CORDELIA STREET BRIDGE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 60, 9 November 1915, Page 7

CORDELIA STREET BRIDGE.

TT.NOERB TO BV, GALLtD, ! 'At last night's meeting of the Btrtaford Borough Council the Mayor moved, in response to a petition signed by a number of ratepayers resident ill the vicinity of Cordelia and lAriel Streets:—"That tenders be called for a footbridge over the Patea River at Ariel Street." His Worship said that in calling tenders for a footbridge- at Ariel Street it did not ' mean necessarily that the bridge should be erected at

.Ariel Street, but it was mainly to bring matters to a head. In bis opinion, Ariel Street was the place to erect a bridge, but it did not matter whore it was erected. The bridge would be no use to him. He would like to see it erected at the most suitable spot for people residing on both sides of the river. If it was erected at Ariel Street it would be very suitable for school children. He thought that by putting it alongside the Technical School the children could evade crossing the railway line on the way to and from school. The one great question was finance. When estimates for the work were compiled some time ago, the cost of erecting a bridge at Ariel Street Mas £75, and that at Cordelia Street £llO. The difference of £35 was a considerable amount on £llO. If the bridge was erected at Ariel Street it would be used extensively by people living on both sides of tho river. His Worship said some ratepayers favored Cordelia Street, but he did not mind where the bridge was erected so long as it was erected. At the request of the Mayor tho Town Clerk read a petition favoring the erection at Cordelia Street, signed by 52 ratepayers. Mr Smith, at the invitation of the MayorJ aired some viewy of the residents relating to the erection of the bridge at Cordelia Street. Mr Smith said he had drawn out a petition asking tho Council to erect a bridge where it saw lit, but ho could get nobody to sign it. Not to bo beaten, he drew out another specifying Cordelia Street, and he had been successful iu obtaining 52 names. Cordelia Street was, in his opinion, the correct spot to erect the bridge, as it was the only through street. Cr. Young seconded the Mayor's motion pro forma. He stated, that in his opinion the state of the Borough finances would not allow of the work being proceeded with, so the matter should be hung up. He was right up against it. The Council had to discontinue the very urgent work of carting stones, and it could hardly maintain the roads.

Cr. Thompson moved as an amendment: That tenders bo called for a footbridge over the Patea River at Cordelia Street. Cr. Thompson said the bridge had never been on the estimates, but it could be said tkat practically it had been on. The last time the matter was before the Council a division resulted. If it was thrown out at the present time it should be thrown out altogether. The Council was taking too many bites. If the bridge was erected at Cordelia Street it would be used by the residents on both sides of the river. Ariel Street was a broken street, and would be so as long as Stratford was a, Borough. Cordelia was the only through street to the* Warwick Road. The site he suggested was central, and centrality

wa« a big factor. A stranger coming| into lowii could nut find the bridge it] it, was at Ariel Street, but it would bo easy of access it' it was at the through c>trcet. He noticed that every j resident of Ariel Street had .signed the petition favoring the erection of the bridge at Cordelia Street. The Council should :iot consider linance for a matter of about £35 or £4O. Though the bridge wars never on the estimates, it, had been keenly debated, and he would like to see the matter cleared

The motion was seconded by Cr. I Hunter. Cr. Hunter said that in the portion of the town where they pro-, posed to erect the bridge sections could he bought at a more modernteprice than in other parts of the town,; yet ii was an isolated district. It was very inconvenient if one happened to; be half way between Swansea Roadj and Broadway if he wished to visit the other side of the river. It would mean 1 taking a trip to either of the bridges. It would be foolish to erect a bridge at Ariel Street, a s every street in the! town would be opened up before it. It, would not be opened in a 1000 j years. One would need an aeroplane, if the bridge were constructed, to gain access to it. If there were any sandbaggers in town, somebody would get bagged there for sure, remarked the speaker. Cordelia Street was more convenient in every respect. It would be easier of access, though it may be a little larger span. He could not see how the estimate worked out less for Ariel Street than Cordelia Street.. There was everything in favor of con-'

structing it at Cordelia Street. It! would cost another £SO to get downj to the bridge at Ariel Street. The J bridge site did not interest him one farthing, hut in the best interest of all concerned he would like to see it erected at Cordelia Street. Or. Hancock said he wished to, second all Cr. Thompson had remarked. Cordelia was the only through; street, and in his opinion it was the' only site for the bridge. It would boj foolish to put the bridge at Arielj Street, as no stranger would be able] to iiud it. /At Ariel Street the bridge j would mainly bo used by bowlers andj school children. Cr. Mills said ho was inclined to! favor Cr. Young's suggestion that though the bridge was necessary the! finances were not too good. Cr. Mills| agreed with Cr. Thompson in the; matter of Cordelia Street being the most suitable place for the bridge. Ho said he was not one of those who favored paying for permanent work out of revenue. Cr. Lawson also spoke and questioned whether, if the bridge was erected at Ariel Street, it would be on the street. Mr Sullivan (Borough Overseer) explained to the Council where the ap-, proaches would lie if the bridge was, erected at Ariel Street. His Worship said in moving Ariel! Street he had kept Cordelia Street in hie mind., as it was half way between, Swansea Road and Broadway. The! first application made for a bridge was by the School Committee. The bridge would be used mainly by the school children and lie wanted to study the children. The.bridge had never been on the estimates, though the matter, had, on more than one occasion, been; befor- the Council. 'Hie structure would each cost about £lO more now.. Ho did not know where the money would some from, hut rather than put the bridge at the wrong street lie would like to see the matter hung up. Ho could not lace bringing down u loan when the country was in such need of money. A loan was needed to repair the footpaths, -they were worn out, and the Council would derive no revenue from the Municipal Buildings this year, and it only received a small amount hist year. Cr. Thompson's motion was carried, there being only two dissentients, cast bv JJrs'. 'Young and Davcy.