NEW TRAFFIC BRIDGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5253, 19 March 1928, Page 2

NEW TRAFFIC BRIDGE.

THE, QUESTION OF A NAME. BOROUGH COUNCIL DISCUSSION.

At the monthly meeting of the Pae.roa Borough Council held on Thursday night the question of affixing a name to the newly erected traffic bridge over the Ohinemuri River at Paeroa was introduced by Cr. J, W. Silcock.

In suggesting it should be named Marshall Bridge Cr Silcock said it would be a small tribute to the work and enthusiasm of the Mayor, who had been a. big factor in bringing about the erection of the bridge. Furthermore, the Paeroa borough had contributed a sum of £1650 towards its erection, and the Mayor had, been the prime mover in arranging for tbe necessary finance. When the bridge was (handed over by the Public Work’s Department it would be the responsibility of the council to care for and maintain it. In his opinion a committee should interview the Ohinemuri County Council with the idea of furthering his suggestion. He was. strongly of t'h.e opinion that it should be named Marshall Bridge aIS. a slight compliment to the Mayor, not qnly in recognition of the work he had. done in connection with its erection, but also for the very real work- and services he had given to tihe borough during his term as Mayor. At the present time there was nothing of consequence in the borough that could be suitably set aside as a memorial to his services, i.f the new bridge wae named after their present Mayor it would stand as a memorial for all time. However, he would., like to hear the other councillors’ views. MAYOR NOT FAVOURABLE. In reply the Mayor said he wished to tihan-k Cr. Silcock for the sentiments which had prompted his suggestion. If the speaker’s, efforts were appreciated he was more than satisfied, and his reward would be in the hope that his work would stand as an incentive to the younger generation and instil in them a degree of civic pride and . a keen desire to labour for the good of the common weal. While appreciating the sentiments expressed by Cr. Silcock he was riot enamoured with the suggestion. The old bridge had always been known as the Criterion bridge, and it was a. difficult matter to sever old associations. He was not desirous of (having the suggestion carried any further.

In the opinion of Cr. F. E. Flatt the new bridge was certain to be referred to as the Criterion, bridge, even, if it was named Marshall bridge, and for that reason the sentiment attached to renaming t'he structure would be largely defeated. If the name of Marshall bridge was overshadowed by the old name it would be a great pity. Cr. Silcock said that, if the structure was officially named MarsHiall bridge at the opening ceremony of wcitid be content to believe the old name of Criterion would soon die out. He would like to see the Mayor acto his suggestion. It was a small enough tribute for the services given.. Cr. E. Edwards said he fully endorsed the sentiments that prompted thq suggestion, but the council would really be imitating a .similar act carried out recently in, an adjacent borough. He thought an opportunity to commemorate the name of the Mayor would prepent itself in the near future. He had in mind that when the recently acquired Rawih'tiroa reserve was developed into a playing area it might fittingly be named Marshall Park.

Cr. J. Pinder referred at length to the services rendered to the community by the Mayor, and instanced' how, in, the past, streets in the borough had been named after local people who had done (little or nothing compared with the work of Mr Marshall, It was a duty to see that hi s name wag suitably commemorated before he wont out of office. '

In his final reply the Mayor again thanked his colleagues for the sentiments expressed. He pointed' out that so far. as the bridge was concerned he luul not been the means of creat.in.g it. and neither was he the dominating factor in its erection, as had been .suggested. Were he in a posi’t’on to present a park to the town, afi Sir Arthur Myers had done to Auckland, it would be different He thought the name ‘>of the Criterion bridge was much more suitable, and was content to let it go at that.