BATTLE OF THE BRIDGES

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4300, 5 August 1921, Page 1

BATTLE OF THE BRIDGES

COUNTY COUNCILS’ ATTITUDES. THAMES AND HAURAKI. DIVERGENCE OF OPINION. Somewhat lively discussion on the Puriri bridge proposal took place at a meeting of -the Thames County Council on Wednesday, Cr. H. Lowe, chairman, presiding. Mr E. Wallen, clerk to the Hauraki Plains County Council, wrote asking that in view of certain representations made by a deputation which waited on his Council in respect !•» the proposed Puriri bridge; the two councils should hold a conference, at which objections from both parties, for and against the bridge, could be heard. In the meantime his Council had asked the Minister to defer nis warrant until the conference had been held.

The chairman said that the vogue of ferries haff given place to one of bridges, but the bridges movement was being killed with kindness. The Puriri bridge poll had no sooner been carried when there was opposition to it.. Then the Kirikici bridge proposal came up, the no;io:» emanating from the Hauraki Plains. Next came the Hikutaia-Netherton bridge. Three bridges would be very fine, but the Thames County was asked to help pay for. the three, of ,a total cost of £150,000. People were expecting the Government to contribute half of the cost of .the three, but would it ? He thought not. He could not understand the attitude of Hauraki Plains County Council, .which had, without as much as “by your leave,” asked the Minister to stay his authorisation. H? wanted bridges, but he did no.t want to ruin ,the prospects by asking for three bridges.

Cr? R. Cox said there naff been no direct opposition to the Puriri bridge; it had already been authorised, and there were no grounds for the conference. Cr. P. Faithful, supported Cr. Cox. Cr. J l . McCprmick took a similar view. He was surprised at the Hauraki Plains County Council Further, the two leading men of the present opposition were .the original champions of the Puriri bridge. When the change to the Hauraki Plains County took place, and the property of two gentlemen he alluded to became rateable for the bridge, then they ob jected.

Cr. E. Nicol was also opposed .o any conference.

The chairman pointed out that, after the poll became null and void owing to a small illegal technicality, and Hauraki would not agree to the construction of the bridges unless the tolls were applied to maintenance, then the whole of the cost was thrown on to the ratepayers. However, he was rather surprised that the Hauraki Plains County Council had asked the Minister to withdraw authority without asking the Thames County Council’s sanction.

Cr. J. McCormick asked what the Hauraki Plains County Council would think of Thames County Council if this Council now went back on the Kirikiri bridge.

Cr. Faithful moved that the Thames County Council considers that the Puriri bridge question is settled, and that the Council declines to meet the Hauraki Plains County Council in conference on the matter. Cr. R. Cox seconded. —Carrie!

unanimously. It was also decided that the chairman and riding members should interview the Minister of Public Works on the matter. HIKUTAIA-NETHERTON BRIDGE. The Hauraki Plains County Council asked Chat a conference qf the three councils concerned (Hauraki, Ohinemuri, and Thames) be- held to discuss the plans of .the proposed bridge. The chairman said that the Council had several bridge propositions on hand, and he wanted to know where they were going to stop. Th,e Kirikiri bridge was estimated at £50,030 on the old estimate, Puriri £27,000, Hikutaia £lO,OOO, Kauaeranga main bridge £lO,OOO. Kauaeranga South £6OOO. There were 17 bridges on the Hastings riding, only one of which was in good repair. The WaL kawau bridge would cost between £2OOO and £3OOO, and sb would the Mata bridge. The rates of the riding only amounted to £7OO per annum, which, after administration and general expenses had been met, left little for maintenance of roads and bridges, much less for capital expenditure. Cr. W; Brunton said the Hikutaia bridge was a very necessary one. sffick were delayed on the ferries. The bridge would develop the district. Cr. J. McCormick supported. Cr. A. Alley said the people who wanted the bridge were prepared io pay for i,t; the cost would not come out of the general) fund.. He moved that a conference be held.' —The chairman and riding members were apopinted. .

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