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Woodville Examiner, Volume XXII, Issue 3826, 19 January 1906, Page 3

ferry could not be used and the traffic was suspended. Many travellers preferred the Gorge road from Palmerston to Pahiatna to the Range road, despite the extra distance, owing to one being level and the other hilly. By Mr Fit/,Herbert—Witness could not give the name of any person who had expressed this preference. His tally was a direct statement of those who would use the bridge if it was there. During the period stated 14 persons had come and gone to the Pohangina. Cyclists predominated over every class of travellers ; there wore very few foot passengers and about 20 motors. No stock was crossed, except one cow, during the period taken. By Mr Smith —It was cyclists usually wh.) expressed a dislike for tho Range road. He knew nothing of the road himself. By Air Pattison—He could not say if the Siberia road was made there -would be any necessity for the new bridge. By Mr Sandilands—lf the bridge was built he thought there would be increased traffic over the road. Thomas Lowes, a resident of the district on the west side of the Gorge, said he had been there since 1880. Had charge of the original punt. The river was very liable to flood. His house was formerly known as the Gorge Hotel. There was a certain amount of traffic now, but nothing like what it would be if there was a bridge. The punt was worked under difficulties, and there was a great element of danger in crossing sometimes. The bridge was very necessary. People preferred driving stock by road to trucking them. Had seen pass through as many as 80,000 head in a season when the bridge was there. The supplies of sheep chiefly came from Hawke’s Bay and Manawatu. The benefit to Palmerston and AVoodville was about equal. Should think the benefit was equal to the East and West Coasts. Palmerston would benefit considerably, so would Woodvillc, so would Kairanga. Could not say as regards Pohangina. Tho bridge would benefit all the country on the other side of the range. The sheep he referred to came from Dannevirke and Waipawa districts. By Mr Loughnan—His experiences of stock traffic were prior to tho completion of the Pahiatna track. Had no experience between the time the bridge was washed away and the opening of the Pahiatna track. Stock came by train principally now. Emphasised the fact that he would not go by Pahiatna track if driving stock from Hawke s Bay to Palmerston. Did not know the Ballance road, but believed that it was a bad road for stock. By Mr Fitzherbcrt —Had a hotel at the Gorge when the bridge was there. Was not doing extra well. Was not in the hotel when the bridge was washed away. Was away from the district. Was positive that if the bridge was rcerected a license could not bo got for the hotel. Did not think that his land would increase in value if the bridge was re-erected, though his property was improving every year. Air Fowler, representative of the D.1.C., had written to him several times asking if he could got through, and he (witness) had had to tell him to go hy rail. Air James Vile, farmer, Kiwitea, had also written vc getting across. Did not think the Palmerston people wanted the bridge. They want the Hokowhiti bridge. Know of several other men who would use the bridge if it was erected. Was not aware the Siberia road was a good stock road. If it was, why were the people asking to have it deviated? Knew that a bridge was being erected at Ranmai over the Pohangina. Was not aware that there was a road leading from the bridge to AVoodville. Had heard drovers say that they would prefer to go through the Gorge road. Could not say if more stock would come over the bridge if erected than come over the Range road now. The district of Ashhnrst would benefit considerably by the erection of the bridge. Pohangina would also benefit. Had not the slightest doubt that there would be a considerable increase , in traffic if the Gorge bridge were rccrectcd. By Air Smith —Reckoned that Palmerston, AVoodville and AVaipawa would benefit most. Pahiatna did not require the bridge as it had the Range road. By Air Gothard —Did not know where the boundaries of AVoodville and Pahiatua were. When he spoke of AVoodville, he referred to the whole district. By Air Burnett —Did not know how long it was since the Gorge road was available for traffic. Knew it was blocked for a considerable time. Thought most benefit would be derived by AVoodville find Palmerston districts. fly Air Jull—AVhen he spoke of the Stock traffic be -was speaking of 16 years ago. Could not say what proportion of (be traffic came from AVaipawa. Jpsepli Clark Maunder had been a resident of Ashhurst for 27 years, and had frequent experience of floods in the Manawatu river. In his opinion the bridge was necessary. If the bridge were there there would be three timps as many using it as do now. Could not gav whpre the hulk of the traffic which used to cross the bridge came from. Palmerston Borough would benefit to a greater extent than any other body. Kairanga and Feilding would also benefit, Pohangina would benefit. The Whole of the bodies on the east side of the Gorge would benefit. The AVhariti road was no good for wheel traffic. By Air Loughnan—The road was a iTgiiii road and must benefit both sides of the range. By Air Fitzherbcrt—As a resident of Ashhnrst he did not care much whether the bridge was rc-erccted, Knew the Gorge road. Considered it a safe enough road for stock. The road was quite good now for vehicular traffic. Was not aware there was a good road from the bridge at Raumai to AVoodville. About three or four miles was not passable. Considered the Gorge bridge was of more benefit to Pohangina than finishing the AVhariti road. By Mr Sandilands —Assuming the AVhariti road was ipade he did not think it •yvonld be used in preference to the Gorge road by the Pohangina people. John Aitken, was formerly ferryman qt tho Gorge. The bridge waft iq existence 0 years. All classes of traffic went over the bridge except hikes and motor cars. Sixty or seventy thousand head of cattle passed over the bridge in a year. They came mostly from Hawke’s Bay and Wairampa. AVhen tho bridge was first opened the traffic increased very piucji, An it wtis nop' traffic was blocked. Considered the Gorge road perfectly safe for traffic. It was just as safe as the Range road. Palmerston got the most benefit of the whole lot from the Gorge bridge. Knew the AVhariti road. It was a good road for i;oats. A|l tfie cpba from Balmerston over the ferry, and paid the two tolls on the way to Woodvillc in preference to going the Range road way. 3hiring the last year tin*-bridge was in existence about L4OO was taken in tolls. There were two tolls then, one on each bridge. AVhen the coaches were running the revenue from them was about i'4 10s a week. By Mr Fitzherbcrt —Fully sixty thousand sheep used to go over the bridge in a season when he was toll-keeper. The Gorge road was one of the best in New Zetiuind for stock. His farm uason the opposide side of the river from Palmerston. Witness had to drive jiis stock Vppnd and over t|ie Fitzherbcrt bridge.

By Mr Smith—Palmerston. Woodville, Feilding and Dannevirke would benefit most in the order named. Pnhiatun, would benefit also. Thought the Government would pay half the cost of tho bridge if the people went the right way to work, By Air Gothard— Did not know where the stock used to go once it crossed the bridge. Jack H. Vincent, residing at Ashhurst, stated that he had known the old bridge for a number of years. The traffic passing in thatdireetion whilst the bridge was in existence was considerably greater than before the bridge was built, and would have been even greater if there had been no toll to pay. The Palmerston Chamber of Commerce desired the bridge to be constructed, and had held meetings about it. By Afr Loughnan : The public generally would benifit of the bridge was built. Witness did not personally care whether the bridge was built or not. He had no financial interest in the bridge being constructed. By Air Fitzherbcrt—Witness could not give* any information as to quantities in regard to the traffic which passed over the old bridge. At 5.20 p.m. the Commission adjourned until 10 a.m. to-day.