STATE OF BRIDGES DUE TO NEGLECT OF PAST COUNCILLORS

Wanganui Chronicle, 10 November 1949, Page 2

STATE OF BRIDGES DUE TO NEGLECT OF PAST COUNCILLORS

Allegations that the bad state of bridges in the county today was due to the work not being done years ago, when there was plenty of material and labour available, were made by Mr. Alex Stuart at a meeting of county ratepayers in Marton on Tuesday night. He charged the councillor* with neglecting their duties in endeavouring to remain popular with the ratepayers. Rates, he said, had been kept down at a cost of efficiency. The county was run on very conservative lines. The state of the bridges today was due to councillors and ratepayers calling out for lower rates in the past, said Mr. Stuart. An improvement was needed in the way councillors carried out their duties. "Don't be too parochial.” said Mr. Stuart. An appeal to strengthen some of the bridges rather than enforce weight limits was made by Mr. F. C. Jurgens (Bulls). A bridge on his road, he said, had been limited to eight tons, while fat lamb lorries weighed 11 tons loaded. If the weight limit was to be 1 enforced it would be necessary to A drive lambs several miles and they ■ were likely to lose 21b in weight. This represented a monetary loss of 2s per lamb, or £lOOO on a 1000 lambs. “Isn’t it wiser to increase the rates and keep the roads open?” asked Mr. Jurgens. If it was not possible to strengthen the bridges would the county build fords where the streams were reasonably shallow? Explaining the reason why the county was unable to secure the services of bridge carpenters, Mr. K. W. Dalrymple( chairman or the county, said that private contractors could get staff by paying wages above the award, hut local bodies could not do that. The county had recently advertised for bridge carpenters and received only one reply. Several farmers present said they were prepared to donate bluegums to the council for strengthening bridges. Mr. T. Bergen said he felt sure farmers would also assist the county with labour. The engineer, Mr. H. Murray Reid, thanked the farmers for their offers. POLITICAL ADDRESSES AT MARTON. Mr. E. B. Gordon, National Party candidate for Rangitikei, is to address his first Marton meeting on Monday, November 14, when he is due to speak at the Junction School. His final address of a strenuous campaign will be given in the Marton Civic Theatre on Tuesday, November 29—the eve of the election. The Labour Party candidate, Mr. Eric de Malmanche, is likewise a busy man at present covering his electorate. To night, in company with the Postmaster-General, Hon Mr Hackett, he is to address Rangitikei electors at Feilding. As far as is known, no further Cabinet Ministers are expected to visit the Rangitikei electorate, but Mr. Jim Roberts, president of the New Zealand Labour Party is to speak at Marton on Tuesday, November 22, in the Victory Hall. Mr. de Malmanche will also address electors. PICNIC AND CHILDREN’S PARTY ARRANGED BY R.S.A. A Christmas party for children to be held on Saturday, December 17 and an R.S.A. picnic tentatively proposed for the last Sunday in January, were two functions for which preliminary preparations were made at a recent meeting of the Marton R.S.A. social committee. The children’s party is to be on a larger scale than previous years. Negotiations are under way to hire a merry-go-round for the occasion and it is also intended to have several ponies on the ground to give rides to the children. Father Christmas is to be accompanied by two clowns and, in all, the arrangements in view promise a happy day for the children. To assist with the expenses involved each R.S.A. member is to be asked for Is donation.