THE OTAKI BRIDGE.

Otaki Mail, 2 May 1923, Page 3

THE OTAKI BRIDGE.

TO BE CLOSED TOR KSPAIES

A meeting of ratepayers and others interested in the Otaki bridge was held

at noon to-day. There was a fair attendance, and Mr Evelyn Macdonald was appointed chairman. In opening he said the main difficulty in the proposed closing of the bridge for repairs was to meet the dairymen. He invited suggestions, and said what was wanted was a scheme that would not interfere with the work which was to cost

J £I3OO. The work was urgent, the j bridge which was too low and not wide enough, also had bad approaches, was j considered inefficient, and Later he hopjd to see it replaced by a ferro-concrete bridge. J Mr Monk,. Chairman of the Ilorowhenua County Council, said it would bi possible to keep the bridge open, but to do so v.ouhi cost three or four times the estimated amount. The through traffic had had a good run for some 20 years and it should be no hardship to close the bridge for four or five weeks. The Council, however, had to think oi' its own ratepayers, especially as several sent milk to Wellington and had to cross the bridge. The Council was prepared to help with the milk traffic, but if it had to be taken across in drays it would need to be ready at an early hour. Mr Hannah, the Government en-

I gineer, had suggested a spare set of stringers which might be a good thing. He thought, however, the milk which went to Wellington could be sent from Te Horo. The river could be crossed when low. Mr Ryder said if a ford was mad.' it might be demolished in a few hours. but if fine weather there would .10 hardship in fording the river, In answer to Mr Heahl the Engineer (Mr Anderson) said he could not say what a temporary ford would cost, but that it might pay the Council to keep one open.

Mr A. A. Brown asked if bridge repairs could be done at night and the bridge left open in the day time. Mr Anderson considered it would be too cold for the men to work at night time, but his idea was 10 have work gone on with from daylight till dark.

Mr Monk .-aid if there was a flood in the river the bridge would be kept open, while Mr Anderson said the bridge would be opened at night and every assistance given Lo carls to ford the river in the day-time. Mr Monk also suggested that the City Council be approached and asked to take milk from Te Horo.

la answer to Mr Ryder the Engineer said the preliminary work could be done at any time, but he proposed to start the repairs on Monday -week.

Mr Monk promised that attention would be given school children. On Mr Beauehamp's motion it was decided to approach the City Council to take milk from Te Horo and lo fall back on the Council's offer of a fold. If was poii'led out that in any case there would lie a ford, -while the bridge would be kept open when the ford was unavailable.

Arrangements have been made by the Otaki Maori Racing Club to have the bridge open for traffic on race-days.