THE KARAKA BRIDGES.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 2, Issue 134, 7 October 1913, Page 3

THE KARAKA BRIDGES.

Rcaci Boards Cited to Contribute. County Council Discussion The proposal of the Karaka Road Board to srctire part payment for the projected bridges from Papakura, Waiuku and Mauku was again discussed at Thursday's mooting of the Franklin County Council. ABOUT THE CITATION.

Mr J. Batty, chairman of the Karaka Road Board, wrote advising that the plans, etc., for the bridges over tho tidal creeks from Papakura and Karaka and Lower Waikato were now completed. A copy oi the citation to the Papakura Town Board, tho Waiuku Road Board and the Franklin County Council (in which is merged the Mauku road district) was received. This set foith : "The Karaka Road Board desires to construct bridges across the Hingaia creek aud tho Whangamairo creek, otherwise known as Glasson's creek, to connect the Karaka district with Papakura, and is of opinion that tho erection of such budges will be of advantage and benefit to tho whole of a considerable portion of the inhabitants of the above-mentioned adjacent districts, and that in the opinion of the Karaka Road Board it is reasonable that tho local authorities of the adjacent districts should contribute to the cost of constructing such bridges. Therefore the Board asked (1) That the cost of the erection of such bridges be borne by all the said local authorities named iu tho following proporlions : "Karaka Road Board, 50 per cent.

" Papakura Town Board, -iO per cent. "Waiuku Road Board, 7.1 por cent. "Franklin County Council, in which is merged the Mauku Eoad Board, 12A per cent. "Objection?, if any, were to lie lodged within two months of the 2otk of September. DEPUTATION FROM WAIUKU

Cr Iligginson introduced a deputation from the Waiuku Eoad Board —Messrs Hodgkinson and Hull. Mj Hull explained that in the proposed payment for the Waiuku bridges Waiuku was included but Wnipipi was not included. Waiuku had intended to appeal, but to save the cost of that they now thought that if Waipipi would pay a share it would bo Letter to pay the amount than to oppose it. Out there they we e small dairymen who would not get any benefit; it was the fat cattle travelling through that would benefit.

A Councillor : Bat you sell a proportion of your cattle to someone; doesn't that indirectly benefit you ? Mr Hodgkinson said ho did not think "Waiuku should pay at all. The chairman (Mr Motion): As far as Waipipi is concerned we shall oppose it. Speaking generally, we liavo enough to do to raise money for our own district.

Mr Hodgkinson said the amount to bo paid was £l2 por year; if that were divided up between Waiuku, Waipipi and Awhitu it would only be £i a year.

The chairman asked where they got their figures from ?

Mr Hull said it was estimated at 7.1 per cent of the interest on £4200.

Cr Lyons : It will be double that amount by the time it is finished. Cr Henry said yes and he related what had happened about the Waiau wharf.

Cr Remill said that bridges were a benefit to the whole of the district.

Cr Wilcox : Hear, hear

The chairman asked if it was worth while contributing when the saving in the distance would be only three miles.

As Mr Batty, chairman of the Karaka Eoad Board, was visiting the Council on other business, he was called iu. He explained that £o2oo was the estimated cost of the two bridges. The Karaka Land Company were giving £IOOO which would reduce tlio sum to £4200, and if thoy got a Government subsidy £ for £ which they should do, it would only leave for the districts to pay. If the Government did not give a subsidy the Karaka Land Company might withdraw its offer and then, of course, the project would fall through. Tho loan would run over 36i years. Cr Renall said he liked people to take a generous view of these proposals : ho rocognised that the bridges were for the benefit of the districts nil through and he would personally give £•'>. Mr Batty said that was very geuoious indeed and was more than they would ask a private individual for.

Mr Hull said Waiuku wanted everybody affected to share iu the expense. Tho chairman said Karuka was asking- 20 per cont from Mauku and Waiuku. Ho asked Mr Batty if lie would agree to accept 15 per cent, the County Council to divide the cost as follows :—Mauku 10, Waiuku 2i, Awhitu and Waipipi li per cent each, Mr Batty said he would have to get his solicitor's opinion as to whether that could he done. Mr Hull said if Waipipi did not contribute Waiuku would have to cite that district to help pay. Mr Renall : Have a go ; wo will meet you reasonably enough.