air. Barber), and it was decided that the conference should take the form of a joint meeting of th members of both councils. Air. Barber occupied th- < b a i r.

“Air. A. Stuart, ALP., explained that the reason of the presence of the Rangitikei representatives was in conwas in consequence of a report received from Air. Mair, the county engineer. that serious defects in the Bulls bridge structure, had been discovered and it was the desire of the Rangitikei County Council that there

should be a round-table discussion by the two councils as to the best measures to be taken.

“Air. Alair submitted his written report to the meeting and verbally gave further details as to the defects in the bridge. He also outlined the steps taken to restrict loads crossing the bridge and this was endorsed by the meeting.

“The chairman considered that strong representations should be made to the authorities in regard to the inferior timbers that had been allowed to be put into the bridge when unginally constructed.

‘ ‘ Air. Richardson said that the immediate question to be decided was w!• ether the major repairs estimated by Air. Alair to cost 12,000 in order to make the bridge last anotner five years, should be proceeded with.

“Air. Alair outlined the manner in which such repairs would be carried out progressively and asked for guid ante in the matter. “.Alter full consideration, it was decided that the major repairs should be carried out in order to give the bridge a life of not less than five years. The question of the erection ot a new bridge was discussed and Air. Alair brought forward a proposal tu construct river protective works with a view to shortening the length of the new bridge to be erected. i’hu meet ing approval of Air. Man s proposals in regard to the river protective works Mid he was asked to confer with Air. Bond, the engineer to the Alanawatu County Council, in reference thereto. Air. Stuart urged that the question of the new structure should be taken up withou’. delay.

“Tho meeting was unanimously ol the opinion that the defective timbers placed in the original structure, thus shortening its life, should be advanced as a strong argument in favour of a larger share of the cost of a new bridge being borne by tho Alain High ways Board.”

At tho Rangitikei County Council meeting Cr. Bruce expressed the opinion that Air. Alair should be congratulated on the good work that had been done in connection with river protection works at the Bulls bridge. Cr. llammond also expressed a similar opinion in connection with the Onepuli bridge.

In reply to Cr. Coleman, the engineer stated that alternative sites and designs were submitted by him and the Alain Highways Board and it was entirely a matter for the councils in forested to decide wliich site should bo adopted for the new bridge.

The council adopted the report and endorsed- the action of its delegates to the conference. A copy of the report is to be forwarded to tho Alain High ways Board.