THE ARAHURA BRIDGE TOLLS.

West Coast Times, Issue 659, 4 November 1867, Page 3

THE ARAHURA BRIDGE TOLLS.

«. TO TIIE EDITOB OI? THE WJEST COAST TI3IES. Sie — Several paragraphs referring to the tolls charged at the Arahura Bridge have appeared, from time to time, in your journal, calculated to mislead the public in the matter. We have abstained from noticing them hitherto, being content to leave the affair in the hands of the Government, but as one or two of the latest notices have reference to a " new and moderate rate of toils," which is mentioned as about to be gazetted, it appears desirable to state the facts as they exist. "When ihe bridge was opened a scale of charges was fixed by his Honor the Superintendent, to remain in force three months, and the scale -which the Government now propses is precisely similar, we were quite satisfied with these rates, and have always adhered to them, with the following exceptions : — Ist. Arrangements have been made by us allowing packers to cross at a reduced fare of fivo shillings per week. 2nd. Packers who declined to aTail themselves of this offer, and were only willing to cross at times of flood, have been charged an extra rate for that convenience. 'J he effect of the first exception has been to reduce the charge to packers who crossed the bridge six times a week to less than half the sum authorised by the Government, being not quite 4d per hundred on the goods packed up, and with regard to the second we think it unreasonable that packers who habitually evade the tolls in iine weather should expect to cross our bridge at times of flood at the same rate as those who use it constantly. From this it will be seen that the public have no occasion whatever to complain ; but, on the contrary, have derived considerable benefit from the erection of the bridge. Apologising for troubling you with this letter, We are, Sir, &c, Aldeich, Boyle, and Thomson. Hokitika, Nov. 2, 1867.