THE SHANNON BRIDGE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2811, 15 November 1924, Page 2

THE SHANNON BRIDGE.

The Shannon Borough Council at its last meeting, discussed the Shannon bridge. The Mayor in referring to the damage done to the Shannon-hloxton bridg-e, said the mishap was a painful thing to the people of Shannon and more so to the residents of Afoutoa who were beihg caused considerable inconvenience. As far as the Shannon borough council were concerned their conscience was clear. He went on to say that the Council’s engineer (Mr. Edwards) was to be given credit for the warning he had given when he showed by plans what would happen with the current. The Horowhenua Couny Council, when approached by this Council, had said (he matter was nothing to do with this Council. The Borough had offered to be a contributing body to the bridge and a similar offer was made to the Minister of Public. Works, but nothing was done. Now they were all irresponsible. The bridge was gone and much inconvenience was being caused. Cr. Gunning said the Council were impressed with the need. Unfortunately they had to deal with a local body which appeared to be opposed to them and practically snubbed hoi#. He said he had noticed a meeting of local bodies was to be held in Shannon. “If we are invited to attend, surely they won't ask us to become a contributing body after having turned us down when we offered to be.”

The Engineer said the bridge should be shifted up stream. His reason for recommending this was ou m-cium! of the piles not being in far enough —only nine feet —and a greater body of water was coming down with every Hood. By removing ii the piles could be put down 25 feet. Should he have anything to do with the construction he would have the luniks shifted back and a big trestle work on either side. He would have no more earthwork approaches. and lie would insist on a big* span. (V. 'Murray was of opinion that another span and an approach should be added, otherwise there would still be a scour. He asked the Engineer if be bad anything in his mind that would influence the work .being pushed on. The Engineer said a permanent job would ljever be made by repairing. The bridge must be shifted. If the Borough Council was to become a contributing body, he thought the Council should not agree to contribute unless a permanent job was made. It was then agreed on the motion of Cr. Hyde, that if a representative is invited to attend the meeting of local bodies to be held at Shannon, he must refer back to the Council before committing them iu any way. INSPECTION BY BOARD’S ENGINEERIn connection with the permanent repair or replacement of the Shannon bridge, the County Engineer (Mr \Y. N. Anderson) visited Wellington and interviewed the Public Works Department and Main Highways Board’s Engineer (Mr G. T. Murray) as to the intention of the Department regarding the bridge, which haying been taken over by the Highways Board before the date of damage is no longer under the control of the County Council. It was decided that Mr Murray should visit Shannon on Monday next, and with Mr Anderson, make an inspection of the bridge, with a view to arriving at a decision.