HAMILTON PROBLEM.

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17869, 15 November 1929, Page 9

HAMILTON PROBLEM.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —I note a letter in your issue this evening' headed as above, and the subject matter of the letter on the action of our worthy Mayor has been a problem to me, in that I cannot understand why he is “rushing the position" of utilising the present railway bridge as a trafflo route for the town of Hamilton. There is no doubt whatever that another bridge across the Waikato calls for urgency, and to suggest this bridge as a means to this end Is, to my mind, not Ailing our requirements, as there would of necessity be considerable delay in securing such as a traffic bridge even if it were suitable, which it is not. One of the reasons advanced for a new bridge is the congested trafflo in Victoria Street, and I would venture to say that this bridge would add to the difficulty by diverting a large volume of traffic right into the centre of the busy portion of the street and would be impossible as a stock route to connect with Frankton. Taking a broad view of the position, that is to say to view the matter as it concerns the ■farmer (and let me add these folk have to be considered as well as the townfolk and their convenience must be considered in a project of this kind); to this end the bridge should be such that it will assist them in reaching our town with a minimum of difficulty, and to meet this need such a bridge would require to be placed as far north as it is possible to place it, even approaching towards No. 1 bridge, as there are signs that the town is rapidly developing northwards. This will spread the traffic, especially vehicles, and prevent the oongestlon that the railway site would create. A bridge at the north end would make an easy access to the Frankton saleyards and also to the Hamilton main station at Frankton, as is suggested by the Borough Council. I am bound to admit that the railway site will immediately benefft more people who are living in the Glaudelands area, but we must let our vision carry us, say, twenty years ahead. Time will come when a bridge will also be needed for this area; but I cannot imagine any council or local body taking over a second-hand structure such as the present railway bridge. The very nature of the bridge is such that the upkeep and maintenance would outweigh any cost that a modern concrete structure would entail and there would be the satisfaction of knowing that a durable bridge existed, whereas the iron structure must surely decay, as is the case with our present bridge, whioh is causing so much concern. ■Much more can be written on this matter, but the problem which faces me is why ore council should attempt to relieve the congestion in Victoria Street by trying to secure the railway bridge and the other by attempting to secure a second-hand structure for the town’s requirements. But then there is a tendency to go for second-hand articles, as was recently shown in the attempt to secure the town clock from Christchurch. We have a town which is worthy of the best’ not only in material but also in the direction of visualising the future and its requirements, ahd to this end the bridge site i.s of very great importance.—l am, etc., A.M.