Aorangi Bridge Commission

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 106, 5 March 1892, Page 2

Aorangi Bridge Commission

Friday, March 4, 1892. ( Bolero Mr Brabant, Commissioner.) Tho Corwriiwioner resumed the enqiury re th« proptmd bridge at Aorangi on yesUsriiny morning. Beforo the regular proflooding* cfjuiinonccd Mr McKenzie wished to irtuko an nxplanation of a statement rnado hy him at the last meeting ofthe flrirpiiry, tho ntaternent being that he had wsvf-r applied for work to the Manawatu Koad Board, in 1886 he had submitted a scheme for river protective works. He did not want to be employed to carry out tha work. Mr Bray waft sworn, and His Worship read over the evidence previously given by Mr Bray. By Mr Sandilands : The area drained by the Feilding-Bunnythorpe road is a little larger in the Manchester Road District than the Manawatu district; it would be an equal advantage to the Manchester district ; he could say of his own knowledge the settlers on both sides ofthe river desired a bridge ; tbe distance from Mnnro's corner, Lees line, to the Gorge is 15 miles 8 chains by the Aahurst-Feild-ing road ; from the Gorge along the Feild-ing-Bunnythorpe road and Aorangi to the same place 14 miles 16 chains ; from the Gorge via Awahuri bridge 19 miles ; the plans produced of tbe proposed bridge were prepared by witness, who alao prepared the specifications, copies of which were sent to the Government aud to the local bodies; would consider tho bridge as shown on the plans' snitablo for the place ; the estimate of £3000 is a fair and reasonable one ; knew the habits of the river from 12 years experience ; was capable of speaking as to tne kind of bridge required. By Mr Prior : Was aware the Feilding Borough had been applied to to contribute towards the maintenance and construction ofthe bridge ; four bodies had been applied to; the Feilding Borough had agreed to pay, which was aU they wero asked to do. Mr Bray was cross-examined at great length by Messrs McKenzie and Grant. Mr Prior, on behalf of the Feilding Borough, called Mr W. G. Haybittle, who deposed: Was Mayor of the Borough; tbe rateable value of the' Borough is between £8000 and £9000, tbis represents the annual value of the rateable value; the general rate produces £440 9s ; the Borough contributes one-half of the maintenance of Menzie's bridge; the bridge was built before the Borough was formed, it was built by the Manchester Corporation ; the control of the bridge is invested in the Manchester Boad Board; the Feilding Borough had received notice m reference to the construction of the proposed bridge, and a resolution was passed, in which the Borough agreed to contribute all they were requested to. Mr Haybittle said he was a storekeeper in Feilding, and knew that people came into town for stores ; sometimes people are obliged to walk over the river and leave their horses ou the other side of tbe river ; ' the team is used considerably ; about three storekeepers, two bakers, and two butchers deliver goods on the other side of the river ; these would be the principal residents in Feilding who would derive a direct benefit from the construction of the bridge; the major' ity of residents wishing to go to Palmersten would go by rail ; thought the erection of the bridge would increase the vehicular traffic towards Feilding much more than it would be the other way ; have known Feilding from its infancy. By Mr Sandilands : The Borough has other income than from the rates ; hotel licenses bring £120, an. auctioneer's license £40,. Government subsidy £140, in all the income would be about £800 ; he considered it would be of considerable advantage, so much so that the Borough would be justified in contributing one-fourth of the cost ; the Borough Council were unanimous in agreeing to contribute the amouut asked for. Mr McKenzie and Mr Grant crossexamined. By Mr Sandilands : Have land other than store property, and would thus be able to judge what would benefit the land owners; it would not necessarily follow that because a man had a farm he would be the best judge as to the working of it ; in a similar manner the Manawatu Boad Board might be in error. By His Worship : Knew what the bridge would cost; putting aside who is to pay for the bridge he considered tbe benefit would be commensurate with the cost ; he thought the Manchester Board should hear a larger portion of the cost tban either of the other three local bodies, but not an excessive proportion ; thought the Manchester Board should pay a little more than the Borough, and, came to; the conclusion that one quarter was as much as the Borough could pay, and that the rest should be divided between the other three bodies. By Mr Prior, Mr G. C. Hill, Clerk of the Borough Council, deposed : The estimate of the income for the current year was £856 ; expected this amount would be realised; the income would be increased by £50 for the next year ; read the minutes referring to the proposed new hndge as follows, dated Sth February, 1891: "That this Council is willing to bear one-fourth share of the annual interest on loan proposed to be borrowed to construct the bridge over the riyer at Aorangi, in accordance with letter from Manchester Boad Board." — Carried ;, the Borough Council, by resolution, agreed to contribute £37 10s, one-fourth of the amount ; a conversation had taken place previously in the Council, when it was stated the payment by the Council wonld not exceed £50 ; this was simply a conversation ano?' no minute was taken ofthe matter. By Mr Sandilands: Estimated the re' ceipts would amount to £100 more for the ensuing year than in the current year. By Mr Prior : There are about 30 miles of roads in the borough ; about 23 or 24 miles are formed ; new roads are being formed each year. By His Worship : The rate is ls on the rental value, which is £9674; arriyedat the capital value by multiplying the rental value by 20. Mr Grant, for the Manawatu Boad Board presented a petition With 186 signatures against the construction of the bridge. [The commission continued its sitting again to-day, a report of which wilt be published in our next issue.]