THE RANGITATA BRIDGE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1017, 9 August 1883, Page 2

THE RANGITATA BRIDGE.

We take the following from the Timaru Herald's report of yesterday’s meeting of the Geraldine Ccunty Council:— The Chairman said the solicitor to the Ashburton County Council, Mr 0. W. Purnell, had written demanding payment within fourteen days of half the cost of the Rangilata bridge, or else legal proceedings would be taken to recover the amount. On receipt of this the Chairman said he did not call a special meeting, nor did he see any necessity for the Council delaying proceedings. What he proposed was, and he had given the due notice, that the resolution passed at the last meeting of the Council should be rescinded. rHe thought it necessary to do this. Of course the Council had it in

their own hands, and it was for them to say whether what he proposed should be dene, or that they should go to law. He was averse to the latter proceeding, as it would take a lot of money. This Council should have.an opportunity of; enquiring fully'into the matter,’ and learn wliat position the Ashburton County Council were going to take up with regard to it. Perhaps it would be wise to have the suggestion made by one of the members last meeting tried—have the work, reported on by two competent, engineers. Mr MoKerrow explained to the Board what action Mr Clulee, Mr Moody, and himself had taken in the matter. He now suggested that a deputation from the Council wait upon the Ashburton County Council and lay the whole matter plainly and fully before them. If they, did so there was not the slightest doubt but that the members of that body would do all in their power to come to a satisfactory arrangement with this Council. He deprecated going to law about it, as he did not see any necessity for such a proceeding To his mind their Chairman was far too ready to comply with thje Ashburton County Council’s wishes to act against this Council. The Chairman said that it was no use sending a deputation up to Ashburton, unless they did as ha proposed. . The deputation would be bound by the resolution passed at last meeting, and the Ashburton County Council would simply tell them to wait until a flood came. By such a proceeding the Council would be simply making fools of themselves. Mr Moody had no doubt the Council were of opinion they would have to pay the money owing, piovided the work had keen done in a satisfactory manner. Still he thought it not unreasonable or unfair in asking to have the work tested by a flood, n e had lately been over the bridge, and from casual remarks made had gathered that some of the iion piles had broken in driving, and that nothing had been done to repair them. In the course of the next two months there was almost sure to be a flood in the river, and if the bridge stood the test, he would be in favor of the money being handed over.

Mr Talbot in seconding Mr Tripp’s resolution said that he had not altered hia mind in the slightest, and still believed that the test proposed by Mr Moody was too indefinite. The only way to find out about the piles was for the Council to appoint engineers to go and examine them, and then to report to the Council. The Council should, if possible, avoid going to law. The best thing to do was to rescind the resolution passed at last meeting, and then appoint a deputation to wait on the Ashburton County Council. Mr Sherratt agreed with Mr Talbot. He suggested that an engineer appointed by both Councils be engaged to report on it. As regarded the question of the flood test, he thought it did not much matter, as this Council would have to pay whether the bridge was carried away or not. Mr Moody explained that as disputes between governing bodies were generally settled by Government he should like to make the proposal to the Ashburton County Council that they ask Government to appoint someone to settle this dispute. If the Ashburton County Council wanted to go to law about it, this Council should not hinder them. The case could not come on before the December sitting, and by that time the bridge would have been well tested by floods. He did not feel inclined to rescind his former resolution, and would therefore vote against the one before the Council

Mr Tripp’s motion—“ That the resolution passed at last meeting of this Council re Rangitata bridge, be rescinded,” was then put and carried. A discussion then took place upon the appointment of a deputation. Some of the members were of opinion such a proceeding were quite unnecessary, whilst others held a contrary view, and thought it was quite right that the Council should have the opportunity of fully inspecting the article they were asked to bear half the cost of. It was decided on the motion of Mr Talbot, seconded by Mr Tripp—- “ That the Chairman, Mr McKerrow and the mover, be asked to form a deputation to wait on the Ashburton Council and explain to that body the position taken up by this Council in the matter of the Rangitata Bridge question. ” The Clerk was authorised to inform the Ashburtbn County Council of the 'above deciaion. and to arrange all matters in connection therewith. At a later stage of tbe meeting Mr Talbot moved, 1 Mr Moody ‘seconded, and it was carried—“ That the Geraldine and I Mount Peel Road Boards be asked that I in tho event of the Geraldine County j

noil having te pay one-half of the i of the Bangitata Bridge extension, i they be prepared to contribute U.,000 h out of their ordinary fund, as, failthe contribution being made, this uncil will consider the question of levyt a special rate on their district. Before the Council adjourned, Mr iterson gave notice of motion as follows; That a rate of Jd in the £ be struck > defray half the cost of the Bangitata ridge.”