NEW BRIDGE OVER THE AVON.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1022, 4 October 1877, Page 3

NEW BRIDGE OVER THE AVON.

A largely attended meeting of the inhabitants of Bingsland and surrounding neighbchood, was held last evening at the district schoolroom, to consider the question of erecting a new bridge over the Avon. Mr J. L. Wilson, chairman of the Avon Eoad Board, occupied the chair. The Chairman read the advertisement calling the meeting, and said the first business would be to ask Mr M. S. Campbell to explain the chalk tracing of the situation of the proposed bridge, which had been drawn on a black board.

Mr Campbell pointed out the position of the bridge, which is to be in continuation of the East town belt, and said that when the City Council were waited upon on this matter he had promised to give a chain road of his Jand on the line pointed out, and the reserve road as shown would also be widened. Mr Bowron, though not wanting a bridge, had stated that he would throw no obstacle in the way of it, which meant that his land might be acquired. Were the bridge in existence, as he hoped it would soon be, not only would it open up the roads pointed out by him on the board, but it would prove a very great convenience not only to the inhabitants of the district, but also to people coming from town. Dr. Turnbull, who was called upon to move the first resolution, said he failed to see what special qualification he possessed to move so important a resolution, but he did so with pleasure, and felt certain that the representations of that meeting would result in a cart bridge being erected, which would prove so great a convenience to so large a district. Not only would the circuit of the city be completed by this means, but the inhabitants had a right that they should be placed in easy communication with those on the other side. The present great circuit that had to be made deprived many of the householders of many privileges, of easy access to the town schools erected at so great an expense, and many were debarred from attending their churches from want of this access—[Hear, hear] —besides the privilege of visiting entertainments, &c. Not only would the circuit of the city be completed by the erection of such a bridge, but the belt, which at some near future time would become the drive for invalids—the Rotten Row and Boulevards of Christchurch. [Applause.] It would be hard to estimate what the result might not be; but one thing was certain, it would not only prove a very great boon to invalids in their search for health, but if the wishes of the meeting were received, as he was certain they would be, the inhabitants would have what they were justly entitled to, viz., easy access to the property for which they paid their rates. [Cheers.] He had great pleasure in moving the foliowisrg resolution — "That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable that a substantial cart bridge should be erected across the river Avon on the East town belt at Ward's brewery, so as to complete the circuit of the city." Mr G-rierson had great pleasure in seconding the resolution, and though not. personally interested in the erection of a bridge, as his property was further down the river, still he could endorse everything that had fallen from Dr Turnbull.

In reply to a person in the meeting, Mr Campbell said the city surveyor's cost of a cart bridge over the spot indicated would be £2OOO.

The resolution was put and declared to be carried with one dissentient.

Mr J. Ollivier, who was next called upon said that, like Dr. Turnbull, he felt gratified at being asked to take part in the meeting that evening. It was a surprise to him that such a bridge had not been erected years ago, as this was really the intention of the Canterbury Association when they laid out those beautiful belts. [Applause.] Why should not they in years hence have the belts the Boulevards of Christchurch, where those who were sick, well, and lazy could recreate. [Laughter.] And so much health would they have then that they would be able to do away with all the doctors. [Applause and laughter.] In his opinion the absence of such a bridge was a stain on Christchurch, and also on the Eoad Boards, who had so much money that they had to let it out at interest. [Applause.] Supposing the bridge were to cost £2OOO, what was that amount ?—merely a fleabite, and the improvement to the properties would soon pay the interest on the money besides the many little suburban villages that would shortly spring up after easy access obtained with the city. [Applause.] Besides Christchurch would not always remain within its present bounds. By-ana-bye they would have one large city taking in all their present Road Board districts, the only

division being wards. [Cheers.] The Avon Board was rolling in wealth and should put their hands down deep into their pockets to help to pay for a bridge which would prove such a boon to so many. The Heathcote district which was so much interested should do the same, and depend upon it the City Council would act right: in the matter. For the sake of such an amount as £2OOO, he felt that the erection of the bridge woild soon be a consummation, and the two Road Boards and the City Council would no doubt give a grand entertainment to commemorate its opening. He had great pleasure in moving the following resolution:— " That a memorial be signed and presented to the Christchurch City Council, the Avon Road Board, and the Heathcote Road Board, requesting them to take joint action to carry out the wishes of the meeting, as expressed in the foregoing resolution, and that a house to house canvass be instituted in the said three districts to obtain signatures to the same." Mr H. Lee seconded the motion.

Mr G. L. Lee would like to ask Mr Ollivier what particular benefit the Heathcote district would derive to justify the Board in subscribing towards the erection of such a bridge ? He had heard from some of the members of the Board that no help could be expected from them. Speaking as chairman of the East Christchurch school committee, he sincerely trusted the bridge would be erected, and soon, as another examination would shortly take place, and many children now attending the Bingsland school would be above the standard of those attending that school, and would be compelled to attend the town schools. He was assured that if the Avon Road Board dealt liberally in the matter the City Council would throw no obstacles in the way, and he trusted the erection of the bridge would soon be an accomplished fact. Mr Ollivier said that as he had been challenged by Mr Lee as to the reason why the Heathcote Road Board should subscribe, he would remark that that Board would have no right to attempt to throw cold water on any work to be carried out for the public good. [Cheers.] The Heathcote Board were responsible for keeping their side of the belt in order, and as the original intention was to connect the whole of the belts they would not be doing their duty if they not only did not throw any obstacles in the way but did also not subscribe liberally to this bridge. If however the Road Board thought otherwise, then it Avould be the dutv of the people to improve the tone of that Board. [Applause.] The resolution was put and carried unanimously amid applause. Mr Hadfield moved—" That subscription lists be opened towards the acquirement of funds in aid of the work."

Mr Lodge seconded the resolution, and said he and many others were most anxious to subscribe to the best of their ability towards the erection of such a bridge. Mr Campbell said he had not moved or seconded any motion during the evening, as if the bridge were erected, his land, by which it would pass, would be increased in value, and so would, of course, that of others. Regarding subscriptions, he felt that they would be required, and as not only those residing in the district but also doctors and tradesmen would be benefited thereby, he felt certain the subscriptions would be very general. A person in the meeting suggested that a tax should be put on the butchers and bakers crossing the bridge. [Laughter.] In reply to a question, Mr Campbell said that in conversation with Mr Bowron, that gentlemen had shown him how much of his garden would be required for the proposed road. He (Mr Bowron) would not obstruct the acquirement of the land, but had not said what he would require for it. The resolution on being put was carried unanimously. Mr Ollivier would suggest that as the district would have to be canvassed some persons should be engaged to do the work ; and as he had not much faith in voluntary canvassing, and some preliminary expenses for this purpose, and for advertising, would be required, he would like to see a subscription list opened in the room to defray these. Mr Gr. L. Lee having taken the chair at Mr Wilson's request, the latter gentleman said that this question of a bridge had been before the Avon Road Board some twelve months ago, and not having funds they were only in a position to offer £SO towards a footbridge. The Road Boards had not been fairly spoken of that evening, and he should mention that the two Boards (Avon and Heathcote) were only favored with a division of 3 per cent, under the action of the Selwyn County Council, while country Road Boards received 7& per cent., and many of these had money out at interest which would not be required to be used for years. The sum to the credit of the Avon Road Board was about £llOO, and taking advantage of the large supply of labor, they had entered into many contracts. That sum he had named was all the money they at present had. —[Mr |ollivier —And another subsidy is now due ?] —Yes, but the Avon Board never knew when they were to receive it. By the division of the money by the Selwyn County Council (and he thought the representatives of the district were to blame for this) the Avon Board had lost what would alone have built the bridge. The City Council might give half the expense, but he did not think the Heathcote Board would give anything, as they had even refused to erect gas lamps, as requested, from the Stanmore bridge along that dangerous part of the river as far as the brewery. After showing what expense for a long time a Road Board was put to in keeping new roads in order and how it diminished the receipts, Mr Wilson said that ho did not think the bridge would be of such a benefit to the district as many thought. It would at least take about £6OO to complete the road to New Brighton, and with all this the Bingsland people also wanted the Board to subscribe largely towards the bridge. A better expenditure in his opinion would be widening their main road, and though wishing them a bridge with all his heart, he did not think they ought to call upon the Board to spend money in erecting it.

Mr Flesher asked and obtained permission to refer to the necessity of widening the East Christchurch and Stanmore roads, and moved a resolution bringing this matter before the notice of the Avon Road Board. Dr. Turnbull said at the last session of the Provincial Council a sum of money was voted for wideningjroads where required through the suburban districts. Mr Wilson said the Avon Road Board had received money from the Government with which some land had lately been purchased at Papanui for the purpose mentioned. Mr Flesher's resolution having been seconded, was put and declared to be carried.

A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the business of the meeting.