The Ohinemuri Gazette. WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1911. THE BRIDGE LOAN.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXII, Issue 2794, 24 May 1911, Page 2

The Ohinemuri Gazette. WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1911. THE BRIDGE LOAN.

Once more we desire co have a few words regarding the poll that is to be taken to-morrow on the question ofi raising a loan for the construction of a bridge across the Waihou River at the Puke. The total cost of the bridge and approaches will be more than but the additional cost is being met by a substantial vote from Government. This is an additional reason why the

ratepayers should support the loan proposal, for if the assistance offered by Government is not taken advantage oft now, it would probably be many years; before a similar opportunity offered. The contribution from Government

towards the cost of the bridge would be ,£ISOO, and there is also a further grant ot .£3OO towards the cost of the road connecting with this bridge. The ratepayers would therefore get a bridge costing approximately ,£4OOO erected at a cost to themselves of not more than ,£2500. Arrangements have been made for the borrowing of this amount from Government at the lowest possible rate, so that it only requires the ratepayers to sanction the raising of the loan for the work to be gone on with almost immediately. Just last week the engineer to the Ohinemuri County Council (Mr C. Bray) was over on the Ohinemuri County portion of the Hauraki Plains laying out road works to the extent of about .£2OOO that are to be carried out with money derived from Government grants. A good deal oi the traffic that will pass over these roads will find its way to Paeroa —if there is proper means of crossing the Waihou River. There are other roads that will shortly be taken in hand, and although in some cases the Hauraki Plains settlers will have the choice ol two or three market towns it follows naturally that they will make for the centre towards which there is the

best and easiest means of communication. It should be our business to make that centre Paeroa, and if we proceed along proper lines no doubt we will succeed m doing so. Other people are alive to the importance of securing the trade from the Hauraki 'Plairi^ let the Paeroa people also show that they recognise the great benefits that will accrue from the settling of what was a

short time ago mere worthless swamp land. We do not doubt for a moment the great majority of the residents of this district are in favour of the bridge loan proposal, but to enable that proposal to be carried into effect it will be necessary for the ratepayers to attend the polling booth to-morrow and record their votes. It will not do for people to abstain from voting merely because they think there is no chance of the loan being defeated ; they should assist in making the proposal sure by voting in favour of it, and thus show that they have confidence in the place and recognise that the policy of progress is the correct policy tor the district of which

Paeroa is the centre,