A TALE OF TWO BRIDGES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 41, 18 October 1913, Page 5

A TALE OF TWO BRIDGES.

POPO AND AHUROA. It will doubtless be interesting to the ratepayers particularly affected to learn that the Stratford County Council have recently made application to the Minister of Public Works with regard to obtaining a subsidy towards the renewal of the Te Popo bridge and the Ahuroa stream bridge. The letter was as follows:—“1 have been directed by the Stratford County Council to make application to you for a £1 for £1 subsidy in aid of the following works: (1) The renewal of Te Popo bridge on Mountain Road) This bridge is situate some four miles north of Stratford on the main arterial road between New Plymouth and Wellington.. The road in question is carrying, in addition to the purely local traffic, an ever increasing through traffic, which is composed of (a) the interchange of stock, implements, produce, etc., between .South .• > Taranaki and the northern, ports; of New Plymouth and Waitara,; .and (b) the * . i * )• : :r1 i- V » }. almost continual motor traffic running north and south, which as yon are doubtless aware is necessitating greater expenditure on the part of local bodies to provide roads to take it. Though no revenue is at present available from motors, this Council, regarding its responsibilities, has endeavoured to keep up, the standard of its main roads to meet the requirements of all classes tof traffic] and such is particularly the case in respeqt of the Mountain Road, oh which heavy expenditure has been made in remetalling during the past five years. The assistance now asked for would prove but a small offset against this ever-iu-creasing expenditure. The estimated cost of the renewal is £SOO, and the sum of £250 on a £1 for £1 basis is therefore applied for.

The Renewal of Ahuroa Stream Bridge, Stanley Road.

“This structure, which in the early days of the settlement of the district was built by the settlers without any assistance from Government, is now in urgent need of renewal. The locality in question has, however, proved a most expensive one to road and maintain, so much so that the landholders interested are in most cases paying as many as five special rates (on loans raised for formation, bridging and metalling) in addition to the general rate of the County which, though heavy, is not adequate for all requirements. ‘The estimated cost of the renewal is £450, half of which is now applied for on a £! for £1 basis. In conclusion I would bring under your notice the fact that the applications by Stratford County Council for assistance from the Public Works fund have during this and recent years been very few, it being recognised by the Council that it is expected to provide for its own wants in all ordinary cases. The two applications now being made have, however, in the opinion of the Council, features which, it is hoped, will insure your favorable consideration of them.—l have the honor to.be, sir, your obedient servant, E. C. ROBTNSOX, County Engineer.’’ Mr J. 15. Hinc was also communicated with on the above, a copy of the above letter being forwarded to him. Under date October 7th, the Hon. W. Eraser, Minister of Public’Works, I has replied as follows: “E, C. ROBIXSOX, Esq., County “Engineer, Stratford. “Sir, —I have the honor to acknowledge your letter of .‘ird inst. on the j application on behalf of your Council I for a £1 for £1 ■subsidy towards the renewal of the Te Popo bridge on Mountain Road and the Aliuroa stream bridge on Stanley Road. In reply I have to inform you that those matters will have due consideration when the j Estimates are being prepared.—l have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, W. ERASER, Minister for Public Works.”