THE SHANNON BRIDGE.

Shannon News, 18 May 1923, Page 3

THE SHANNON BRIDGE.

MAY BE WASHED OUT TO SEA. FOXTON MAYOR CHARGES HOROWHENUA COUNTY WITH NEGLECT. At last. Monday’s Foxton Bo rough Council meeting, the Mayor .said that the Shannon bridge was in a critical condition. Thjg last, flood had scoured away the bank and endangered the structure. He said the Horowhenua County Council, who were the responsible body, were guilty of almost, criminal carelessness in the way they have left this structure in jeopardy. A few more floods and the bridge would be washed out to sea. Nothing wai; being done by the Horowhenua County Council to protect the structure. The Foxton Borough Council was concerned in the structure and contributed to the capital cost. It was criminal to allow 1 the bridge to be washed away for want of a little protection. Something should be done at once and strong action taken by the Boroiigh Council in the mat-tier. The structure had cost £SOOO and if it had to be re-erected it would cost from £IO,OOO to £15,000. It was appalling to see the way the bank on the north side, up stream from the bridge, is falling into thfe river. The Mayor detailed the erosion taking place. Cr Coley said; the erosion was taking place on the Manawatu County side of the river.

The Mayor said the safe-guarding of the bridge was the concern of the Horowhenua County Council, which was the controlling body. The ITorough Council would be failing in its duty if it allowed the present state of things to contnue. Cr. McMurray suggested that the matter be referred to the Public Works Committee.

Cr. Ross -said when the matter had Veen referred to; the Borough Council previously by the Manawatu County Council, the Borough Council turned the matter down. The Mayor said the Manawatu County Council had dealt with a diffen nt matter, the construction of a bank.

Cr. Coley said'the matter should be referred to the Manawatu county Council before any further action v as taken.

After furthc discussion, the Mayor moved and Ca Bryant seconded ’he following motion, which was carried unanimously •

“That, a, letter he written to the Minister of Public Works forthwith pointing out the exceedingly dangerous position of the Shannon river bridge and U possible making it mandatory on the controlling authority. viz., the Horowhenua County Council, to carry out protective works and thus prevent the said bridge being washed oui to sea.”

Enquiry from the TTorowhenun Conntv offices reveals that there has-bee" no neglect of the matter so far as the Council is concerned. The matter has been discussed with the Public Works Department and the County Engineer and the P.W. District Engineer vi ited file; site together. As a result ’he Department asked that the river be olotted. showing the set of the mrrenf, where the erosion was taking place and other particulars. This ha? been forwarded. Tn the meantime ’he Countv Engineer has been closely watching the position. The problem presented is a very difficult one and not so simple a proposition a= some Foxton people seem to think.