Bridging the Pohangina River.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 2, 3 July 1894, Page 2

Bridging the Pohangina River.

Notwithstanding the very unfavorable weather of last Saturday, thirty ratepayers met in Mr Corpe's woolshed, Pohangina, to consider the question of erecting a traffic bridge over the Pohangiria river. Mr Dickin was voted to the chair, and introduced the subject by saying he had convened the meeting *t the request of a number of ratepayers residing on the eastern side of the river, who were of opinion that the time was now ripe for erecting the proposed bridge. It had been roughly estimated that the cost of the proposed bridge would be somewhere about £5000, of which sum it was hoped the Government' will contribute £2500, leaving £2500 to bo raised" by loan by the ratepayers. The annual interest at 5 per cent, would be £125 for a term of 26 years. The present rateable values of the district interested in the proposed bridge are as follows :— No. 2 Ward, £24,000; No. 4 Ward, £14,762; the Delaware, Salisbury, and Pohangina Blocks, £20,905 ; making a total of £59,667. A rate of fd in the £on the on tiie above valuation would produce . £155, a little more than sufficient to pay the interest on the cost of the structure. In choosing a site the Chairman asked the meeting to keep the following points in view : — (1) The permanent utility of the bridge. (2) The cost of construction and maintenance. (3) The moat direct means of communication for all interested with the railway station, livestock markets, etc. The Chairman then asked the meeting to suggest suitable sites, and the follow* ing were proposed: — Beehive Creek, Messrs Browne and Gorringe; Ferry Road, Messrs Lynch and Hughey ; a cliff at the north end of Mr Wm. Aiker's property, near the Manchester boundary, Messrs Print and Green. The sites suggested were then dis« cussed in a very nearly manner. The Chairman proposed, and Mr Lynch seconded, That this meeting resolve itself into a deputation to visit the sites suggested. —Lost. Mr Browne moved as an amendment, and Mr Gorringe seconded, That the whole of the ratepayers interested be invited to join the deputation to visit the proposed sites. — Lost. As a further amendment Mr Green proposed, and Mr Print seconded, That a |committee consisting of eight gentlemen be selected from this meeting. - This amendment was carried, and the following were selected; — Messrs Geo. Hunt, Hughey, Diokin, Browne, Lynch, Smith, Palmer, and Spelman. Mr Hughey proposed, and Mr Print seconded, That the next meeting be held on Saturday, July 21st, at 2 p.m., Mr Corpe's woolshed. Mr Browne moved as an amendment, which Mr Gorringe seconded, That the next meeting be held at the Road Board office. The motion was carried, only four voting for the amendment. The meeting thanked the Chairman and dispersed. — Standard.