THE TAUNGATA BRIDGE.

Shannon News, 21 February 1928, Page 3

THE TAUNGATA BRIDGE.

QUESTION OF RESPONSIBILITY.

At Saturday’s meeting of the Horowhenua County Council, the long-draAvn-out question of the future of the Taungata Bridge was again referred to. The Council had enquired as to its position in viCAv of the fact that it appeared to be situated on a rrver reserve. The Public Works Department replied that, though roads were vested in the CroAvn, they came under the jurisdiction of Counties for construction and maintenance and under these circumstances no opinion could be given in regard to the' County's- question. The Council was recommended to seek legal advice elsewhere. The chairman (Cr. Monk) said this was the result of something being done years ago that Avas not quite right. The local body passed a resolution absolving the Public Works Department from any responsibility in connection Avith the bridge. The speaker had been / the only Councillor aa t lio voted against that motion. Their own engineer and the Public Works engineers agreed that the bridge should be dismantled. It gaA T o access to certain properties and the question Avas: What structure Avould the Council have to provide Avlien the bridge Av r as taken down. He believed the bridge aa'us not on the road but was on a river reserve, which .was not vested in the County, but in the CroAvn. In that case he was quite certain that there was still some responsibility on the Government. If the bridge was not taken doAvn it would fall doAvn and if it fell down-the Council had no liability to replace it. If. they took it doAvn they Avould have to 're-erect it. He asked for authority to take the matter up with the Depart-, mont again, and failing a suitable ar-rangement,-authority to take legal advice from a recognised local body authority. The matter was exceedingly urgent. Cr. Ryder said the matter had been a burning question ever since he had been a member of the Council. Cr. Jensen: If it is \ 7 csted in the* ( .Crown, what authority have we to dis- v .nantle the bridge. The chairman: Tha-t is the point. , It Avas decided that the chairman be * authorised to interview the Public Works Department and to get legal advice if necessary.