THE BRIDGE MEETING.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 28 February 1912, Page 3

THE BRIDGE MEETING.

A LAHGE GATHERING,

CHAIRMAN EEFUSES TO PUT

RESOLUTION.

A LIVELY FINISH

■ The meeting of Ratepayers of the J Helensville Tosvn District (failed to consider proposals in connection with , the building and site of a new (Swing) ; Bridge, which, had been postponed rfrom time to time from the original date Dec. 21st, 1911, eventuated in Stewart's SampLe Rooms on. Thursday evening last, February 2Und. The building was packed by a number of ratepayers of the Town District, ratepayers of the Mairetahi Riding, of the Waitemata County Council, and a number of interested town's people, amongst whom were several ladies, making one of the largest local meeti ings over held in Helensville. j_ Shortly after 8 o'clock, Mr James Stewart (Chairman' of the Helensville Town Board), who had all the information received from the Engineer in readiness, called on the ratepayers present to appoint a Chairman to conduct the meeting, Messrs Cameron and Jas. McLeod •were proposed, the latter declining, as he Pjpferred to see the Chairman of thenuWn Board in the chair, and he moved accordingly. The motion being carried, Mr Stewart stated he had pleasure in accepting the position. After the Clerk reading the notice of the Board convening the meeting, the Chairman said there had been a deal of talk about those that would be injured if the bridge was shifted to the new site. Who had been injured by the Bridge being on the present site? Who was going to be injured by the removal to the new and more central site ? No one! He contended that his family would be hurt more than anybody by excess of rates, as they paid about of the whole. The majority of Board members had considered it necessary to call a meeting of the ratepayers to consider proposals of rebuilding or repairing the . ..old bridge, or the building of a bridge on a new sight in th.6 vicinity of the timber slips. He asked the Town Clerk to read the motions carried at a meeting of the Town Board on Dec. 11, 1911, which ■were as follows :— (^1). Proposed by the Chairman,! . seconded by, Mr Hammond : v That a i meeting cf ratepayers of the Helensville Town District be called on Thursday 21st inst,, at 8 p.m. to consider proposals of rebuilding or repairing the Helensville Swing Bridge." —Carried. (2). Proposed by Mr Becroft. seconded by Mr Hammond; " That on ■ the face of the Engineer's report itwould be better to build a new bridge ] instead of repairing the old one."— Carried. (3). Proposed by Mr Eam^ mond, seconded by Mr Becroft: "That the ratepayers be asked at the meeting to be held on Thursday, December 21st, as to whether the present site is • the best and most advantageous to the district, or whether the new bridge should be built on another site in the Vicinity of the timber slips ; that approximate cost of a new bridge in the vicinity of the timber slips. al3O road formation at boih ends of the bridge, be obtained from Mr Wilson, Engin- • eer, such information to be foithcom»> ing before the ratepayers at the meeting on December 21st."—Carried. ' The Chairman then read extracts , from the report on the Swing Bridge , of Messrs H. Munro Wilson, and Ger • ; aid A. Jackson, Engineers, read at a meeting of the Board on July 11, 1911, . and published fully in the Kaipaka Advertiser on July 12 ; pointing out that the report provided for an expenditure during the next 20 years of £950 in repairs, and £500 for maintenance, making a total expenditure in 20 years of £1450, and at the end of that time a new bridge would be required. If £2000 were borrowed for the erection of a new bridge under the present legislation (continued the report) which provides for a currency of 33A-years at 3£ per cent in half yearly, payments which extinguishes the loan in the time, the annual payments would be £70, this in 20 years would amount to LI4OO, leaving £945 to be paid in-the succeeding 13^-years when the permanent bridge would be paid for. The report estimates the urgent repairs at £840. The Chairman drew attention to plans of old and new bridge proposals which were on the wall, also to the costs of the different proposals, which it had been decided by resolution as already stated to have piepared bj' f~"r Wilson, for information at this e'eting, which were as follows: OLD SITE.- £ s d (Approaches . 650 0 0 pew Bridge 2000 0\ 0 "I Total 3650 0 0 Govt. subsidy (expected) 1000 0 0 f -f. Helensville Town District 825 0 0 / f Waitemata County Council 825 0 0 Total 2650 0 0 NEW SIT&5" Low level Bridge ... ... 2340 0 0 Metal 360 0 0 Total 2700 0 P Compensation 500 0 0 Govt. Subsidy (expected) ... 1000 0 0 f Helensville Town Board 850 0 0 t Waitemata County Council 850 0 0 Total 37Q0 0 0 NEW SITE. Overhead Bridge 5160 Metal 400 Total 5560 Compensation 300 Govt. subsidy (expected) ... 2000 t Helensville Town Board 1780 t Waitemata County Council 1780 '. , ...... Total 5560 j- Loan at 3^ per cent.

Immediate expenditure out

of rates

16210 0

The chairman continuing read a letter frona the Waitemata County Council, discussed at the Board meeting on Dec Hth, with previous Bridge report this meeting was the outcome. The letter asked the Board to pay their half of the subsidy for improvements to the old bridge, which was £ 162 10s. The position was that as regards bridge building the cost of a new bridge on the old site, and the cost of one on the new site would run within a few pounds of each other. Th 6 overhead Bridge would be very much more costly, but the advantage would be a safe-crossing. Only the other day ( said the speaker ) two men were killed in Christchurch. on a railway dossing, and two over in Melbourne, and it was only a case of time when-we should have, an accident on our present crossing. There already has been several narrow es-. ,capes. The number of Ratepayers in the district were 161 ; the total rateable property 79,385; and the rates collected amounted to £330 los 5d If the Board gave the Waitemata County Council L 162 out of rates as their share of repairing the old bridge they would only have Ll4o for repairing roads, tar and shelling footpaths, and other work in the Board district which could not be left undone. How was the Board going to carry on. The building of a bridge on either site would liave to be out of loan moneys. At any rate whatever was to be done the present arrangements with the Waitemata County Council were unsatisfactory. That was the information before them and he would ask for their feelings in the matter. Mr Stewart who had had a fair and patient hearing concluded by stating that it had been freely said that he had been endeavouring to close up the Helensvillo South Station, this be wished to absolutely deny.

Mr Bennett: If the new bridge were built would it not stop ships go-

ing up

The Chairman: No. Not airships! (laughter). There were no ships ever likely to want to go up. There were only two or three sailing ships coming to the colony and they wovdd soon have to be turned into hulks.

Mr S, Olive : If a bridge is built on the new site, would authority be given to close the olc1 bridge ?

Mr Stewart: That is a question for the ratepayers to decide.

Eatepnyer: It would never be done

Mr Bennett: Wil] it not stop the boat traffic if a bridge is built on the new site?

Mr Stewart: We would have a town wharf from which all the boats would leave. The wharf would have to be on the other side of the river on account of the Marine Department objecting to any more wharves being built on this side. Tho Board if they had a wharf of their own, would get all wharfage fees, and the wharf would earn money for them instead oi costing anything for upkeep.

Mr. W. L. Bradly:- -It would bring all the water traffic to the North end of the township. One big industry had resently started at the South end, and there was no reason why others should not start.

Mr Stewart: There is deeper water and better facilities supplied at the north, In Wanganui the bridge crossed the river rieht in the middle

of the township, It centralises things and would be of the greatest advantage to this town.

A number of dissentents spoke on comparing Wanganui Bridge with one across the Kaipara liivev, one stating that Wanganui was a bar harbour and this was not, and contended that there was deeper water ab ">ve the pro posed Bridge site, where the old wharf is.

Mr Olive: A wharf on the other side of the river would, be absolutely of no use to tho Eailway.

Mr Stewart: The present wharf we have is not a town wharf, Wn do not propose to divert the Eailway traffic at all. At the present time when vessels are discharging they have to pay wharfage. We would get that if we had a town wharf.

Mr Donovan : Do you not think it is rather premature to make such a big demand on the ratepayers as the erection of this bridge would bo. Mr Stewart: That is for tho ratepayers to decide. We want to build the bridge in the place where it will serve the greatest number. It is not only for to-day, but for 30 or 40 years ahead. The Town Districts are to be made into Boroughs and "nhen that comes the Helensville B.orougfr will take m the Hot Springs and all this •side of the Springs Eoads. Therefore the new site would te the best for the Borough, being in the centre.

Mr Eea : Ec the matter of expense. Has it been figured out what tho interest would amquu{; to on the, money which would be required to be borrowed to build this new bridge '/ Mr Donovan ■ If the new bridge only costs £2700, how is it the old bridge costs £2650 V Only £50 difference, and you have to buy the land.

Mr Stewart: If we build tho bridge we could borrow the money at 3.V per cent, that; it} wtyji tho sjftkjng'l'und added. The qpst oi bridge qn tho old site would be £2650, and the new bridge, including metal, would be £2700, Tbe Board's share on the old bridge would be £825, and on x\ie new bridge £930,

Mr Craven; Will |fjOD cfjmpgnsate Mr Jowitt fpr allqwing a rpad \o go through his rjroperty,

Mr Stewart; By the present road it was 82 chains from Mr Newman's to the Post Offipe, by \hp proppsed new road it wpuld be only 42 chains. This would bring Mr Jo mitt's property nearer the poet Office q.nd isp enhance its value, Someone had already stated that they would be prepared to buy Mr Jowitt out and give the road through free of compensation It

could readily be sold in building allotment at a good price. From the body of the Hall: Oh! Is that it! Who's the friend ?

Mr I. McLeod: What I wish to say is that we would have two bridges to maintain. One would "be the new one which would take up a portion of the harbour, and we do not want to part with' any more of our frontage. A Voice: Speak up. Mr 1.-McLeod-: If the gentleman will come up to the front where there are some vacant chairs, he will he able to hear. (Hear, hear.) Mr Rea : Come further back, then we can hear you. (Laughter). Mr I, McLeod : We want all the frontage we have got. There is- no doubt but that we would have to keep open the bridge which we use to-day. And are we. to derive any great benefit that would recommend the building of this new bridge ? I think not! I cannot see it! There are many other ways that we might spend the money that would he of more advantage to Helensville.' (Applause;. The Government would not allow the harbour to be blocked by a bridge on the site of the proposed new bridge. Mr Rea: There is no Government, (laughter). > Mr I. McLeod: There will be a Government alright. The bridge at Hamilton -was piactically built on the old site. '

This statement was questioned by the Chairman, but was upheld by a number present who said they knew all about it, having been there. Mr 1. McLeod, (continuing) : What we want is an electric tramway ser< vice- out to the Hot Springs. (Applause and laughter.) A Voice : Where are you goingl to run it if you have no bridge. Mr I. McLeod : We have abridge and we must look to the Hot Springs to^ push Helensville along. It rests with the ratepayers whether they are going to be taxed for two bridges. Mr Eea : Then you will want a wider road as there is not sufficient room for traps to pass at present. Mr Bennett started to tell the Chairman abuut the Hot Springs-when ho was reminded that he was on a ne^r bridge, and subsided. The meeting broke loose on the electric tramway service proposal, which took on. Several calls were made for Mr Jas. McLeod to give his view. Mr McLeod, after addressing the chair, stated that first of all he would like to put right a few remarks of the Chairman's, which were misleading. Mr Stewart's comparison of Wanganui to Helensville for instance. Wanganui is a bar harbour and practically silts up.—No vessel can approach the bridge ; it is impossible for any vessel to get up as far as the bridge. Mr Stewart: There ia 20ft of water on the bar at Wanganui

MrMcLeod: Excuse mo, Mr Chairman, lam on the floor now. You can say what you like when I have finished Continuing, Mr McLeod said : The boats running on the upper reaches of the Wangauui Eiver never require to go below the bridge. With Helensville it is quite different. If you erect a bridge on the proposed new site, you are going to break off the river communication with Helensville South. And is this fair to the Helensville South Station. Helensville South Station, according to records in Wellington, can never be closed. It must always be a station. (Applause). The Chairman tells you that 3ou can get money at 3£ per cent, and at the same time I think ho knows you cannot get money at '31 per cent. If you will remember, at tho meeting of ratepa3 rors to discuss the borrowing of £10,000 for water and drainage, there was a proposal to defer the meeting for three months for further consideration. At that meeting I told the people to seise the opportunity to borrow that sum as it would be a long time before they would have the chance again 5 1 also told tho people at the meeting at Parakai and they secured £7,000. My words have cometruo. The Waitemata Council haya received advice that, they can get no. more mon^' from the Government; at 3* p.c. The Board should also have received such notice. It is a very funny thing that the Board hnve not received a letter to this effeot.> The County Council has been notified that the}' wilj now have to pay ft-V pp, }f they want more loana. I would like to know if.Mr. Stewart, as Chairman 0! the Town Board has received that notice, and if so, why he has not acknowledged it ? Now, as to thp matter of river frontage — I contend that the whole o,f t}ie river frqntagp between, .p<ipjtiwa.i find the old mi}l is prapriehy held, and no one can get access; there is no place within the bight that you can get. As to the depth of water at the South end it is as deep as that at the Kailway wharf. Why one of the Steamship Coy's boats lies th^ere for safety'(hear, hear). The To\f.n Board is already committed for £102 lQa far repairing the present "bridge, there share of subsidy on £GSO granted. Re all these plans and specifications; I do object to all this expense that has been incurred. Do you know that it lias cost about £40 ; and %\] -for. absolutely no fc@p. bridge wjll never b,e shifted (hear, hear). The loan of £100,000 it was necessary to have ; both water and drainage for Hnlensvilie township wore urgently needed ; but, Mr Chairman, whf>n you w.Va for a further 4>(iß| nQ |o, ysveefan yvorhead brijrjge acr.pss. %\\e riy.er, you will have to, qojisidei way.s pd, WOAfls. The Government' are ' w-fu^ifl,?; <%\ p,,^. now, and in \\\e f«&e 0) it 1 do not think \]\& ratepayers would build a second bridge. Why the people on the other side would" rise in .rebellion. (Applause). , We have tt^ 'SJW Grround. up therp v{\^\\ yqjj all o.Q^glit -J- W\}s y°u to come ta'the Town Bpaxd meetings regularly and hear for yourselves what goes on. Ii the chaiinian can show me that anything ever cp,me forward from a ratepayer applying fpr

this new site, I will say no more,

Mr Eea : Can you give us any idea of what it would cost for the upkeep of the old bridge for the next 20 years.

Mr Jas. McLeod: I contend that the present structure will carry for the next 20 years. There is no worm in the Kaipara River.

Mr O. San din : No worm in the Kaipara river ?

Mr MsLeod: I have never heard of or seen rotten totara (other than with the worm) below low~water mark. About sis years ago a truss was put there with two flitches, that truss should carry the bridge for some 15 or 16 year?. The piles are as good as when put in. (Mr McLeod questioned the engineer's capabilities, the Chairman called him to order as' reflecting on a person who was not present.) Mr McLeod : It was true. The engineer said that if "Mr Ambury took his engine over the bridge, it would not stand. The engine went over and the bridge is still standing, (iaugnter). Mr McLeod, continuing: The only question is the width.- I am of the opinion that we do require a wider bridge, and in this case we would want to erect a new structure. The Mairatahi Eiding have &2000 earmarked for the purpose of rebuilding the bridge, which was secured at 3£ per cent, and the Board can have its naif by paying the interest. (Applause) At this stage an argument arose as to who the different wharves in the river belonged.

Mr ±iea: I reckon that a time will come very shortly when .tbe Helens-' ville Township will extend right to the Springs, and it is even more fair and equitable that'the Town Board should have the control of same, than the Waitemata County Council. Mr Masters : The matter seema to have been fairly well ventilated and I will now move that a resolution be put to the meeting. (Ho handed up written resolution.

. Mr Eea : I am of opinion that any project that shortens tne distance between Helensville and the Springs is well worthy of consideration, Tho Waitemata County Council is called the Cinderella of the North, They control the road to the Springs and you should just drive on it.

The Chairman started to explain re the Wanganui Bridge. Mr Bennett: We don't want Wanganui. Eead the motion, we want to know where we are.

The Chairman^ asked Mr White (clerk) to read the* propositions before the meeting, which were as follows:— (a). That the Helensville Town Board be given authority to arrange with the Council as regards finance, plans, and specifications for a new bridge, (b). The bridge to be erected on the present site, (c): The bridge to be erected on a new site more central to the township., (d). The proposals in (b) and (c) to be loan proposals and to be submitted to ?,he ratepayers for acceptance or rejection by vote.

After a short conversation between the Chairman and Mr Masters, and interjections from the body of the Hall, the lattor returned to his seat.

Mr Masters: Surely ratepayers have the right to propose fresh resoi lutious.

Tho Chairman: The meeting: was called for ratepayers to consider pros posals made by the Town Board, and not to vote away our control of the bridge to the Waitemata County Council.

Crio.s of " Eoad tho proposal,' " Does it not agroe with you " '• Come on, read it," " Don't be afraid."

Tho Chairman read tho motion commenting on it as he did so, which was as follows : —

Mr E. S. Masters proposed lt That this meeting instruct tho Helonsvillo Town Board to tako no further action in tho matter of shifting the site of the Swing bridge ; and that the oontrol of tho bridge remain with the Waitemata County Council ; and that the Town District contributes its half share of either renewing or repairing the present bridge, as tho Council may think fit. 5'

Continuing, tho Chairman said the motion was not in order, aud that the meeting was asked only to instruct tho Board to build the bridge either on the old or ne^r site. Ho amended tha£ it wqs on amendment and not a resolution, and if the part alluding to the Waitomata Council was omitted, it could bo put as an amendment.

Mr Masters : The ratepayers have a voice in the matter.

Mr Carnerp.n < 4 p'vM of tho ratepayer^ efocK\W b,e taken ©a tho matter.

4 nvtm.he-v oi Maraeialii ratepayers wanted to know if they had a voice in the matter. The Chairman explaining that tho meeting was for the ratepayers of tho Hcleasville Town. D^s-. trict. '

• J,as. McLecsd i The vesvilutioQ is satisfciptQvy, the Waitemata Council had -already control oi the work.

The Chairman : I cannot accept the motion, as the mooting could not voto away the Boards control of the bridge. Mr Cameron : I will propose ftsi« a ! vote of the ratepayer^ I^\ ta>;-e« m a fortnights |Mr Mjc.lJG.od: : The -'proposition f paas.ee} at the Town Board meeting ' were nothing to do with this mooting. The Chairman again read the Boards propositions which he cci^ea,ded the ratepayers t^\ \ V i, +h, Ml H*x\W*C Wfoft w -ft3 Va^ au AJJr ilc^jeftd : ; f J\o. Cia^it}* were |o h-ay-e c.o,n/i\o^ l^?,1. Cwubi'ou on being asko.d said it ; was correct, the Countjl was to do the work. I Mr Jas McLeocl: I \vi\\ ae^Aaci Mv \ Masters prppas^ip^. | Tl^ci p^r,iy"mg,n ■, V-Qit want the lot. !; CH?Vi?i«l wonk'i like the whole coni! fcera, A passage about the Mairatahi loan between the Chairman and Mr Mo,- 1 Leod then ensued. !J Mr Cameron again. \yr£x 3te- a vote of \ raterja.yei;^ " t X '

A number started discussing the resolution and a few boc-hoos were

heard.

The Chairman : I rule the motion is not m order. As long a3 I am Chairman the Waitema County Council are not going to have control of the bridge. Mr. Jas. McLeod : The bridge is controlled by the County now. The arrangement was made when Mr Cameron was chairman.

Mr I. McLeod : Mr Masters' has an amendment before the meeting and it should be put.

Mr. Jas McLeod : Put the resolution before the meeting the Council already have control.

The Chairman : The resolution is not in order. X Mr Cameron's proposal was put the ratepayers would settle it at the poll. lam not going to put Mr Masters' resolution as it stands.

The meeting seeing the resolution was not likely to be put showed their disapproval to the Chairman's ruling by boo-hooing and other noises, amongst which mingled cries of " elect another chairman."

The Chairman stated he would not carry on with the boo-hooing that was going on, and declared the meeting closed.

The audience broke into a chaotic state, and although a procosition byMr Jas McLeod " That as ~the Chairman would not put the resolution to the meeting, and they could not get on with the business, that they should ask him to resign the chair, and a new chairman be elected/ was received with mixed cheers, nothing further was done, the meeting dispersing with a good deal of humorous banter.

And so ended the oft postponed Helensville Swing Bridge meeting.