RUAMAHANGA BRIDGE

Wairarapa Daily Times, 8 May 1935, Page 4

RUAMAHANGA BRIDGE

DISTRIBUTION OF COST.

THE MAYOR’S STATEMENT.

In connection with a report of a discussion which took place at the Masterton County Council on Saturday last about the Ruamahanga bridge and contributions from the local bodies concerned, the Mayor of Masterton, Mr T. Jordan, states the position to be as follows:—

"The County Clerk is reported to have stated that the Masterton Borough contributed £250 to the Te Ore Ore bridge. The actual amount paid by the Borough was £483. In the discussion the chairman, Councillor Armstrong, is reported to have stated that the Borough should have paid half the cost of that bridge. The facts are as follows: —The Masterton County wrote to us suggesting that it was fair that we should contribute towards the bridge, and named 10 per cent, as a reasonable proportion. In reply we asked if they had based this suggestion on any traffic figures, and received the answer that they had not, but that they thought it was a fair contribution. We thereupon agreed to it. More than 12 months afterwards, the County Council -wrote asking ns to pay 30 per cent, of the cost. To this we demurred and we pointed out that the matter was concluded by the arrangement already made to pay 10 per cent., and in pursuance of this agreement We paid £483. Now wo are told that our proper contribution was 50 per cent.”