HELENSVILLE SWING BRIDGE.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 6 March 1912, Page 3

HELENSVILLE SWING BRIDGE.

TO THE EDITOR,

Sir,—l wish to correct a wrong impression contained in your article of Wednesday last, 28th inst. in which you say il Seeing that he (Mr Stewart) was for a new bridge on a new site."

To put the matter clearly before the ratepayers, I am personally against spending any money on repairing the old bridge —it has passed its day of usefulness. Other bridges erected in the District at about the same time have since been replaced with new structures —for instance the long bridge at Kaukapakapa, also the small bridge over the Awaroa Creek. There is no question but that a new bridge is wanted. Personally, as a ratepayer and in common with a number of other ratepayers, I consider, taking into account the future of Helensville and the Hot Springs, the new bridge should be erected on the most suitably site in the Township. It is only right that the question of the site should be decided Dy the ratepayers by ballot, and the Town Board should be instructed by the result of this ballot, that is, whether they should contribute to the erection of the new bridge on the old site or the new.

The wish of the people can easily be obtained and the Board should give effect to same. As Chairman of the Board I am prepared to do my utmost -towards the erection of a new bridge on the site decided by the people by ballot.

Coming to the matter of finance, money required for a work of this description should be obtained by loan, it would never do to take large sums out of rates and by so doing starve our expenditure on the upkeep of roads, footpaths, etc. The work being of National importance a pound for pound subsidy should be obtained from the Government. The Board's portion of what is required should be arranged for without any increase of Rates.

Taking from last night's " Star," telegraph news from Blenheim a. new bridge has just been opened over the Wairau River. The length of the bridge is 742 yards, the total cost being £10,934, half of which is paid by the Government and half by local bodies. An arrangement of this description is what is wanted in this instance.

Yours faithfully, James Stewart. [Acknowledging Mr Stewart's correction of the wrong impression cited from our article on this matter in last issue, we are of the opinion that the, matter should be degide.d by a pql] gf the jate s payers being' taken on issues of the greatest advantage to the town and district, -~-Ed.J