PIPIROA BRIDGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4599, 17 August 1923, Page 1

PIPIROA BRIDGE.

GOVERNMENTS CONDITIONS. THAMES TO BE ASKED TO SHARE. The Minister of Public Works wrote to the Hauraki Plains County Council on Tuesday notifying that the estimated cost of the Pipiroa bridge was £12,000, and for the approaches, which included drainage diversion and floodgate alteration, £7OO. A copy of the plans and specifications would be forwarded in a few days. It was., proposed to call tenders for the erection of the bridge at an early date, but before doing so the Council was required to forward its written consent to the work being undertaken by the Public Works Department and pass a resolution agreeing to pay half the cost of the present estimate of and also the total amount by which the cost of the work might exceed the estimate. The Council was asked what arrangement had been made in the matter of providing the money to cover its share of the cost. If the council contemplated raising its quota by loan the Department should be notified when the poll was carried and when the loan was actually raised,, as no work could be commenced until financial arrangements had been completed. Cr. Harris said that > the Plains county should not be the only one to meet the cost of the bridge. The Thames Borough should be asked to contribute just as to the Kirikiri bridge. Cr. Harris moved that a committee comprising the chairman, Crs. Parfitt, Harris, and the clerk wait upon the Thames Borough with a view to making arrangements as to its share of financing the proposal for Pipiroa bridge. Cr. Madgwick said that Cr. Harris had previously said that his riding, was too poor to purchase punts, yet he was now advocating the spending of a huge sum on a bridge that would be a luxury. Roads were more important. Cr. Hare said that he would oppose the bridge unless a poll of the ratepayers was taken. Cr. Parfitt said that the ratepayers knew the attitude of the old council and had re-elected it. Cr. Mayn said that the council had already undertaken to complete a bridge at Maukoro. The whole bridge policy was wound up in that undertaking. No new departure should be undertaken until the Maukoro bridge was settled. He agreed that the Pipiroa bridge was required. Cr. Harris said that the old councillors would undoubtedly honour their pledge. Cr. Mayn moved that the committee appointed, to deal with the Maukoro bridge meet a deputation from the Piako Council for the purpose of proceeding with such wor;k. Cr. Madgwick moved that the question of building the Pipirpa bridge be deferred until such .time as the roading problem was more advanced. Or. Hare seconded. Cr Harris said he failed to see the force of Cr. Madgwick’s amendment, and'"asked if he were adverse to receiving £6350 from a Government department, He thought that the council would be negligent if if turned down this offer for a job of such magnitude. Cr. Madgwick said that the Pipiroa bridge was an unnecessary expenditure at present, it was a luxury, and roads were much more important, He was not against bridges, but the time was inopportune. Cr. Mayn raised a point- of order, in that the amendment did not refer to the motion. This was upheld by the chairman. Cr. Hare said that he had to vote against the building of the bridge, but was in favour of the motion to meet the Thames Borough. Cr. Madgwick contended that the Pipiroa bridge was a few years ahead of its time. By agreeing t,o the Pipiroa bridge rates would be increased by l-7d. Kirikiri and Maukoro bridges would raise the rates another 3-7 d. He objected to the council asking the Thames people to contribute towards something the council was not prepared to contribute towards itself. On being put, to the meeting the motion was carried by 7 to 2, Crs. Hare and Madgwick voting against t. On the resolution regarding the Maukoro bridge being put to the meeting it was carried without dissent.