THE OTAKI BRIDGE.

Otaki Mail, 12 March 1923, Page 2

THE OTAKI BRIDGE.

NOT TO BE CLOSED TILL THOSE INTERESTED ARE CONSULTED. The proposed closing of the Otaki bridge for repairs was mentioned at the meeting of the Horowhenua County Council on Saturday. The Chairman, Cr. Monk, repeated the undertaking previously given that the bridge would not be closed until a meeting of those interested was held to discuss the matter. If any person could offer any suggestion how it was to be repaired without closing it to traffic, he. should, come along and put it down. There had been a lot of criticism, but, as he said before, the County Council was not closing the bridge ! just for the fun of it and putting peo- , pie lo inconvenience. I Or. McLeavey said he understood the Engineer was going to bring the Government Engineer down to see what eould be done. It would be a great i pity if nothing was done while the river ' was low.

The Chairman said that though it would take very much longer to complete, possibly they could open the bridge at night. If that Mould suit the people better, the Engineer was prepared to do that.

; Cr. Ryder said Mr Mnedonald hail 'suggested at Te Horo that some tern- | porary platform be constructed that could be tinned up on its edge and let j down to allow the traffic to pass over. I The Chairman said that, Owing to the [ manner in which tlic bridge was constructed they had to strip CO feet be- ' fore they could take out one lot of the i supporting timber so the cost of the platform suggested would be considerI able.

j The Clerk said the Engineer had consalted the District Engineer and as the Government was finding two-thirds of the money, they were going to have a. ' big say in the method of doing (lie I work.

The Chairman said lour gangs would be at work at one time, opening the bridge in four places and working J(i hours n day. He pointed out that wery time the bi-fdcre was closed and opened meant added cost. The platform idea was quite possible Tun tin- cost would be prohibitive. An endeavour would be made to have the Public Works Engineer, nt the meeting of settlers. The Chairman also referred to tiie danger of opening the. bridtre with loose planks for decking as they eould not control the -peed of cars nnd there was rLk of tin' planks beincr dislodged. Anvono with constructive idea* *uch a* Mr Macdonald's suggestion would be welcomed.

r r. McLeavey said one practical man had suggested that the men work four hours and then open the hridge for two hours. The Chairman said they wanted n solution of the eonstructural problem, not in regard to hours of opening. They were dealing with a 00ft. span. It was satisfactory to see, however, that people were trying to help.

There was no further discussion on the subject.