THE MAEREWHENUA BRIDGE.

Evening Star, Issue 3664, 19 November 1874, Page 3

THE MAEREWHENUA BRIDGE.

It will be recollected that in the early part of October last we published a letter by the Provincial Secretary, in reference to the refusal of the Provincial (Government to accept fhe offer of the Genera! Government to advance L 5,000 towards the cost of a bridge over the Maerewhemia, because it was made conditionally outbeplansbcingsubmitted fc.r the approval of the Colonial Engineer, and the work itself being subject to the approval of the Minister of Public Works—conditions which the Provincial Government regarded as “ a serious innovation, and one which, by giving divided responsibility and control in carrying out public works, would have the most injurious effect ” Mr Steward, M H.R., in addressing his constituents at (>amaru on Friday last, referred to the matter in these terms :

Just prior to bis leaving Port Chalmers on his way to the session, the Provincial Treasurer, vfp Turnbull asked him to endeavor, whi’e in Wellington, to obtain an advance of L 5,000 to the Province for the c instruction of a bridge over the Maerewhemia at the railway crossing a vote having been by oversight omitted to be taken at last session of the Provincial Council, He promised to do so. Two or three weeks after the session commenced Mr Sumpter, M.P.C., wrote to him and to Mr Eeid on the subject, and the latter offered to assist him, Mr Steward, in obtaing the advance. They waited an opportunity, and thought they saw one under the Provincial Public Works Advances Bill, which authorised an advance, among others, of L 4,000 to Marlborough for bridging the Clarence. Mr Reid made no objection to his (Mr Steward’s) suggestion that they should endeavor to obtain the insertion of a similar danse authorising L 5 000 to be advanced to Otago for bridging the Maerewhenua—although he wished them to mark this—one of the clauses of that Bill expressly stipulated tb *t the plans for the works authorised should be subject to the approval of the Colonial Government. It was found that as the Bill was introduced by message, such an additional dause would have to be sent down bv message, and the Government did not see the necessity of this, Mr.Richardson pointing out that if the Superintendent would recommend to that effect, L 5.0.00 might be advanced to Otago out of the 1.60,000 set apart for roads and railways in the lV iddle Island. The Superintendent recommended accordingly, and next day the Colonial Government seat a reply according to the recommendation, They might judge of hia surprise then when he learnt from Mr Macandrew in Dunedin, on bis return from the sessioa, that the Provincial Government objected to accept the advance merely because the condition was attached that the plans should be sent up for the approval of the Colonial Engineer, He telegrauhed on the 10th inst. to Mr Richardson, inquiring why no progress had been made with the work, and received a reply from Christburch, stating that he had instructed the Secretary in Wellington to-send particulars next day. Mr Knowles telegraphed as follows :

Wellington, November 11. Hon. Mr Richardson is at Christchurch, He desires met. reply to your telegram of yesterday.

You recollect that on the 27th August the Superintendent applied for the advance of L 5,000 foy the Maerewhenua bridge, and that next daffct answer was sent agreeing to do so, the design to be submitted to the approval of the Engineer-in-Chief.

On tlie 10th September the Superintendent replied, objecting to the necessity for the Engiueer-in-Chief’s approval. He was informed on the 24th September that as the bridge was to be built out of the L 60.000, Middle Island, equivalent for same amount voted for North Island roads, it was a Colonial work and required the Engineer-iu-Chief’s approval.

Ori the 30th September tbe Superintendent replied as follows, viz.;—“ When I addressed you on 27th August on this subject, it was under the impression that the bridge in question was an extension of the Awanioko Railway now being constructed by the Provincial Government, without reference to the Colonial Engineer. I also inadvertently regarded the Lo.OOO referred to, as being practically an Extension of the North Otago Loan. As, however, I have been mistaken in these assumptions, I have now te request you will be good Enough to consider the letter in question withdrawn.”

John Knowles, Under Secretary for Public Works, They would, see that he had faithfully carried out his part of the matter, hut he could not help saying that the refusal of the Provincial Government to use the money when it was at their disposal appeared to be due simply to a trumpery jealousy of the Colonial Government.