WHIROKINO BRIDGE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 371, 11 April 1908, Page 3

WHIROKINO BRIDGE.

At Wednesday’s meeting of the Mauawatu County Council the engineer reported that members of the local bodies interested held a conference at the Whirokino Bridge, and discussed the position, and the best course to take in regard to strengthening the bridge. Soundings which had been made last year showed that the piers had been scoured out at from 17ft to 27ft. Subsequent silting had reduced the scour to an average of 13ft., as indicated by soundings taken on 27th March last. It was decided to drive four piles at each pier 55ft. to 60ft. down. Chairman Wilson detailed the result of his visit to Wellington to get the warrant issued vesting, the Whirokino bridge under the Council and explained that the difficulties in the way of that course had been overcome. He also gave members an account of the visit made to the bridge by members of the local bodies interested and the conclusion arrived at. He said that the depth of silt was almost incalculable and it was intended to drive the new piles 60 feet, so as to have a permanent foundation. It was agreed to repaint and resheet the bridge the work probably costing When the contracts are out and the tenders are in they could speak with greater certainty. He thought that it was very desirable that they should have consulted the contributing bodies in a matter of the kind, although the controlling authority' was not bound to do so by the law. The difficulty of raising the amount by loan had not been overcome, and they would have to pay their share out of revenue.