AKATARAWA BRIDGE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2127, 20 April 1914, Page 6

AKATARAWA BRIDGE.

STATE AID SOUGHT.

A FAVOURABLE REPLY-.

Tho Minister of Public Works (the Hon. W. i'raser) was interviewed on Saturday by a deputation consisting of tlio members of the Hutt County Council and representatives of the siwvmillers in the Akatarawa. district, which asked for a Government grant of £10.00 towards the cost of constructing a new bridge over tho Akatarawa River. The Hon. A.-L. Herdman was present, and supported the request.

Mr. T. 51. Wiltord. M.P., who introduced the ■deputation, explained that the.present route from Upper Hutt to Akatarawa traversed throe bridges, two of which were large. These two bridges had been condemned and wereliow only fit to bear light traffic. It was proposed to make a road- deviation and build a new bridge. The necessary xoad-work, acquisition of land) bridge-apiproaches, and tho bridge itself, v.'ero estimated to cost in tho aggregate £2000. The expenditure of. this sum would provide a better route than now existed lor heavy traffic, and would enable all such traflio to be taken olf the existing bridges. Of the sum required the sawmiUers would -subscribe- £100, tho ratepayers of the district would agree to a special rate which would mako it possible to raise £750, and the Hutt County Council would provide £150. It w,as hoped that the Government would provide the other £1000 required. Mr. Marlow, representing tho sawmillers, said that they'.Would not only find £100, but ..would pay" 40 per cent, of the special.rate. The'weight of the maximum load permitted to pass over the existing bridges had been twice cut down, and the industry was being crippied. ' ..'.•• •• ■

Mr. M. Welsh (chairman of tho County Council) said-that his council had x beeii compelled to' cut down tho loads to protect itself," but* tho restriction was very hard, on the sawmillers, who paid the county £25 a year for every vehicle they nscd. Unless a now bridge were provided 'the- sawmillers would have to abandon the. industry, and at present etghfc. to ten v thousand feet of tionbar per day passed over the . '■..-•

Mr. Herdman eajd ho had visited the district,, and felt perfectly, convinced that the application was one that deserved the best consideration of the Government. . ■ ' ■

Mr. Welch said that it would cost at £2000 to renew, the existing bridges, .biit that it would cost very little to maintain them for a long timo in a fit state for light traffic. Mr. Howe (a County Councillor) said that the now bridge was in the lino of what would j eventually be a road connecting the two coasts over which stock could be shifted in three? days, or possibly four days, less time than at present from one coast to another. This was a big consideration to farmers on both coasts.

Mr. Eraser, in reply, said that lie thought tho deputation had made out a very good ease for assistance. Hβ must, of course, get the opinion of hia engineers before coinine; fa a decision, and he would obtain the necessary Tβport at once, and let: Mr. "Wilford know what lie would do. Meantime, lie could not say anything definite, but , he. thought it more than; probable that the Government would grant the assistance asked for. He could not orovido the money at once without denying to other peoplo money which had been already voted upon the Estimates. This he would not do, but there was a way of gettino , over the difficulty. Provided ho decided.to place a rote upon the next Estimates, tile local body could have plans prepared, and put the work in liand. The money for tho next Estimates would be provided l out of a loan which probably would not be floated before next February. This year the Government had to raise a loan to pay off short-dated debentures. However, if ho said that ho would put a vote on tho Estimates the local body could go on with the work, as had been done in other cases, on the understanding that the Government grant would be paid as soon as money was available. The deputation thanked the Minister for the way in which he had met the request. ■