BRIDGING THE WAIHOU.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4463, 6 September 1922, Page 1

BRIDGING THE WAIHOU.

THE KIBIKIAI CONTROVERSY. OPINION AT TURUA. Once more the proposed Kirikiri bridge was the subject for discussion by the Turua Ratepayers’ Association’s committee, which met in the Turua Buildings on Monday, Mr D. G. McMillan presiding. Mr Madgwick reported in connection with deputations which waited on the last meeting of the County Council. He said they had got no satisfaction in connection with taking a vote on the Kirikiri bridge. He thought the County Council’s policy with bridges a good one, but they got no satisfaction regarding taking a vote. The chairman said they could claim to have done one thing. Without “T.urua’s growl” they would not have been in the position they were in today. They had done a jot of good, and had got the rating area spread over the whole county. They had obtained a fair amount of support from outside. It had also allowed the Ngatea area to be included at a cheaper rate, Mr J. Schmidt: Have you any feeling from the Thames County ? The Chairman : They are practically independent. They only contribute £6OOO, and it is a good thing for them. By spreading the rate over the whole of the county, said the chairman, the rate would come much cheaper. The whole of the bridges would only be about a shilling an acre in the Turua riding. Mr P. R. Henry was of the opinion that the agitation by the Turua Ratepayers’ Association had forced the County Council’s hand. It had been a good bargain for all concerned that bridges should be county matters. Mr Gardiner said there was a petition from Turua town area fully signed up, to be presented to the Hon JG. Coates, Minister of Public Works, against the erection of the Kirikiri bridge. Mr Henry thought the Netherton people were also mbving in that, direction.. Mr J. Beck said the place had outlets at present, and the Kirikiri bridge was a little before its time. When the population of the district increases the burden would be less than it is at the present time. Mr Madgwick also thought the bridge scheme was premature, the first essential being roads. Mr Gardiner moved that the position in connection with the Kirikiri bridge be defined at this meeting and be put before a general meeting of ratepayers. Mr Henry seconded, and the motion was carried. Mr Henry proposed that the Association request that the petition m circulation in Turua by the Turua Town Board against the Kirikiri bridge be held up till it could bp discussed by the Association. Mr Beck seconded, the motion, which was carried. It .was also decided to invite representatives of the County Council to attend the proposed general irieeting.