PIPIROA BRIDGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5479, 25 September 1929, Page 3

PIPIROA BRIDGE.

CONSTRUCTION ADVOCATED. CONFERENCE AT PIPIROA. In response to the representations of the Waitakaruru-Pipiroa Ratepayers’ Association to the Main Highways Board advocating the early construction of the Piako River bridge at Pipiroa, Mr A. P. Grant, assistant engineer, Public Works Department, met representatives of the association and the Hauraki Plains County Council yesterday morning. The council was represented by Crs. C. W. Harris (chairman), C. W. Parfitt, W. E. Hale, W. Madgwick (representative on the Highways District Council), and F. Basham (engineer), and officers and members of the Ratepayers’ Association present were Messrs. C. Adams, S. H. Kendall, D. McAulay, H. Torr, T. Evans and J. C. Miller.

Mr C. W. Harris said that the settlers of the district felt that the ferry had outlived its usefulness and that a bridge was now urgently required. It had proved very useful in the past, but the time had arrived for something better. It was hoped that the Main Highways Board would approve of the proposal, for if it would do its share the County Council would undertake its part. A bridge was essential, not only for the Pipiroa-Wai-takaruru district, but also for the through traffic from the East Coast, Auckland, and the Coromandel Peninsula. At the request of the president of the Ratepayers’ Association the secretary, Mr S. Kendall, read correspondence to the Main Highways Board showing that the present volume Of traffic carried by the ferry was riot an indication of that which would use a bridge. Ferry fees were high, and delays were inevitable, so a great proportion of the traffic went by the alternative route via Ngatea bridge. Cr. Parfitt said that the volume of traffic certainly warranted a bridge, and it seemed to be only a question of getting the Highways Board to favour the proposal. It would mean a rate on settlers, but the Ratepayers’ Association fully represented the settlers of the Waitakaruru-Pipiroa district, and it was advocating the bridge. Mr A. P. Grant said that it was recognised some years ago that a bridge would eventually be required, and the departmerit had had plans prepared for many years. The structure would resemble the Hauraki bridge, and would have a similar opening span, and the estimated cost was in the vicinity of £16,000. The Main Highways Board was empowered to subsidise bridges at £2 for £1 up to £lO,000, and over that was the subject of arrangement. The proposed Pipiroa bridge was entirely in the Hauraki Plains County, and the Plains Council alone would have to deal with the matter. As regards the necessity of the bridge the Main Highways Board fully recognised that it would have to come some day, and the only question was whether that time had now arrived. The Kopu bridge had imposed a big burden on the ratepayers, and the question of adding to that burden at the present time would have to be considered.

In reply to the assistant engineer the county chairman, Cr. C. W. Harris, said that if the Main Highways Board agreed to find its share of the cost the County. Council would do its part. This statement was sharply challenged by Cr. W. Madgwick, who also expressed the opinion that a majority of the council was not in favour of the bridge. Cr. Harris said that the matter would be discussed at the next meeting and a way would be found. Cr. W. E. Hale pointed out that the present ferry would be worn out in a few years, and that unless the bridge was commenced right away the council would be faced with a big expenditure for its replacement. Mi’ A. P. Grant said that the Government could not find its share of the money this year as it had not been voted. The bridge would take about two years to build.

Cr. Madgwick observed that if the Pipiroa settlers added the sum they paid in rates the total would not equal the county rates paid by settlers in other parts of the county. Cr. C. W. Parfitt drew attention to the fact that the Thames Borough Council was committed to find £750 towards the cost.

Cr. Cj W. Harris said that the rat'ing should be over the whole of the county, as the bridge was an essential part of the main highway. Mr R. Cooke, of Thames, apologised for the absence of Dr. Liggins, president of the Thames Chamber of Commerce, and pointed out that the chamber had been adyocatang the bridge for the past five or six years. Its need was now urgent, as there was frequent congestion at the ferry. Cr. C. W. Harris asked whether, if the County Council could arrange its finance, the Main Highways Board could arrange for its contribution next year. Mr A. P. Grant thought it very likely. The plans had been prepared, as the importance of the work had been fully recognised. On receipt of fihe council’s considered decision he would represent the matter to his superiors.