DUAL CONTROL OF A BRIDGE.

Shannon News, 28 May 1929, Page 3

DUAL CONTROL OF A BRIDGE.

SITUATED IN KAIRANGA COUNTY

RECONSIDERATION OF AGREE MENT REQUIRED.

Reference was again made, at the annual meeting of the Horowhenua County Council, to a small bridge on the Main Highway in the Kairanga County immediately north of the Horowhenua County boudary. At the April meeting, it. was decided, on the iccommendation of the Works Committee, to approach the Kairanga Council for a reconsideration of the agreement in respect to his bridge, in view of the prospective construction of the Highway in the vicinity of the boundary. Attention was recalled to the matter, at the meeting on Wednesday, by. Cr. Whyte, who said it appeared that, about 1903-06, there was an arrangement with the Kairanga Council that the Horowhenua Council should control the bridge and that the. former body should allow this Council so much per year. According to a recent survey, he was told, the boundary was about u chain to the south side of the bridge. In that case ho considered that this county should hand the control back to Kairanga,. The chairman (Mr Monk) said he did not think that the agreement could hold; that portion of the highway was in the Kairanga County, and this was not the controlling authority. Cr. Gimblett: I take it that any agreement brought up previous to this is null and void. We could not maintain a bridge in another county. The Chairman: We could only 'contribute. The bridge in those days was probably built for a few pounds. Todav we are faced with providing a bridge 18 or 20 feet wide, nrobably in concrete, and it will be pretty expensive. However, it is in the Kairanga County, and I think the responsibility is theirs.

Cr. Gimblett: Though it is in their County, there will be.an accident there sooner or later, and while the agreement has not been disproved we hold some responsibilities, and if we point out to the Kairanga County Council that we disclaim any responsibilities it will put us on side. The County Clerk (Mr Hudson) stated that he had not yet received a reply from the Kairanga Council, but now that the elections were over this Council could get in touch with that body again.