HOKIO BEACH.

Shannon News, 15 October 1926, Page 2

HOKIO BEACH.

MOVEMENT TO BRIDGE STREAM.. A PRACTICAL SCHEME. \ For years the most urgent need at Hokio lias been a satisfactory bridge across the stream to give easy access to the Beach. A single plank has done service in' the past, but the winter hoods have always carried it away, making it necessary to drive stakes and re-erect- the ‘bridge each summer. At best'it was not a very substantial structure and elderly people used it with a greJt deal of trepidation. An attempt to put a‘traffic .bridge’ across the stream two -years ago came to nothing, and ■’new. the width of the creek would put that out of the question. In order to provide for reasonable, access to.the Beach in the coming summer it is |unv suggested that a substantial footbridge be' thrown, across the Hokio at the main crossing. Mr J. Harvey lias had the matter in hand and has prepared specifications for a suitable struct are. These provide for a 100-foot bridge, three feet in width. It would have a clearance of four feet above high tide and thus there would be no danger of logs fouling the superstructure. The bridge would be supported by .12 ironbark piles' each 10 feet long, driven 6 feet into the sand, there thus being five spans of 20 feet each, with jarrah sole plates and stringers and rimu decking and handrails, the whole to be tarred on completion. An advantageous quotation with liberal discounts lias been received for the hardwood, and it is estimated that £SO will pay for the materia]. It is believed that satisfactory arrangements can be made for sinking the piles and already a fair amount of labour has been promised,as well as cash. An appeal* is made by the promoters of the scheme for voluntary offers of money or labour, with; a- view to having the work completed before the summer. Advice may be left at the “ Chronicle’ ’ office or with Mr Harvey. It is felt that the proj<s>t is one that should commend itself to all who appreciate the recreative value of the Beach, and that with some such definite step in a progressive direction, other improvements will follow at Ilokio.