Manamatu Herald SATURDAY, OCT. 30, 1897.

Manawatu Herald, 30 October 1897, Page 2

Manamatu Herald SATURDAY, OCT. 30, 1897.

The Wirokino Bridge. The Wirokino Badge bids fair to become an accomplished fact beforp long, but to geeure its being so there must be no faltering on tlia way. In our report of the proceedings of the Manawatu County Council there appeared a resolution which, as worded, seemed td imply that the Council wag opposed to the erection of this bridge. We ace glad to learn from the chairman that nothing so positive was intended, but the resolu tion was desired to be a notice that the County simply objected to the suggestion as to the ainrjunfe that their share towards its erection should be. This, of course, makes a great difference, and it goes without saying that any local body would like to secure the maximum of advantage with the minimum of expenditure. The value of this bridge to the settlers in the Manawatu County is indisputable, and we are pleased to say that during the last few days we have been assured that others who live northward of the county would also appreciate it. We -are glad to state that Mr Carr, the well-known auctioneer of Feilding, in asking what hope there was of the Wirokino Bridge being erected said that it would be of great use to the settlers around that town, and he could understand how valuable it would he to all living more to the southward. He expressed great surprise at hearing that the Manawatu County Council had been in any way opposed to ita erection, and advised if such a course wa* persisted in, the holding of public meetings to let the settlers understand the action their' representatives were taking, and be faid he would make it a point to attend them. He looked upon the bridge as a means of saving a large exppndi ture in railage to stock owners besides the facilities it would give for other means of transit. We also saw a well-known member of the Bantikei County Council who likewise expressed the hope that the bridge would be built. Fortunately the action ef the Manawatu County Council is not hostilp, as the resolution appeared to make it, and we therefore think that if the Mayor would approach that body again, simply asking whether they did not approve of- the building of such a bridge, leaving the question of pro portion of cost to be hereafter determined, we believe a favourable answer would be returned. We also can say authoritatively that the Government view the Mayor's request for a subsidy most favourably, and as a loan is inevitable, we shall, with the exercise of care, find suit able provision made for our wants. This is an opportunity which must not be missed and we earnestly recommend to our readers Abraham Lincoln's remark that "you shouldn't swap horses when crossing a stream," the application of which is not very hard to apply at this date in our Borough affairs.