LONDON’S FORD BRIDGE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9145, 14 May 1908, Page 4

LONDON’S FORD BRIDGE.

At Feilding this morning Messrs R. W. Brown, Chairman Pohangina County Council, Mr S. J. Carman, Chairman Kiwitea County Council, and Mr G. T. Smith, a member of Pohangina County Council, waited on the Hon. Mr McGowan requesting a subsidy of £ for £ on coat of proposed bridge at London’s Ford. The deputation was introduced by Mr Lethbridge, M.P., who pointed out that the Government Commissioner, Mr Short, after bolding an enquiry in the matter, had decided that a bridge was necessary at -London's Ford, and that the two local bodies had come to an arrangement to erect it provided the Government would give the necessary assistance. Owing to the heavy cost of interest on loans and maintenance of roads and bridges the local bodies could not carry out the work unaided. Mr Brown explained the position relative to the bridge and stated that some years ago the Government put £2OO on tho estimates for a low level bridge at the site, but since that time it had been shown that low level bridges were hot a success. The estimated cost of the bridge was £2500, and providing Government would give £ for £, the Pohangina County Council was willing to pay three-fourths of the balance of cost and Kiwitea County Council onefourth.

Mr Carman pointed out that the site was|a very dangerous crossing. His County spent about £4OOO a year on maintenance of roads and bridges, and paid £3700 a year in interest on loans, £SOO of tiiat being on bridges alone. Some ratepayers paid as high as 8d in the £ on the capital value. He added that the application was one in which they could justly ask Government to assist and that they should help those who help themselves.

Mr Smith said he had been in the habit of using the crossing for the past seventeen years. Many accidents had taken place there. On one occasion 1 his horse was drowned and his trap broken up while he was attempting to cross. On several occa- ; sions he had found it necessary to X ride twenty miles round to get medical assistance. The river rises very ri suddenly. Mr McGowan expressed the opinion that the deputation had made out a good case. He stated in reference to Mr Carman’s remark that if the principle of helping those who helped themselves was adopted the rich counties would get all the money. The Minister went to view the site to-day, and will then proceed to Apiti.