KIRIKIRI BRIDGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4636, 10 December 1923, Page 3

KIRIKIRI BRIDGE.

deputation to minister. a deputation representing the Ha:lraki Plains County Council and Thame's County Council waited upon the Minister of Public Works, Hon. J. G. Coates, at Thames on Thursday evening and discussed matters in connection with the proposed bridge at ■Kirikiri.' Mr J. C. Miller, chairman of the Hanraki Plains County Council,- said that the position had arisen that a bridge had become an absolute necessity,The ferry could not cope with the traffic, and the existing plant was now not safe in rough weather. Three years ago the three local bod-, tec" had met and allocated the cost (£30,000) and expected a £ for £ subsidy. The estimates; however, had not met with the approval of the Department. Mr Furkert said that the data given- had not been sufficient. ■ ' Mr Miller said that the three local bodies had agreed to offer the Public Works Department £30,000 to do the work. • Mi* Coates said that the cost to the local bodies was £58,000. Why did they not offer £36,0001 Mr Miller said that the councils ■ had many other commitments. They did not want to raise the rates too ' much. The bridge was now very neccessary as the punts could not ; cope, with the traffic. A new punt would be necessary before very long. The local bodies would like to know the position in regard to the bridge, so that they would know what to do in regard to the ferry. They thought thot if the Public Works Department , would build the bridge the local bodies would contribute £30,000. The design of the bridge would be left to the Department. ' Mr H. Lowe, chairman of the Thames County Council, concurred with the remarks of Mr Miller, and said that the local bodies would like to know when the bridge would be erected. The Thames County Council, as the controlling authority, was verv concerned with the state of the ferry. Practically every trip had to z be duplicated to cope with the traffic, despite Jhe fact that launches were running as well. The county was faced with the possibility of installing another ferry—perhaps a fixed one, as that would be quicker and more economical to run. In. regard ito.the cost of the bridge the local bodies were of the opinion that the Public Works Department could put up a bridge cheaper than a contractor. In the interests of the whole district from Auckland to Thames the bridge should be erected. Mr Coates said that it was de- ’ lightful to hear that it was thought that the Government could do . a job cheaper than a contractor. On behalf of the soldier se.ttlei'jS of Mr Smith said that the lack of the bridge was a great handicap to F a >i the Plains. The ferry was inadequate, unsafe, and costly. The farmers of the. district would have saved hundreds of pounds had they been able to send their stock over the river ,to the high land during the past winter. • Mr Lowry, another soldier settler, said that it had cost him £5 a week for ferry fees all the time he had been carting material for his house and sheds. The amount would have more than paid his share of the rates on the bridge. Mr Coates said that these were reasons why the local bodies should ray for the bridge. The Government recognised the necessity of the bridge but he wanted to know if there was any reason why the local bodies should not pay. Mr T..W. Rhodes said that he could call on speakers from Thames Borough, Thames ' County, and Hauraki Plains County who were present: to rpeak on the necessity of the bridge. In reply to Mr Coates, Mr E. F. Adams said that he had taken the soundings of the river at the point. His estimates of the cost did not provide for the piles to be driven to the solid, but to be cradled. His estimate for a 18ft. hardwood bridge was about £50,000. Mr Rhodes said that the bridge would be very much used by people out of the rating area. It would link tip the railways at Pokeno and 'Thames; and would be a great convenience to the travelling public. He had, been assured, that men from Maramarua would come to Thames to do their business. What was wanted was a suitable bridge. In regard to ; the contribution Thames County had agreed to contribute £6,000, Hauraki P’alns £12,000, and Thames Borough £12.000; Many of the Hauraki - Plains were rated as heavily as they . could be. In Thames Borough works costing £200,000! were in hand. Other loins would have to be raised, and those would mean further rates. The Harbour Board was going to do extensive works and the, cost Would fall on the borough. The Thames County Council had a big reading programme. It would be seen, therefore, that the district was prepared to shoulder its burden, but could not . pay any more than th,at offered. Tn reply to Mr Coates Mr Rhodes said that the bridge would be a great feeder to the- railway. He therefore - asked that the department accept the offer of £30,000 and put' up the bridge. Any sort of a structure would be better th a" none. A conCrete bridge would be preferable, but if the cost was too much, then let the bridge be a hardwood one. Mr Furkert said he noticed that -Mr Powell had provided for a 12ft. br’dge, and he asked if the district would be satisfied with this. Mr Rhodes said that he knew nothing of Mr Powell’s scheme. He thought a 12ft. bridge would not be advisable but if the department would erect a 12ft. one the people would be satisfied. ' Mr Miller wanted to know the difference in the cost of concrete and hardwood piles. Mr Furkert said that as far as he could tell off-hand the concrete piles would cost 50 per cent more than \ hardwood,

Mr Coates said that concrete piles should be used. In reply to Mr Coates Mr Furkeit said 'that the estimates could be got out a week after the party returned to Wellington.' Mr Coates said that the bridge had been a great source of worry to him. He recognised its inportance, but it appeared that the job was too big for the district. The department had increased its contribution from time to time. There were many big works hung up for lack of money, and the Government had to meet much expenditure in the district in the near future. The Paeroa-Pokeno railway alone would cost up tp £500,000. He could not increase the Government contribution without consulting the Cabinet. All he could promise was to get the estimates and lay the matter before Parliament with his recommendations. If the local bodies could only contribute £30,000 it was a question of the Government contributing more or cutting* down the cost of the bridge. In regard to the Public Works Department doing the wo’-k he favoured letting contracts, but if this was not possible, then the department would have to do itHe wanted to see the job done, and Wmild do his very best to see what could be done. ■ Mr Rhodes thanked the Minister for listening to the views of' the deputation, and urged that the minister consider the matter thor oughly.