THE WAIHOPAI BRIDGE.

Southland Times, Issue 1619, 13 August 1872, Page 3

THE WAIHOPAI BRIDGE.

Bjx, — I hare come into town this morning, and observe that preparations are being mode for driving the piles for the erection of toe new bridge over the Waihopai, at Gladstone. As the timber if not upon the spot, and with the pre■ent weather the work is not likely to be commenced for a few days, I think the time might be employed in an effort to induce the Government 'to hare a straight crossing instead of the proposed corre. Pthink it need not be argued that the curre wiUjprove not only unsightly but dangerous. I am informed that a temporary bridge, obviating the necessity of closing the traffic, might be erected for £70, and there would then be no necessity for a curre, the new structure crossing at the site of the old, and saving an expenditure for probably 600 yards of earthwork, required for approaches to the contemplated bridge. It the Government were upon the spot, £he bridge, as designed, would not be carried oat, because the folly of it would be perceived by the authorities-. She disadvantage of having local expenditure directed fi a great distance from the spot is ■ herein seen, and furnishes a strong argument in fevor of the establishment of pounty or District Boards, by whom such worls at roads and bridges, and, is /act, all

local public worts, should be managed. It is possible that a remonstrance signed by a few wwidents forwarded at once to the Government against the proposed erection might be successful At any rate it is worth a trial.— l am, &c, Tbaveixbb. August 12, 1872.