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Western Star, Issue 282, 1 February 1879, Page 5

At the meeting of County Council oa Monday next a question of

very great interest to two of the most importrnt ridings in the County will be I brought on for consideration. We refer to the erection of bridges across Jacob’s River at Collie’s Ford and Upper Ford. Certain desultory efforts have been made in times past to provide this much needed accommodation ; but owiug to the right means not having been taken, or the advocacy of the work not having fallen into the most suitable hands, the works have not up to the present time been undertaken. Whatever the I’eason of the failure, it concerns ns very little now, and it would bo wise to let the “ dead past bury its dead” in dealing with ihe matter. At the meeting of settlers held last week to consider the question, a very strong and unanimous expression of opinion was given in favour of the project. The near completion of the railway to Otautau brings the question prominently before the great body of the settlers in the Aparima and Otautau ridings, as it is felt that in order to secure the advantages the railway affords access to the line must be had by means of bridges. A deputation was appointed at the meeting referred to, with a view to bring the matter before the County Council, The necessity of the bridges is so patent that no argument will be required in introducing the subject. The sympathy of nearly the whole of the members of the Council is in favor of the project, and the only difficulty—a powerful one by the way —is how to raise the necessary capital. It is useless delaying longer in the hope that Government will take the works in hand. It is clearly the duty of the County to construct the bridges, and wo hope it will rise to the responsibility of the occasion, and prove that it is able to carry out its legitimate functions. The only way to do this will be to borrow a sufficient sum to construct the bridges. So greatly are the settlers interested in the matter, that we believe there would be no demur made by them to a vote for the purpose. We have no doubt the question will receive the most careful consideration from the Council on Monday, and there is very little doubt but that the result of their deliberations will be that some practical steps will be taken towards placing the settlers in the Aparima and Otautau ridings in a position to enjoy the full benefit of the railway by bridging Jacob’s River at the places named.