MANGAMAHU BRIDGE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XII, Issue 9478, 31 July 1879, Page 2

MANGAMAHU BRIDGE.

The Chairman stated that he had been to take over some work at the Mangaraahu Bridge. The bridge itself was fairly constructed, but the approaches to it were very badly made. He feared that the first heavy fresh would wash away the bridge. A letter was then read from Mr Hazeldean, saying that the bridge was washing away. I The Secretary explained that he had consulted Mr Kennedy as to what should be done, and had started repairs immediately. Even without orders from the - Council he should in such an urgent case have taken some steps to prevent further damage to the bridge. The course taken was approved. dbnby's claim. A letter was read from Mr Denby, in which he said that his .men were paying 3d per day towards the Hospital Fund. Mr Denby also put forward again his claim of £7 10s 7d for loss sustained through damage to his steamer by the . Upokongaro ferry wire. ■ Or Lowes moved that Mr Denby be in- ' formed that the Council cannot admit his claim re steamer. This was seconded by the Chairman and carried. DOG TAX OOLLEOTOB. . An official notification was read appointing Mr G:. Ross, dog tax collector. UPOKONGARO FERRY. A letter from the Harbour Board was read, requesting the Council to raise the wire at the Upokongaro Ferry, as the arrangement which had been advertised did not suit the of fhe oase. Or Robertson said that he had been down to the Ferry in a boat, and he found the light brilliant enough, though: it was, perhaps, badly placed, being in a line with a light in Mr Kennedy's house. Or Sommerville said that the Harbour Board seemed to think that thoj were masters of the situation. They would find that thia was a mistake. The County Council had not originated the ferry wire, but took it over from the Provincial.* Government, and he read a clause of the Act giving the Council power to do as | they pleased with regard to the wire. A conversation then ensued, of which the chief points were that the forry -was absolutely necessary to the district, j and the rope was not dangerous if proper : care was used. ! The Chairman then moved — That aa : the raising of the wire at the Upokongaro j Ferry would prevent the working of the punt across the river, this Council oaunot see their way to stranding the wire, and r further, that at the meeting of delegates appointed to consider the -matter, the , decision arrived at was that the wire should remain as it now is, and that a light hi put up, which arrangement has been carried out by the Connci. . This was seconded by Or Smith and carried. TOLL GATES. The Chairman called attention to the, toll gate at Kaitoke. They were paying a man to collect the tolls, and he thought that it would suit the Council better if they were to let the gate for a yearly sum. It was decided to act upon this, and to oall for tenders at once. Or Lowes then brought forward the question of the removal of the St John's^ , toll gate, and it was resolved to call a special meeting for Wednesday, 13th August, at 2 p.m., to take the matter intoconsideration. KAI XWI BRIDGE. Cr Heslop called attention to the. state of the Kai Iwi Bridge leading to the. Railway Station. The planking being laid lengthways was very shaky, . and sprung so much as to cause 1 the whole; bridge to vibrate to a dangerous' extent} besides rotting the timbers by admitting--grit and water.*' H9 proposed tbatnew_> planks should be laid , diagonally, across the old ones, and the whole well coated with tar. The Chairman remarked that there was no doubt as to the desirability of the proposed work, but the state of the Council's finances did not permit them to undertake it then, and they must try to patch up the bridge withjas little expense as possible. ■ This was agreed- to. HOSPITAL. Cr Robertson, the Council's delegate at the Hospital Conference, reported that the following memo was proposed by the County delegates and agreed to by the \ Counoil ;— That towards the erection of a new hospital in Wanganui the town' shall contribute the sum of £1,000, and the Counties of Wanganui, Rangitikei, and Manawatu,,. £300 each. That the present arrangement as to contributions from Counties for patients sent in by their order, shall held good during the pleasure of each of the subscribing Co nties. That the duty of completing andfurnishing the new budding, and providing all necessary medicines, and other assistance, shall devolve on the Wanganui Borough Council. That in.; any future extension of the Hospital, any revenue derived from the old hospital, over and above the amount spent by the Borough for purely hospital purposes, shall be devoted to such extension, whether such extension be required for Borough or County patients. That .each, '_ subscribing County shall have the power - to send dne member to the Hospital .Management Committee of eight mem- . bers, the Borough furnishing the remain, ing five; ' . ■ ' ' The plans of the new Hospital were then considered. They were prepared by Mr Ross, with the advice of Mr Bamb'er. and Dr Earle, and are in all respects, I think, well digested, and in every way suitable. They were adopted by the meeting, and it was agreed that tenders be called for in two montW. time,. , { (Signed) W. H. Robertson. r The report was unanimously adopted. ' - ACCOUNTS. Several accounts were passed for payment, but Mr Betta' account was held over for an interview with that gentleman. . ' This concluded the business, and the ; Council adjourned. n«'