BOWER BRIDGE

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21111, 12 March 1934, Page 4

BOWER BRIDGE

♦ REPORT ON ITS PRESENT CONDITION REPAIR WORK NEEDED The Bower bridge over the river Avon, on the North Beach bus route, is to be repaired, this decision having been arrived at by the Heathcote County Council at its latest meeting after hearing a report detailing the repairs necessary to put it in a safe condition temporarily. Cr. F. W. Freeman expressed the opinion that the bridge was dangerous, and~Tie thought that it was a wonder that there had not been a crash on it, as it was not wide enough, 16ft hardly allowing two cars to pass on it. Tu the discussion it was stated that the New Brighton borough, the Heathcote and Waimairi counties were each rusp.nsible for one-third of the cost < f the repairs. Mr F. Langbein, District Engineer, Public Works Department, forwarded a report on the stale of the bridge by Mr F. C. Schwartz, an officer of the department, who inspected the structure in company with Cr. W. Kerr and the county inspector, Mr A. E. Inder. Present Condition of the Bridge The report stated that the abutment earth planks had completely decayed, only fragments remaining, but the cl3v banking was dry and showed no signs of falling. The caps at each abutment were showing signs of decay at one end of each. Repair to the caps was considered necessary in the near future. The wing wall

sheathing was all out of line and .several planks were missing, but the earthwork was holding well. The batter of the earthwork did not greatly afi'ret the stability of the approaches and was overgrown with grass, wi 1 ' w, and blackberry. The centre pile of Pier B had a rotted hole about fin long by (iiii deep and 4in wide at high wafer mark; otherwise the pier was in good condition. Repair work did not appear to be very urgent. The upstream pile of Pier C required an iron hoop to prevent further fracture; it also required a new Gin by 3in by l!3it brace. I'ilcs Partly Decayed The upstream pile of Pier D had decayed for about one-half its sectional area at high water mark and required stumping; Pier E was in a similar condition. In several places the sealed surface was breaking away owing to the joints of the deck planks not being caulked. Repairs would not be costly if undertaken at an early date. Details of the repairs wen; given, the total estimated cost being £■};>. As far as could be tested below low water mark the piles appeared to be sound. The bridge was built about 1870-187-!. The county council has decided to call for tenders for the work. Criticism of the working of the small farm scheme was made at a meeting or the Auckland executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, a resolution being passed rescinding a previous decision approving the scheme. It was stated that sustenance to occupiers of small farms should be a lirst charge against the proceeds of the holding rather than a charge upon the State. The present system of taking the whole of a man's dairy cheque to settle outstanding accounts was condemned particularly because it was considered that this practice had a bad moral effect.