TE AROHA TRAFFIC BRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume LVII, Issue 8046, 1 November 1906, Page 2

TE AROHA TRAFFIC BRIDGE.

+ JOINT ACTION. The Piako County Council yesterday was met by membsrs of the Te Aroha Borough Council in reference to the erection of a traffic bridge over the VVaihou river at Te Aroha. Mr R. L. Somers, mayor of the Borough, said the object of the deputation was to ask for the constitution of a small committee from the County to confer with the representatives of the Borough, in order that the matter might be thoroughly diacussel as to the style of the bridge, site and estimates. As they knew, a £ for £ subsidy up to .£1,500 had been placed on the Estimates, and it only required co-operation to bring the matter to a successful issue. As regardi cost, it would be only justice to let posterity bear pirt of that, as the new structure must b-> of a substantial charaoter. Mr Gavin, Chairman of the County Counc 1, said the only thing that could be said waa that a bridge was necessary. The Councillors were unanimous, however, in the desire that the briign should be placed in a position where no dauger to life and limb was to bB feared from traius. As they were aware, a Government enginaer had stated that what he considered the mjre desirable sire would cost .£.500 more than that alongside the railway bridge, but the spia' er asked, what waa jESUO compared with less of lite and limb? Mr Keeley contended that the site should be unanimously fixed before either body b»und itself. '1 be Chairman said the independent engineer to be employed, would of course, luve a great deal to do with the selection of a site. Eventually it was decided to form a cornmi r.tee of three representatives of each body to report on the question. When the deputation withdrew, the Chairman said, in reply to Cr. Keeley, said he understood that the two Councils would work in conjunction. Cr. Keeley thought it bettor that the Borough fhuuld erect the bridge, as otherwise there might bo friction. Crs. McGloin and Larney considered that tbo Ohinetnuri County Ccuncil, which contributes to the upkeep of the railway bridge, should be joined with tin two bodies. Other Counc llors opposed th's, on tle ground that if this were done, the Piako County would be called upon to contribute to the Mangaiti iind Paeroa bridges. Crs. Gavin, Larney and Ring were deputed to represent the County Council.