WAIHENGA BRIDGE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 831, 1 June 1910, Page 2

WAIHENGA BRIDGE.

QUESTION OF SUBSIDY. With a view of ascertaining whether the Government would be. prepared to give a subsidy towards the cost of rebuilding t'ne Waihenga bridge over the ltuninnhanga river, a deputation consisting of Mr. M'Leod, chairman of the Featherston County Council, Mr. Ross, of tl|e Martinborough Town Board, and Jir. Card, of the r'eatherston Town Board, was introduced by Mr. W. C. Buchanan, M.P., to the Hon. E. MTCenzie (Minister for Public Works) yesterday. The deputation urged thati the bridgj through ordinary traffic had become unsafe for heavy traffic. They did not want to know on that occasion how much the Government was prepared to give, but they would like the assurance of the Govornme"it "tint it would h'ilp in connection with the undertaking. A new bridge in timber would cost .£5500; whilst one in ferro concrete would run into XSSOO. Mr. JlMvenzio said that the Department engineer had reported that the condition of the bridge was due to excessive use by traction engines. Members of the deputation: Such . is not ihe case. Mr. Jl'Kenzie (continuing) eaid that tho engineer, recommended that no vehicle load weighing in all more than two tons should be allowed to pass over the structure. Such a stipulation was a common one to make in .Tegard to bridges. There was, he understood, a ford near the bridge, which could be used by traction engines. According to the .deputation, however,' that would be impossible. Mr. M'Kerizie then said that ho conld not make a promise in the- matter on his oivn responsibility. He would, however, refer the matter to Cabinet in order to see if the work was one for which provision should be made in the Estimates.