SHANNON—FOXTON BRIDGE.

Shannon News, 22 May 1925, Page 2

SHANNON—FOXTON BRIDGE.

REU U EST FOR INDEPENDENT ADVICE. At Tuesday’s meeting of the 'Shannon boiough Council, a letter was received from the chairman No. 9 Lusuici council re a foot suspension midge across the present gap in the Foxtou-shannon bridge, V stating ne had been requested by the Main Highway Board to ascertain whether the Council will contribute towards the cost of such a suspension bridge and io.what extent. Dealing with this letter Cr. Downes stated that he understood the Whitanui and Poplar Flaxmill Cos. were prepared to provide the wire cables tree, also that about twenty men would give their labour free at the week end towards, erecting a suspension foot bridge. He pointed out that men whe had to go to and fro across tiie liver tQ their work are. subject to a, lot of delay under the present arrangement. On the motion of the Mayor it was decided to write to the above companies asking if they were prepared to supply the wire cahles and with a favourable reply tlhat the Highway Board be written to to that effect, also pointing out the free labour offered. A reply was received from the Minis ier of Public Works on the same matter, stating that he was having enquiries made and would, advise at a later date as to what will be done. Following the above letter a deputation from the Shannon Co.-op Dairy Co., consisting of Messrs R. W. Taylor (chairman), R. L. Tippler and JMurray (secretary) waited on the Council with a view, to getting that body to commit themselves to half the estimated cost up to £IQ 10s to secure the report of an outside firm of engineers in respect to the erection of a new bridge over the Manawatu. Mr Taylor said the matter was of vital importance to the Dairy Co. and equally as important to the Council as representatives of the Borough. He said it had already cost his company hundreds of pounds. He stressed the urgency of something being done. There did not appear to be any move being made, the only thing that seemed to be troubling those responsible was what charges are to be made , for the punt. Possibly the delay was one of cost. He understood Mr Monk had said lie was quite ready to have the matter re-opened. The Mayor said that as the Borough Council did not have charge of tiie bridge and were, not a contributing body, all they could do was to endeavour to move others. Mr Taylor said the directors of liis company had discussed the matter and had decided to try and get the advice of outside engineers re the erection of a new bridge. A repre--1 sentative from Wellington had been communicated with and interviewed. ,i e had been informed that they wanted an opinion which they could back up. Tiie Mayor; The Council have no standing in this matter. Here is a bridge in the Horowihenua County which we strove to bring the responsibilities of before tiie Horowfienua County Council and were ignored, and now they are in trouble they want us to be compelled to contribute towards the cost as a result of

their negligence. This is nothing more than blackmail and I say publicly that it is me of the most dishonest and outrageous matters in public affairs I have ever heard of or read ol.” Mr Murray:. The main issue at the present time is to voice the Opinion of the people and get a contra against the Engineer’s opinion. Cr. Spencer; Do you think an opinion of outside engineers would override that of the engineers who have already reported on the bridge? Mr Taylor: A firm of outside engineers would go into the question with quite a different view, and I think it would be the means of re-opening the matter. .

Cr. Spencer was of opinion that in the interests of the people of Shannon, if it was only a matter of a few pounds, and would help those who were affected the Council should assist. The deputation were then informed that the Council would give an answer in waiting. After the deputation had withdrawn Cr. Roberts moved, and Cr. Spencer seconded: “That tile' Council assist with half cost up to £lO 10s with a view’ to getting expert {advice and getting the Horowhenua County Council tq move in the matter of the reconstruction of the bridge.”—Carried.