TEREMAKAU BRIDGE UPKEEP

Hokitika Guardian, 14 September 1928, Page 3

TEREMAKAU BRIDGE UPKEEP

A conference of local bodies concerned in the upkeep of Teremak.au bridge was held at Kumara to-day. There were present: The Mayor (Mr Spiers) and Crs McDonald and Burrell representing the Kumara: Borough; Air A. Robinson, County Chairman and Air J. Higgins, County Engineer, representing the Grey County; Air E. A. Wells, County Chairman, Or. Ward, ALcssrs Alillner (Overseer) and Evans (Clerk), representing the Westland County.

Air Spiers, who presided, considered the bridge in need of urgent repairs. An application for a Government grant had been refused, though he was still hopeful of something being granted. He suggested a joint .application by the three local bodies concerned. Ala- Wells; who apologised for tlio absence of All* Alurdoch, agreed that the bridge should lie attended to. It was a question of finance, and he enquired if the bodies were prepared to contribute their quotas.

Air Robinson said the Grey County would find its share, and considered that meantime an application should be made for a grant.

Mr Higgins said there was an annual vote for renewal of bridges from the consolidated fund, but tbe district share of the amount available was exhausted for this financial year. A subsidy might be car-marked for next year to ho available after tbe 31st. March. Air Evans thought they should first ascertain what expenditure would lie necessary. The vote referred to by Air Higgins was usually on a £ for £ basis, but as £IO9O bad licen mentioned as the probable cost, could tbe local bodies find their share. When the cost was ascertained, application might he made for a subsidy of 30s for 20s. Air Evans also luggcfsted that when the time came round, application should be made to include the bridge as a secondary highway, iu view of the importance of the bridge in maintaining an industry which provided so much freight for the railways.

Mr Burrell said the cost of placing running planks on the bridge was £507 and the extra sheathing required to the piers through the scouring of the river would probably cost another

£SOO. . . Mr Ward said he was there m place of Air Alurdoch, who had been detained. Personally he .recognised the importance of the bridge to the we - faro of the district and their hrst though should lie for its upkeep. ‘ concurred in the suggestion to hud out what amount of money was required and shape their application accordingly. . , . Mi- McDonald agreed with that vie and it was resolved on the motion o the Alavor, seconded by Mr Wells that application bo made for a rob™ >' " f 30s per 20s towards the cost of the renewals necessary. The Mavor undertook to telegraph Ihe application as soon as Afossrs HigAlillner and McDonald agreed ns to the sum likely to he required Air Robinson suggested a deputation to support the request. On this point it was agreed thnt Mr Evans,

w |,o would he in Wellington on the •2(ith. iust.. he authorised to wait on the Government, and press for financial assistance on the lines agreed to by the Conference. Subsequently a visit of inspection was naid to the bridge where data was collected on which a report will be compiled and an estimate made of the cost of the work considered urgently necessary.