Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1884. THE MANAWATU BRIDGE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 248, 16 September 1884, Page 2

Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1884. THE MANAWATU BRIDGE.

More* than ever, after such a flood as that we have just experienced, does the necessity for the bridge being built over the Manawatu River at the Lower Ferry become apparent. At any time the bridge .would be the saving of an immense deal of time to those who j travel much on the road between Woodville and this town, and, whether m. 6ne weather or wet, the expanse of traffic, would be materially reduced by its erection, but m times of flood, when all traffic and communication are absolutely susE ended through the river being too igh for the ferry to be used, the construction of a bridge is not only a matter of advantage and saving to the public, but a work that it becomes imperative should be undertaken m order, even to ensure public safety. The bridge has been a matter of comment m our columns before to-day, and will perhaps be so again, if the work is not sooner or later taken m hand. Mr Macarthue is, as is well known, a strong advocate m its favor, and flier§ nee 4be no fear that ije ' will leave a stone unturned that would assist him m gaining his point. But with the Government m. such an unsettled state as it is at present there has been no opportunity of bringing any business before the notice of the House. Nor can we see a much brighter look out ahead. It is very generally supposed that the present Ministry have only been permitted to retain their seats no sufferance, and is impossible to say when their reign may be summarily terminated, and then be forced to share the same fate that two others have already suffered this session. If they survive the session, there is a prospect that the business of the country may be at-, tended to, and that such measures of local importance as the one we refer to may be taken m hand by the Government. If the Ministry is turned out of office, the dealing with these matters will be again postponed. Meanwhile of course the travelling, public and those who make a regular use of that road will have to put up with the inconvenience and expense -of the ferry arid run * the risks and dangers that are attendant upon* "flooded rivers.- ' We have little doubt that Mr Macarthdr will endeavour to induce the Government, wlicn one is formed, to vote a 'sufircr£ht' sum to cover the whole cost of tKe bridge, but failing that, he should surely not meet with a refusal when he. produced the very liberal offer made by the Ashurst ratepayers to pay nearly the whole cost of it, by means of a special rate under . the Roads and Bridges Construction Act. Our represent^ tive has thus two strings to his bow, and, if anything, the one m reserve must be admitted to be the strongest. of the two. The -request for a direct graut of" may be refused, but surety the offer to refund the bulk of the money if the Government advances it cannot be so created. And it is m this point of generalship that. Mr Macarthur certainly excel J. < It is not every member that isy capable of exercising so much diplomacy m public matters as he has done. . True, the idiea is a simple one, but so was that which Columbus suggested for the balancing 6T an egg. , If the Hon. members could only come to 9, settlement as to who is to hold the reins of Government for the session, we shall no doubt have the pleasure of seeing the member for Manawatu bring forward his measure and do his utmost to gain for his constituents a thing that should have been given them years ago, and one that until it is granted, will be a perpetual source of trouble ajuLdanger.