Waitangi-Taona Bridge Site.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 September 1920, Page 3

Waitangi-Taona Bridge Site.

ENGINEER'S DECISION CONFIRMED. Some littilo time ago tlie settlers and j •esidents of the Wataroa district sign- j id n petition prayng that the site for ;he proposed Waitangi bridge might be ’ daced lower down stream than adja- | lent to the present main road crossing, j rhe change of site involved a new route l’or the main South road also, flic proposal was t 0 continue on by 3ci£j!y roacf from the Matainui Dairy Factory out to the Waitangi river bed. Flience the bridge would take traffic across to the south side of the Waitangi river, and tap the nmy Waitangi settlement, through which a deviation road would pass to join the main road again clear of the freehold land towards Lake Wahapo. This route would give direct road communication for the dairy settlers at South Waitangi with the cheese factory at Matainui, and also afford access to good nulling coun-i try where sawmills are now being estab-

lishp.fl. J The petition was forwarded to Mr ( < Seddon M.P. for presentation to the : ' Hon. Minister of Public AVorks, wlijch 1 i was done jn due course, and the following Ministerial reply fc has now been re- i ceived confirming the original site as selected for the bridge on t|ie present Main South road:— In further reply to your letter of 23rd ultimo, relative to the proposed site of the bridge over the AVaitangi Taona river, I have liad this matter investigated, and from a report which I have obtained I am advised that if this bridge is shifted further down the river as suggested by settlers, there will be a great; dagger in time of flood of the Waitangi-Taoina river breaking through flowp a small creek into Lfiko AA-ahapo, and if this were to occur the road approaches to the bridge would be washed out, and a new bridge would probably have to be ereetpd over tho stream made by the flood wat.-* leps. The site determined upon by the Department is undoubtedly tho safest site [ on which to erect the bridge, being pro 1 tected by strong bluffs on either side 0 f ; ; the river. It is also pointed that > ! when traffic is resumed on the mam i, ' rpad the route by the site proposed by i the Department will be one mile slifort- ) or than that proposed by the petition- ’ | j,, v iew of the above I consider that ■ the site selected by the Department e should be adhered to..— (Signed) J. G. Afitiiofiir of Public oi'bs*