WEST TAIERI BRIDGE DEPUTATION.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2227, 27 June 1870, Page 2

WEST TAIERI BRIDGE DEPUTATION.

A deputation from the settlers in the neighborhood of the West Taieri Bridge waited upon the Deputy Superintendent this morning, at 11.30, te represent the inconvenience 'and loss arising from the parrial efforts to repair the approaches of the West Taieri Bridge. Messrs J. Shand and Allen, members of the Provincial Connell, were members of tbe deputation, and the request of the settlers was stated by Mr Shand, who stated that although embankments had been erected to form approaches to the West Taieri Bridge, they were invariably washed away, should four hours rain cause the river to rise. This had occurred four times since January, and so great was the inconvenience arising from interruption to traffic, that the settlers met together and appointed the deputation to wait on his Honor, with the hope that their representatives would induce the Government to proceed at once to form effective and substantial approaches. .He considered it perfectly absurd to go on filling up when the ground was washed away after every flood, as such temporary expedients cost at least LIOO every time, and the whole of the earth was washed into the river, the bed of which was consequently rising. The want of access to the bridge caused great loss to the district. Drays were sent to town by the settlers, and there was not any certainty they would be able to get back again. The Deputy Superintendent: Is the river passable i o v ? Mr Shand believed the river had fallen, A member of the deputation said it would require sixteen horses to pull a loaded dray through at present. Another remarked that the probability is that, if the evil be not speedily dealt with, tho river would be turned into tho lagoon near it. It was further represented that sometimes it was necessary to wait four or five days before drays could pass the bridge. The Deputy Superintendent asked if a sum of money was not passed by the Provincial Council for the repair of the bridge ? Mr Shand replied L2OOO was appropriated, and that L3OOO was voted for the repair and maintenance of the road, which, however, being in good condition, the settlers would be satisfied if a portion of it could be appropriated to forming tho approaches to the bridge. One of the deputation said net only was the traffic stopped, but private property was being injured by the non-repair ct the approaches, and the owners, he considered, had cause of action against the Government in consequence. A little village had grown up there, the inhabitants of whom wore much inconvenienced through there being no certainty of being able to puss the bridge, and drays had frequently to be encamped days before they could cross. The Deputy Superintendent promised to bring the matter under the notice of the Government to-morrow.