Longburn-Oroua Bridge Enquiry.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, 9 January 1892, Page 2

Longburn-Oroua Bridge Enquiry.

The enquiry was resumed on Tuesday morning before the Commissioner, Mr H. "W. Brabant. Messrs Ransom and McKenzie represented the Manawatu County Council, and Messrs Rush and Keeling the Palmerston Borough Council.

Mr J. H. Hankins appeared on behalf of the County Council, and Mr E. G. Jellicoe for the Manawatu Road Board.

The following further evidence was called by the County Council in support of the contention that the bridge was necessary; —

R. S. Abraham, auctioneer, was in favour of the construction of the bridge, as a •ratepayer, Was a director of the Longburn Freezing Company. The construction of the bridge would be of great benefit to the freezing works, and would bring increased trade to Longburn generallyi Frequently used the Longburn road in the course of his business. The valuation of the freezing works was £7400 for property-tax purposes. By Mr Keeling : The bridge would not be an advantage to the Borough of Palmerston, but would be rather a disadvantage to the tradespeople of Palmer st on. The cross-examination of Mr R. B. McKenzie was then continued by Mr Jellicoe. Nothing important was elicited except that a special district had been constituted in the Manawatu County, to be rated for construction of the bridge.

This closed the case for the Mana watu County Council.

Mr Jellicoe then addressed the Comniission at length on the evidence brought forward by the Council, and called the following evidence : —

Donald Grant, Chairman of the Manawatu Boad Board, became a member of the Board about two years ago. When he took office the Board was in a state of bankruptcy, and the Receiver was in possession, and now its position financially was better than any local body in New Zealand. That portion of the Longburn road between the Taonui stream and the Oroua river was only formed, and would require to be reformed before being metalled. The coustruction of the bridge would be of no advantage to the whole or any considerable portion of the settlers of the Manawatu Boad District. The work might be an advantage to one or two settlers living on the river's banks. During the time he had been a member of the Board, no settler in the road district had intimated any request to have the bridge constructed. The Manawatu Boad District strongly objected to contribute towards the cost of construction of the bridge. Had even 80 or 40 ratepayers petitioned the Board on the matter, the members would have been prepared to consider it, The Awahuri bridge was sufficient to meet all the requirements of the Manawatu district. The Boad Board paid half of the cost of maintenance of this bridge, though the valuation of the district has been smaller than thatof the Manawatu County, and the benefits it derived were not nearly so great. The construction of the new bridge would necessitate considerable expenditure upon the Longburn road in putting it in a- proper sta"te, and the cost of maintenance would be much larger on account of the in creased traffic. The bridge would be of no advantage to Longburn, except to the hotels and freezing works there. In the event of the Board being calkd upon to pay half the cost of the work, they had decided to place a toll on the bridge. The Boad Board was at present put to considerable expense ji repairing the roads which had been damaged through stock being driven over them to the freezing works. Excepting the freezing works, he was not aware of any settlers on this side of the river dealing to any large extent with Campbelltown people. Store stock could be driven from Campbelltown to Longburn by way of Awahuri in a day. liy Mr McKenzie : The opening of the bridge would be likely to divert a certain amount of traffic from Paimerston. He could not see that Longburn generally would be in any way benefi tted by the work. Mr Grant, in answer to the Commissioner, said the Longburn Freezing Works were established within the past two years. He considered the bridge would for the most part benefit the Longburn Freezing Company. He was unable to explain why the Manawatu Board in 1884 were anxious to have the work carried out and now were averse to the work. He did not think there were more than five ratepayers in the Manawatn Road District who wished to be rated for the work. If the Board's ratepayers were in favour of the work, the bridge would be constructed.

Mr Keeling intimated that the Palmerston Borough • ouncii did not propose to call any evidence. This closed the enquiry.

As to the question of costs, it was agreed that they should be paid by the party whom the Commissioner considered had lost the enquiry.

The Commissioner remarked he

thought he would be quite sEftfffl^ sayi g the Palmerston BorougL Cor icil would not be called upon t j pay any of the costs.— M, Times.