THE OVERHEAD BRIDGE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 2, 20 March 1912, Page 1

THE OVERHEAD BRIDGE.

Hon. J. A. Millar visits Pukekohe. Something more was heard about the projected overhead bridge on Thursday, last week, when the Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister for Railways, visited Pukekohe. He came to see for himself (he disputed sites. All the members of the Pukekohe TownBoard were in attendance and the Pukekohe West Road Board was represented by Messrs J. W. Johns (Chairman), W. Dunn and H. G. R. Mason (clerk). Both these bodies favor the bridge being placed at the end of King street. Those who object to King street and favor the present East street crossing were represented by Mr W. Roulston, the Chairman (Mr E. Allen,) and Messrs Morgan and F. Lauer, members of the Pukekohe East Road Board; Mr J. G. Rutherford (chairman), G. T. Proude, W. F. P. Evans and W. K Cornthwaite, members of the Maungatawhiri Road Board. Mr J. Burnett (chief engineer) and Mr A. C. Koch (Auckland district enginer) were with Mr Millar. Mr W. F. Massey, Leader of the Opposition, also kept a keen eye on the proceedings. The Minister upon arrival was entertained by the Town Board at dinner, and immediately afterwards a party of some sixty or seventy interested people accompanied the Minister on his tour of inspection. Both sides of the case were fully put before Mr Millar. Mr Rutherford declared that the Maungatawhiri Road Board members were unanimously in favor of East street, while Mr Evans explained his reasons for objecting to tbe proposed deviation to King street. Mr Allen spoke against the King street crossing on behalf of Pukeknhe East Mr Dunn, Mr Johns and Mr Webster advocated King street. The Minister said he wanted the local people to come to an agreement amongst themselves if they could, and if they could not do that it would be a matter for tbe engineers to decide. Reading from " The Pukekohe and Waiuku Times," Mr Roulston drew Mr Millar's attention to a statement made by a Town Board deputation to the effect that Mr Millar had promised to contribute £2 for every £1 raised by the Board to cover tbe extra cost of tbe bridge if put at tbe end of King street. The Minister said there was some misunderstanding. The Department never subsidised any local bodies. Mr Mason, explaining in detail what the Minister had said, claimed that the members ot the deputation understood Mr Millar to promise £2 for every £1 raised by the Board. The Minister said be had never definitely promised. What he said was that if the suggestions were put in the form of a written application be would favorably consider it. Mr Massey asked if the Minister had the shorthand notes of what was said. Mr Millar: My secretary has them. In answer to a statement by Mr Roulston that a majority favored the East street crossing, Mr Dunn said be would agree to a poll of ratepayers in the Pukekohe Town District and Pukekohe West Road district being taken. If three-fifths of the voters did not vote for King street he (Mr Dunn) would pay tbe cost of the poll and withdraw his opposition to East street; provided the East street people would pay the costs and withdraw their opposition to King street if three-fifths of the voters favored the Iatter site. The upshot of the visit was a statement by the Minister to the engineers would again report forthwith, and that he would give his decision within a week.