THE WAIKATO BRIDGE AT CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3163, 1 October 1892, Page 2

THE WAIKATO BRIDGE AT CAMBRIDGE.

A commission to enquirfi as to tho apportioning of the cost of maintaining the above bridge was held at the O t house, Cambridge, on Thursday, by C.iptain Jacks'ti, R.M. The proceedings commenced at 10.30 a.m. by tho magistrate reading the commission—-:i lengthy and formidable document. The following gentlemen represented the various local bodies interested :—Messrs Lang (chairman), Anderson and Drnry (clerk), Waipa County Council ; McPhersou (clerk), Forrest and Gwyniieth, Waikati County Council ; Chepmell (chairman), Seddon and Westby (clerk, pro. tern.), Piako County Council ; J. H. Prie.-tiy, Catnbiidge Borough.

The (irst witness examined, was Mr John Fisher, of I'ukeriinu. Ho thought the bridge was of most use to the Waipa County, but that the Piako anil \\ aikato Counties should help to support it,

Mr Jas. Anderson was very much more emphatic in his views. Hβ considered the bridge of more »*.-■ to the Piakn Comity than the Waipa. If he had to apportion tho cost he should doit as follows :—Waip.-i, 30 per cent; Cambridge Bn-ough, SO p.-r cent; Piako, 21 per cent ; Waikiito, Jo p,T cent.

Mr Chas. Chitty, who resides close to the bridge and has every opportunity of judging of the traffic, said Waikalo-Piako settlers used the bridge, but not near as much as the Waipa settlers. He thought Waikato settlers used the bridge more than Piako for ordinary traffic, but for stock Piako used it most. The bulk of the traffic across the bridge was from Waipa County ; even on Sundays the tiatlic was very great, Tho Borough traffic was comparatively light.

Mr S. Seddon, manager of tlm Gorton Hstate, after speaking of tho tndlic from Pinko and Wailcato Counties, said he thought Cambridge could not get on without the bridge;'if the bridge was down another town would soon spring up on the other aide of the river.

The Magistrate appeared to think the Cambridge We.-t people could not get on without the bridge, as they drew their supplies from Cambride.

Mr John Gwyniieth spoke as to various distances, and stated ho thought the Waipa County furnished as much or probably more tiatlic that crossed the bridge than the Counties of Piako, Waikato, and B >romdi of Cambridge altogether.

Mr .fas. Forrest, chairman i>f the (innbridge Road Board, stated ho always ns.-sl tho Narrow's Bridge, anil th;ittho whole of tlio ratepiiyi'M of the Cambridge riding could do so without .'in)' inconvenient'-'. Hi' estimated that .VLr Jas. Taylor's f.mn iva< about equi-Uistant from Onaii[)o hv eith-T route, but he »;ibsi;quent!y stited that 11 u* Cambiidße r mte would he about tiuee miles further than the X.imut's mid. The Court was then ad journed fur ten minutes to enable the Heads of the ], ><:al Bodies to arrive at a:i amicable I ment, but the WniU-H-i authorities woni I not have anything to do with the milter, s > ths endeav n>r fed through. Upon the Court r.'sr.minjr, Mes-v F, m;r and Priestly and McPhetson ad.-ire.-svd (he Commissioner, -uid the. ouqni.-y wa« lli.-n adjourned tili next court d,.y, Tth pr s 1110, when the cost- will be awarded.