Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, FEB. 17, 1903. The Shannon Bridge.
Our Levin con temporary is under a mistake when it, understands the deputation from the Borough Council journeyed to Levin to interview the Premier concerning the Shannon bridge. The invitation sent to the Council was to support a deputation, to be formed at Levin, concerning a railway to Foxton, and this the deputation did as far as was practical. We should like however to have the question as to the Shannon bridge put straight, and the blame, if any, for the delay in building it should be laid upon the right shoulders. It is a big mistake to suppose that Foxton people object, or objected, to the erection of the bridge at Shannon, and for ourselves we have been among the first to support the proposal to build one. What was objected to by the Foxton residents, has been clearly shown at the bridge Commission, and that was the proposal that this borough should pay an equal proportion of the cost of the erection of the bridge as the larger counties of Manawatu and Horowhenua. It was remembered also that the two Ridings in the Horowhenua County, which wanted the Shannon bridge, had never contributed a penny towards the Wirokino bridge, whilst Foxton had paid one-third of the whole amount, equal to that found by each of the two Counties. Again, it seemed unfair that the Manawatu County, as a whole, refused to bear a portion of the coat of the Shannon bridge, but had made it a condition that only the Awahou Riding should pay, yet that Riding and Foxton have paid their share to the Wirokino bridge, The people who most wanted the bridge where the Shannon residents who had not heretofore experienced the delight of paying special rates for these conveniences, but the ratepayers hare, knowing what special rates are like, hardly saw the justice of the proposal, especially, when urged by the chairman of the County Councils the majority of whose Ridings would not contribute a farthing.
What was thought a fair share of the cost was offered by the Mayor, and rejected by the Horowhenua Chairman, but the conslusion arrived at by an unbiassed Commissioner proved that the Mayor was right, as the sum directed to be paid by Foxton is a little less to that offered. But why is the bridge not built ? In reply to Mr Commissioner Shortt, Mr Davies, the chairman of the Horowhenua County, said he had the much needed subsidy ! It seems apparent now that no such promise ever was made, as Mr Shortt reported he could find no trace of it! At any rate we know we have not got the subsidy and the sooner we do the better it will be for us all. The bridge should be built, but it looks as though those who were fo imperious in their demand for a Commission are not desirous of carrying out the work since the award is not to their liking. The bridge requires the Shannon people to keep on stirring up the chairman of their County.
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MH19030217.2.7
Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka
Manawatu Herald, 17 February 1903, Page 2
Word count
Tapeke kupu
518Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, FEB. 17, 1903. The Shannon Bridge. Manawatu Herald, 17 February 1903, Page 2
Using this item
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
No known copyright (New Zealand)
To the best of the National Library of New Zealand’s knowledge, under New Zealand law, there is no copyright in this item in New Zealand.
You can copy this item, share it, and post it on a blog or website. It can be modified, remixed and built upon. It can be used commercially. If reproducing this item, it is helpful to include the source.
For further information please refer to the Copyright guide.