THE TEREMAKAU BRIDGE.

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 January 1903, Page 3

THE TEREMAKAU BRIDGE.

Deputation to the Premier.

(oufi OWN COfiRESKufDENT.)

The Premier visited the Teremakau bridge yesterday accompanied by a strong deputation consisting of Mr Larkin (Chairman of the Grey County Council), Cf M'Kechnipj Mr Clifton (Westland County ,Chairman), Crs Byrne/ Puff, and M'GratH, with Messrs Phillips and Evans County Clerks, the rnombei;s of s the Kumara Borough Council, the District Engineer Mr Thompson, Mr Higgins (Grey) and Mr J. C. M'Farlane (Westland) engineers. After inspection by the party Mr Thompson was asked by the Premier to give his opinion as to the best course to pursue in repairing the damage. In reply, he suggested bridging the gap at a cost of about £SOO. It would give so much extra waterway. Mr Higgins in answer to a similar question agreed with Mr Thompson’s Suggestion. Mr McFarland thought it better to fill in the gap,again. Cost about £2OO. Mr Seddon said ihat he was not an engineer

blit he had an Idea and it was to bridge Ijalf and filljn the other half. The work could then proceed from both ends. While they were driving piles from the bridge the approach could be re-made, This would save time and could be done for about £4OO. From the appearance of the river he thought the bulk of the water would be on the North side in future. The extra span that would be gained on the old bridge by only filling up hall and bridging the other half would give about 35 feet more waterway and that was considerable.

, Flynn who was present at the recent flood; stated,, in answer to a question, that the water was within inches of the decking, and gave it as his opinion that had not the approach gone some other part would have been swept away. Mr Seddon, continuing, placed the three proposals before the deputation, and asked them individually to express an opinion. All accepted the middle proposal of half bridging and half filling, Mr Byrne while accepting, remarked that he would like to know something definite about a new bridge, as the present one was rotten and might go anytime. Mr Seddon replied that it might stand a month, it might stand a year and it stand five years, no man could tell. Coming to the cost he had decided that the Government would bear one third, and the three local bodies the other twothirds. The Government had proclaimed the river ds a tailing site. They were gelling watfer to the niiners using private races, and to others using the channels; and receiving a large revenue, thereby. He was satisfied that these tailing deposits being swept down by each sue cessive flood, were causing the damage. The Government deriving a benefit from the miners, and these causing the damage; the Government should, hb thought pay part of the cost. The work could be proceeded with at once on the terms offered, in order to open up a way for traffic again. He would recommend a grant of £SOO from the Lands Department for flood damage and would advise wiring at once to the Minister of Lands. As regards a new bridge the matter would have to come before Parliament. He would advise the local bodies interested to ask the co-operation of the West Coast representatives to press the matter on Government and Parliament. This closed the interview and the party returned to town. About 930 p.m. the Premier and party returned to Greyraouth by special train. It will be a few weeks before the repairs are completed and in the meantime some provision must be made for traffic. The foot bridge now being built will not be strong enough apparently for more than foot traffic. What about general goods, machinery and particularly coal for the four dredges? Around by Marsden is a costly way. As the dredges have only a few days more coal in hand it is a question of getting a supply or else closing down which latter moans 30 to 40 men thrown idle and prospective dividends more prospective than ever. Supposing the repairs to the Teremake u bridge cost £SOO, the Kumara Borough’s share will be about £llO. Where is the money to come from ? That is the problem. Mr Seddon admitted that the finances of the local bodies had gone bung. It is a moral certainty that the borough cannot find the money and that being so why impose impossible conditions. However, bo :h the river gap and the financial gap will be bridged by someone and that is satisfactory.