THE PIPE BRIDGE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1808, 22 July 1913, Page 4

THE PIPE BRIDGE.

AND TEE EASTERN APPROACHES. Something in tho nature of a deadlock has been reached in tho matter as to tho allocation of the cost of providing road-" way approaches from the eastward to tho now pipe and traffic bridge over the Unit River. It will bo remembered that the City Council consented to make its newpipe bridge a substantial one for traffic under an agreement with benefiting bodies (Lower Hutt, l'otono, and Eastbourne Borough Council), and the final payments for that work have been made. This, /however, still left a length of roadway 1 across tho Hutt Park (to cost about ,£550) to bo /completed before tho new bridge could be of any material benefit to tho eastern sido of tho lower valley and eastern harbour residents. A small service bridge over a scction of backwater will also have to be constructed in connection with the road. This work accomplished, tho only work remaining to bo done will' bo the formation of a road through the Gracefield Estate (to bo made bj 1 tho owners under agreement with tho city), to mako almost a straight run through from Jackson Street, Petone, to tho Lowry Bay Road.

Tho Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) recently held a conference with the Mayors of tho Lower Hutt (Mr. E. P. Bunny) and Petone (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan) respecting the allocation of the cost of tho road through the park. At that conference Mr. Bunny, on behalf of his council, refused to shoulder any further financial liability, his contention being that though the land so offered up was within tho Hutt borough, tho development that one might reasonably expect would moro materially benefit Petone. Mr. Luke's personal opinion was that tho opening up of thi6 land would bo of considerable benefit to the Hutt Borough qs it was oil good laud for closo settlement. Tho Mayor of Petono held that it was a work that was largely cast upon tho city, and his borough council was not prepared to make a movo itself. . "I am making a proposal," said Mr. Luke, "in which I think I will be supported by the council, under which tlio city will finance the undertaking on a joint liability with Petone, the latter Borough Council's share of tho cost to bo repayable over a period of three years. As this road will bring Petone into close communication with a big area of good flat land right at thoir back door, I.think tho proposal a fair one."