BRIDGE AT HYDE.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 273, 29 May 1874, Page 2

BRIDGE AT HYDE.

Last week a deputation, consisting of Mesers. Oliver and de Lautour, M.P.C'.s'for : Mount Ida, and Mr. Duffy, Hyde, accompanied by the' following Duiiedin merchants— 1 Messrs. liobcrt Wilson, Mackerras, Glendinniug, Eva, Matheson, Hayman, Tewsley, and Low—waited upon the Provincial Secretary to urge the adoption of steps for bridging the; •Upper Taieri between Naseby-and-Hyde. Mr. Oliver explaiued that the deputation -were interested in increasing .the facilities for traffic between Hyde and Naseby, and that, to do so successfully, the erection of a bridge over the river was most essential. He reminded the Secretary that he had already urged his views upon him as to the great itn./garbanoe of-this work to the district. ' ""Mr. de Lautour argued that it was a matter ei great importance to the residents of Hyde that a bridge should be erected. There was a tine tract of agricultural land on the other side of the river, but without a bridge it would remain, practically speaking, locked ivp, as it was quite impossible to get it set : ded other wise. Another reason urged wasj that children resident on one side of the river were prevented from attending the. school. Carting and other traffic was also subjected to: serious difficulties, and loss of life had occurred 11 parties attempting the ford. Mr. Reid replied that this was a matter - which had been before the Government on

several occasions. During the recess memorials had been received on the subject. Indeed, he thought that they had as much information on the point as could possibly be gained, and he was quite prepared to ■admit that a bridge was very necessary. Unfortunately, however, they were placed in that position that they had not money sufficient to undertake all the urgent work required at once.

Mr. Wilson said be could testify from actual experience as i o the dangerous state of the river at this ford. It was an awful crossing. Several travellers had, to his knowledge, been compelled to turn back and take the road by Waihemo, which entailed a journey of not less than twenty-live miles extra. What added greatly, to the dangerous state of the crossing was, that the bed of the river was covered with large boulders. Other members of the deputation having spoken to the dangerous nature of the crossing, Mr. Reid said that he was aware from previous experience that it was far from, being safe. The desire of the Government was to have the whole of these rivers bridged as soon as they could get funds for the purpose. He colild make no very definite promise to them at present. At the same time the Estimates had not been gone finally through, and the matter might be recommended by the Executive. Tt was proposed to go to the Assembly and ask for a loan this year. If that were granted, it would relieve the revenues of the Province very considerably. At present they were constructing their railways out of revenue, and that was rather too much for them to be expected to continue doing. If the loan be granted, he had no doubt that they would seej'tieir way to get a sum granted for this bridge* The deputation thanked the Secretary, and retired.—' Guardian.'