THE FEILDING CHRONICLE AND ADVERTISER. SATURDAY, JULY 5, 1879.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 54, 5 July 1879, Page 3

THE FEILDING CHRONICLE AND ADVERTISER. SATURDAY, JULY 5, 1879. BRIDGING THE MANAWATU.

We recently drew attention to the necessity of bridging the Manawatu River at the Lower Ferry. The river had then been in a state of high flood for several days, during which time road traffic between the Provincial District of Wellington and Hawkes Bay, and as well as between Manawatu and Wellington had been completely suspended. Another high flood accompanied by another suspension of traffic has since taken place, and there is every probability that during the winter months such a state of things will be a constant occurrence, the only remedy for the evil being the erection of a bridge at the spot indicated. This frequent stoppage of traffic inflicts a serious injury on the Manawatu generally, and more particulary on Foxton, Palmerston, and Feilding, by diveting the legitimate trade into another channel. But there are other reasons why the erection of a bridge should be no longer delayed. The charges made for crossing and recrossing the ferry operate very injuriously to tradesmen in the townships mentioned, who find themselves too heavil. handicapped to compete successfully with those on the other side of the river ; which would not be the case if the river was bridged. In this case, too, a considerable amount of Manawatu timber would, doubtless, find its way into Hawke's Bay; As we pointed out at the time, the work would prove too expensive for the County Council to undertake, but as there is every probability of our soon having a Government in power that would not waste the resources of the Colony in stumping journeys, or pleasure trips in Government steamers, it might not be amiss for the County Council to bring a little gentle pressure to bear upon it when such a Ministry shall have been duly installed, as we feel confident that the bridge would greatly benefit the Manawatu district. The settlers will assuredly not acquit their representalives is the Council of supineness if they neglect to move in the matter.