BRIDGING THE WAIHOU.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4465, 11 September 1922, Page 2

BRIDGING THE WAIHOU.

KIRIKIRI BATING AREA. OBJECTIONS AT NETHERTON. DISSATISFIED SETTLERS. Great dissatisfaction with the policy of the Hauraki Plains County >n connection with the proposal tp bridge the W.aihou River a* Kirikiri was expressed at a meeting of Netherton settlers on Friday evening. The attendance numbered about 100. Mr J. A. Reid was elected to the chair. The County Council was represented by Messrs J. C. Miller (county chairman), G. Death, and A. Chatfield, C. W. Harris, C. W. Parfitt, E. Walton (county clerk),, and J. Higgins (county engineer). The chairman believed that .the council intended to have the Kirikiri bridge built and to rate the whole of the county. The ratepayers wished to discuss that proposal and other, county matters. He called upon Mr Miller, the county chairman, to give the meeting a few details concerning the proposed bridge. Mr Miller said the Kirikiri bridge had been held up for many years. When the figures were put before the meeting he thought they would agree that the whole of the county as a rating area was the better policy. I: was the council’s duty to see that the ratepayers were not oppressed. Hl gave a. few details of injustices of. thepoll systein. He asked Mr Walton to give figures. NETHERTON’S RATES.

Mr Walton said the figures he had with him dealt with the unimproved value in various parts of the bounty. The bridges named were tlie Kirikiri, Pipiroa, Hikutaia-Netherton, Ngatea, P.atetonga, Orchard, and Puke bridges. The Maukoro deviation bridge had also been mentioned, but since then the Tahuna people had wished to break away from the Plains County and join the Piako County. The figures he would give were based on the four remaining ridings. The approach roads for the Kirikiri bridge would be paid by the settlers in .that area. For the-Netherton riding the rating on the bridges, according to figures quoted by Mr Walton, would be as set out in the table given below. Column A is the rate per acre on the land north of Southern Awaiti, B.is on the land in Southern Awaiti, and C. is the rate in the £: Kirikiri bridge, (A) 27-10 d, (B) MOd, (C) 3-17 d; Pipiroa bridge, (A) 27-10 d, (B) 3-10 d, (C) 3-17 d; Hikutaia bridge, (A) 1 4-sd, (B) l-sd, (C) 3-25 d ; Ngarua and Patetonga bridges, (A) 1 4-sd, (B) l-5d (C) 3-25 d); Orchard and Puke bridges, (A) %d, (B) l-12d, (C) l-20d. Total rate per acre (A) 9%d, (B) 1 M2d. Some little time ago it. was proposed by the Netherton ratepayers that they should rate themselves for the Hikutaia-Netherton bridge. That would cost the Netherton riding 7d per acre, and the Puke bridge l%d, totalling B%d per. acre. They would be better tp join in the lo.’; for 9%'d per acre. The Ngarua and Patetonga bridges would mean a rate of about the same as the Hikutaia-Netherton bridge. The Netherton riding would have to bear half, which would make their total bridge rate ll%d. Replying tp Mr T. Vowles, Mr W'alton said tlie upkeep for the Puke bridge was borne by the Ohinemuri and Hauraki Plains counties. BRITISH LIBERTY. Mr 'S. J. Laughlin maintained that it was an inopportune time to go in for bridges. It would be a better policy to (1) spend money on the roads and (2) spend some money for fresh water for the Hauraki Plains. The Nethetrop riding had to bear the burden of three loans—-the Puke bridge, a metal, and the machinery loans. When the Harbour Board and the Kirikiri bridge loans came on they would have five loans. A Voice : How about the Rivers Improvement ? Mr Laughlin : That would make another one. It behoved every man, he said, to be most particular about the big loans. “How many of us will use the Kirikiri bridge?” he asked. “If any of us want to go to Thames we go by train. It would take some of the horses here a day tp go to the Thames.” (Laughter.) Reading was the first thing to the progress of the district. He would like to see tlie same spirit carried out in the council as in other councils; that is, take a poll. A Voice: They’re not game. Mr Laughlin continued that a poll was British liberty, and it gave a ratepayer a chance to say whether he would take that burden or not. (Applause). He would like to see the Council at its next meeting say definitely whether it intended to gO on with the bridge or not. “I’ll tell you straight, gentlemen,” he concluded. “I’m right up against it.” Mr R. H. Heappy questioned the advisability of basing the cost of the bridges on figures submitted by the clerk. The Kirikiri bridge, it seemed to him, was the only one for; wh-lph there was any engineering advice taken. Mr Miller said the three bodies concerned had selected on an engineer to give an estimate for the Kirikiri bridge. The engineer had tested the bottom of the river and recommended a ferro-concrete bridge, which would be permanent. It was the engineer’s estimates on which they based the figures and not on the clerk’s figures. Mr Heappy said estimates had been given by an engineer for the Kirikiri bridge, but for the other bridges the costs were only assumed. Mr G. Death said that on the Hiku-taia-Nethertpn bridge they had got an engineer’s advice. “GIVE US ROADS.” Mr Laughlin: If we hook on to the Kirikiri bridge we nurse the baby for 33 years. Mr Harris: I beg to remind you, Mr Laughlin, that the whole of the county will also nurse that baby. Our council believes honestly that it is the most equitable way to spread it over the whole of the county. We are launching out for something better. Voices : Give us roads. Mr Harris: Gentlemen, you Will

get ypur roads. You must acknowledge that the Council is not foolish enough tp build bridges without the roads.. You stated, and rightly so, that roads are the first consideration. You must remember that the County is oply a young county. You don’t realise the up-hill fight we are having. You will get your loads, but with your roads you must have bridges. You will have interest in the Kirikiri bridge, and the people at the other, end will have an interest in yours. We are partners in pne big concern, and w.e must not be parochial. If it. would cost you more, then you would have some grievance, but you will pay less for bridges than if you wer,e running your own little show. BRIDGE ESTIMATES. Mr Miller said the estimate for the Kirikiri bridge was £58,000', the Hiku-taia-Netherton £24,000 (given by Mr E. F. Powell), Pipiroa £lO,OOO (Public Works estimate); the other bridges mentioned (Ngarua and Patetonga) were put at £4OOO each (the County’s share), the Lands Department to find similar amounts. These were based on the cost of the Orchard bridge, which cost £6OOO. Mr Whisker: Which is the most heavily rated riding under the unimproved rating? Mr Harris: Turua. RELIEF FROM RAILWAY. Mil J. Carter asked if it would not be more democratic for the council to put the matter before the ratepayers. It would be a fair thing th.at the people .who have to pay for the things should have a say ip it. Mr Miller :The Council does not propose to go on with the bridge straight away. It may be several years. The Kirikiri bridge would not put a burden on anyone, that is, a burden they cannot bear. 1 Mr Carter said the bridge was coming at a very unappropriate time. The Paeroa-Pokeno railway would relieve the necessity for bridges. Mr Chester: Will the Kopu ferry rate be spread over the wjiole county? Mr Miller: No. Speaking about roads, I don’t think the roads are worse anywhere than round my place. Mr Chester: Since the Kopu ferry is work'ng does the Council consider that the Kirikiri bridge is essential ? Mr Miller said that where you go to do your business is where communication is needed. He- would like to see the railway, as i.t would help in bringing metal for roads. “I assure you we are pushing the railway for all we’re worth." The Kopu ferry, he thought, was too expensive.

Mr Gwilliam said the settlers at Netherton went to Paeroa to do tiheir business, and not. to Thames. When they were with the Ohinemuri County they had better roads than with the present county.

. Mr Miller said. it was a matter of development. Where one ton went over the roads a few years ago a hundred tons went now.

Mr Gwilliam admitted the development, but said it was only electric light poles and suchlike which had cut up the roads. . / Mr Miller contended that t,here was greatly increased milk traffic. Mr Heappy said the Council itself was responsible for the damage to the Netherton roads by carting metal bn the wet roads. Mr Taylor said it would cost about £2OOO to fix that road up. . Mr Potter said that by the time the Kirikiri bridge was opened for traffic the railway would be through. The Kirikii;! bridge would be useless' to Netherton. “SHOULD NOT SIDE-STEP.” Mr T. Vowles: Are you going to give us a vote when these loans are going to be taken ? Mr Miller : Does he expect the Hauraki Plains to pay the whole of the cost ? Mr Vowles : HI use the bridge once in ten years, and why the devil should I have to pay for it. Take a poll on it and see whether they want it. % Mr Taylor: If you are not going lo take a poll Mr Mass s ey can appoint his Ministers .apd we can go nap. Mr Heappy said the councillors should not side-step. “Are you going to give us a poll,” he asked. Mr Miller: We can’t. A Voice: You don’t want to. Mr Taylor thought it would create a precedent. Mr Vowles: Why did the council buy machinery and leave it on the roads ? Mr Carter asked if it was definite that a poll would not be <.aken. Mr Heappy : We’re not going to take it sitting down : you can take that for granted. Mr Laughlin thought the Council •should give them a decided answer i.t the next council meeting. Mr Miller said it had already been decided that all bridges should oe county matters. One area alone would save £40,000. STAGGERING UNDER RATES. Mr Laughlin: Would it not be better tp give the ratepayers their wish and give them roads ? He would like to see a concrete road at Netherton, but they had not got the money to pay for it. We have enough rates to stagger under. The cry is roads. Mr Heappy did not altogether agree with Mr Miller’s statement that it was cheaper for them to join with the rest of the county. Their towp was Paeroa, and they had a bridge tp gee there. It .would be preferable to have their present outlet to Paerpa and get better roads. When they were in a better financial position they might consider the other proposal. There should be a poll for the bridge. Mr Gwilliam : Have you rot already pledged yourselves to build that bridge (the Kirikiri) ? Mr Miller: We have under certain conditions pf getting money from the Government. Mr Munro: If you don’t get that money you won’t build it ? Mr Miller: No. Mr Vowles: What subsidy do ybu expect ? Mr Miller; pound for pound. Mr Chester: The Government has just subsidised the Kopu ferry. Mr Miller: I haven’t heard anything about it. MOTION OF DISAPPROVAL. Mr Munro moved : “That this meeting strongly disapproves of the Council’s action of going in for a heavy

bridge building programme without taking a poll of the ratepayers.” Mr Heappy seconded. Mr Harris explained .that the Council was pledged to two other local bodies for the Kirikiri bridge. “Your council,” he said, “has made a splendid bargain.” (Derisive laughter.) Mr Harris: You may laugh, but I’ll explain where the good bargain is. Out of a total cost oS £60,000 we are only pledged for £12,000 tor the biggest concern that will every go across the Waihpu. If it were put to the ratepayers for a poll and the Thames Borough and County carried it and the Hauraki Plains County turned it down, it would still have to be done. Many voices: No, Mr Carter maintained that it was pot a square deal. He would support the motion. Mr. Miller said the rate would not be 25s on 100 acres. He stressed many points of the unfairnesis of polls in re c pect to bridges. He gave one instance of one area, paying £lB to £1 which another had to pay. If the county sees that anything would be a m-rden on any ratepayers it shpul-i step in. Mr Carter said it was not the rates ne was speaking of, bu,t the principle of the th’iu, “If the Council is allowed to do such a thing without a poll we don; know what they wi'l do next.” Mr Parfitt said the Council was not departing fiom any custom of local b.dies. He knew of no other bridge where two local bodies Were concern* ed and where a poll was taken. Mr Chester: The Te Aroha bridge. Iwo polls have been taken and both turned down. 1 Mr Parfitt said that most of tha bridges under thsoe circumstances were taken under section 119 of th* Act. Mr Heappy: Are you afraid to take a poll ? Mr Parfitt.’ No, Several Voices: Yes. Mr Carter: Do you think 25 per cent, of the ratepayers on the Plains would agree with you that it is a good bargain " Mr Parfitt: I think 50 per cent would. Mr Carter: If we carry a no-confi-dence motion and circulate it throughout the county, don’t you think 50 per cent, would sign it ? Mr Parfitt: Nd. Mr Miller: There is a bridge at this end of the county and the-e should be another at the other end. Mr Carter: The bridge at this end was paid for by the ratepayers at this end. Mr Chester asked why was not the rating area defined when the decision was made to take the bridge under section 119. Mr Miller : I think you- agree in your own minds .that all bridges should be county matters. (Laughter of disapproval.) Mr Sarjant said the cars to Paeroa had been blocked on account of the bad roads. Why not put a gate up and block the. road altogether. Mr Vowles asked why the Thames County was paying only £6OOO while the Plains paid £12,000 towards the bridge. Mr Miller said the Thames County was a much smaller county than the Plains. Mr Potter thought it better to put a bridge at Puriri. Mr Munro’s motion was then pat to the meeting and carried unanimously. (Loud applause.) TO- PETITION GOVERNMENT. Mr Carter moved that the ratepayers petition the Minister that the Kirikiri bridge proposal be not gon-3 on with until a poll of ratepayers has been taken. Mr Gwilliam seconded. Mr Vowles said they were not getting a fair run, and they should send a deputation to the Minister, Mr Heappy suggested sending someone to Wellington. Mr Carter’s motion was carried unanimously.