THE KIWITEA BRIDGE.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 15, 17 July 1895, Page 2

THE KIWITEA BRIDGE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR. Sir, —As the bridging of the Kiwitea stream is of paramount importance not only to the town of Feilding and Kiwitea people, but to a large number in and round Colyton, Pohangina, and the Harbor Board Block, I cordially agree with your article of yesterday, but beg to offer a suggestion to the Borough Council, and the other local bodies concerned in the matter. It is this: The erection of temporary bridges. I think a small bridge could be built aDd the approaches made to it, at a cost of about £20 or £30, which would be quite strong enough to drive over sheep and cross light vehicular traffic, such as buggies, traps, and store carts. Judging by the little footbridge which was erected some time ago, I do not think a small bridge such as I speak of would wash away more than tw© or three times a year, and even if it was washed away five times, it would not cost more than £150, or interest on a bridge of £3000. There would not be much loss in the washing away of a small viaduct, whereas if a big bridge went, it would ; be a loss of really more than the cost, because the interest would still have, to be paid whilst the bridge would be minus. AgaiD, supposing the big bridge did stand, the approaches might, like the bridge at Awahuri, be continually washing away and thus cost hundreds of pounds to repair. Of courso with my idea, there would be a little inconvenience at the time of a fresh and during the re erection of the small bridge afterwards. It would not, however, b« more tban a day or two, because timber sufficient for a number of such bridges could' always be kept near the spot. As for waggons, heavily loaded drays, &c, they can nearly always find a way across the stream. Trusting that my suggestion will be worth considering while the course of the stream is in its present unsettled state* I am., &c, O. C. Pleasants. Halcombe, July 17th, 1895.