MAIN COUNTY BRIDGES.

Otaki Mail, 17 November 1922, Page 3

MAIN COUNTY BRIDGES.

J HEP AIRS TO GO ON AT ONCE. Tlie District Engineer, Public Works Department, informed the llorowlienua County Council on Saturday that the Council may now order the necessary timber to repair the Ohau, Otaki and Kara Creek bridges. The communication was in rdply to a letter from the County Engineer (Mr W. N. Anderson) pointing out the necessity of proceeding with the work, and inquiring when the Government grants would be available. The chairman (Cr. .Monk) stated lie had gone into the question of the | bridges. The Government wu.s giving a subsidy of £2 to £.l from the county for repairs to tlie main road bridges' and after going into I lie matter thought it possible that the county would be a tele to raise its share dur- ’ ing the present Jiiiancial year, but the To Horo, Otaki and Wirokino ridings, where the work would be carried out, would have to sail close to the wind, and very little over expenditure could be ..expected. He made (hat statement so that the public would know it. The offer of Ihe Department had been to bear a portion of the cost, but he thought the Department should have borne the whole of the cost. However, they had to accept what they j could get. The County Engineer had .

got out. the prices and they were prepared to go on. The question now was: Would the Ohau bridge last out the year? This showed the necessity of getting on with the work. it. would lake time to procure the timber, but the Council may he able to get sufficient timber at once at an extra cost of £27 to go on with Ohau at once. The Council's finances were not, too good. Very' little of the current year’s rates had come iri yet, and a considerable amount was still outstanding from. last. year. It was for fhe Council to say if tf would spend a little extra, money and go on with the Ohau bridge n.s soon as possible. Cr. Darkness agreed with the idea of going on with the work at once. It was problematical if the Ohau bridge would last till Christmas, and they should go ahead and get the timber so that the work could he started at once. Cr. ltyder mentioned Hie Otaki bridge, and asked; if it. would be necessary to close the bridges. 'Hie Chairman: Both Ohau and Otaki bridges will be closed during repairs, the Otaki bridge for about three weeks. Cr. Darkness: What about the ford at the Ohau?

/he Chairman stated fhe Engineer thought the Ohau bridge could be opened every evening or morning, but Otaki would be closed absolutely. Cr. Ryder suggested double staffs cn the work, so that as little inconvenience as possible would be caused, and the work pushed through. The chairman said double gangs would he used on the Otaki bridge, working 16 hours a day, and when started the work would he pushed on with all speed. The Engineer said he would like to see the Ohau bridge held over till January, lint it would be advisable to go on with the work as soon as possible. He thought arrangements could be made to open the Ohau bridge in the mornings, so that the dairymen may not he inconvenienced. Councillors thought that the bridges should not be delayed any longer

than necessary, even if it cost a little extra, the Ohau bridge should be gone on with at once.

The chairman, Engineer and County Clerk 'were authorised to make the best arrangements for going on with the work.