TOLAGO BAY BRIDGE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1431, 15 April 1905, Page 3

TOLAGO BAY BRIDGE.

£To the Editor .Gisborne iTimea^

Tolago Bay, April 13. Sir, —We, of Tolago Bay, have bean treated to a good deal of “ bridge” lately, and the treat is to last until tha 24th.

Although we have used up a great deal of one gentleman in the construction, we have still a large quantity on hand, including some of another gender lately supplemented by the County Counoil. In all, I _ think we have sufficient left on hand for about a mile more bridge. The County Council seems to have had no diffidence about arrogating to itself the deputing of someone to open the bridge, but in view of the fact that it opposed the scheme as long as it could do so with effect, and has since merely as in duty bound carried out the law relating to the * raisiog of a.special loan and the expendi- - ture of it, and tho supplementary grant from the Government, I fail to sec why it should have interfered further than to notify the bridge as completed ready for opening. . It has beep stated, and I think that it is beyond doubt, that the bridgo is entirely due to the exertions of the member for the district, Mr Carroll. Surely then, if this is so, be should have been accorded the privilege of nominating a lady to cut the tape, even though ho might not bo able to attend himself ; but I cannot hear that he has in any way been approached in the matter. The only tbiDg I can glean is that s proposal of his to have the bridge opened on the 17th instead of the 24th, in order that he and possibly other members might be present, was not acceded to, although tho bridge is, as a matter of fact, ready for use at the present time. If Mr Carroll had bsen given an opportunity of choosing, and ho chose Mrs Carroll, the right would bo a dual one, or any lady relative’of hie own, or any Maori lady relative of the principal local chief, deceased or living, it would be well within the fitness of things. But failing these I should certainly say Mrs A. Beeves, who ia the first European lady who was married in the locality, and whose property forms a part of the security for the special loan, or her daughter, Mrs Maude, who is the first European lady born in it, have superior claims. It will be said, and it is quite true, that Mr Holder ha 3 done a great deal of the local detail work connected with the bridge, but as he seemed to want to do it otherß 1 simply permitted, and so relieved theme selves of fcbe trouble. In alluding to the County Council I i speak of it as a body, with duo regard to e the personnel for the time being, and to members who may have formed a minor,,l ity.—l am. etc., “ J W. F. HALE.

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