SHANNON-FOXTON BRIDGE.

Shannon News, 27 October 1925, Page 2

SHANNON-FOXTON BRIDGE.

CONTRIBUTION OF COST DISCUSiSED. THE BOROUGHS AGREE. On Friday morning tile Mayor of Shannon (Mr \V. Murdoch), Crs. Butt and, Thwuites, and the Town Clerk (Mr J. 1. Bovis) met Mr Monk, chairman of the Horowlienua County Council, Mr F. 11. Hudson, County Clerk, and Mr Anderson, County Engineer, to- discuss the matter ot contributions in connection with the tonumon-Foxton bridge. Mr Monk said it bad been definitely decided to build a new bridge and tne Council’ liad been trying to arrive at a basis on which-the various local bodies should contribute towards the cost nun die question had been raised who was to be the contributingbodies. The counties, were willing to come in, but they did not know the attitude of the boroughs. Recently Sir James Wilson and himself had waited on the Main Highway Board and if a' satisfactory decision could not he arrived at between the two counties and the Shannon and Foxton boroughs as to each body’s contribution, it would be necessary-for the Horowlienua County Council to ask for a commission. The Main Highway Board would carry out the work and local bodies would not have to find any money until the work is completed. Mr Monk said as far as the boroughs are concerned the counties were prepared to fix a maximum of Hie contributions payable by each borough at £BSO. The following apportionment of cost was suggested for building a bridge on the new site oil the basis of the estimated cost being £24,000: The Main Highway Board will pay one-half of the cost up io £IO,OOO, viz., £5000; three-fifths of so v much -of the cost a.s exceeds £IO,OOO, but does not exceed £20,000, £6000; two-thirds of so much of the cost as exceeds £20,000. £2666; total amount to ,be found by ..Main Highways Board £13,666; to be found by local bodies £10,334. (

The apportionment on the basis of the old warrant was as follows: Horowlienua County 5-12ih , £4,306; Manawatu County, 5-12ths, £4,306: Foxton Borough, 2-12-ths, £1,722; total £10,334.' The suggested new basis is:—Horowhenua County, 5-12tlis, £4306; Manawatu County, 5-12ths, £4,306; Shannon Borough, L-i2th, £861; Foxton Borough 1-12-tli, £B6l. Mr Murdoch said lie personally, would accept that offer without any demur whatever and the councillors present also acquiesced. It was decided that a special meeting of the Borough Council would bd called immediately 'to discuss the matter, and pass a resolution accordingly. Mr Monk said that as soon as satisfactory replies were - received from Shannon and. Foxton, the work will be pushed oh with immediately. FOXTON AGREEABLE. A special meeting of the Foxton Borough Council, called for the purpose of conferring with the Horowiienut and Manawatu County Councils in regard to- the Shannon bridge was held yesterday. Present were—'Messrs M. E. PerreoU (Mayor), Crs. Woods, Walker, Thompson, Winstanley and W. Trueman (Town Clerk). The Horowliemia County was represented by Messrs G. A. Monk (chairman), Anderson (County engineer), and F. IT. Hudson (County Clerk), and Manawatu, by Cr. W. E, Barber. After the matter had been fully discussed, the Foxton Borough Council decided to contribute the proposed £BSO. Mr Monk was thanked lor his attendance. The capital and. unimproved values (in brackets) ofl the bodies concerned are Tokomaru riding (Horowheiiua), £1,355,657 .(£990,022), valuation, 1921; Awahou Riding (Manawatu), £633,429 (£437,755), valuation, 1918; Shannon Borough, £190,829 (£BO,945), valuation, 1921; Foxton Borough, £265,490 (£99,461), valuation 1916.