THE WAITARA BRIDGE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 206, 5 October 1909, Page 4

THE WAITARA BRIDGE.

DISCUSSED BY THE TARANAKI COUOTY COUNCIL.

At the Taranaki County Council meeting yesterday, Councillor Tate introduced a deputation from tlie Waitara Borough Council consisting of the .Mayor (.Mr. Jenkin-1, Cou:i"lllors Rattenbun', Klonner, uad the Town Clerk (.Mr. T. Buchanan). The deputation brief in its request.

Mr. Jenkins stated that the WaiUra Borough Council asked for nothing an fair and for no extravagant sum. Tht Clifton County Council was contributing towards the new bridge anil tin deputation wished the Taranaki County Council to consider the matter and see what it could do. .Mr. Rattenbury said that now there was nothing for it but for tho Waitara Borough Council to come to tho rescue of the bridge. Tile Borough Council would have to strike a rate to raise the bridge loan, and it would be a heavy burden for a community .s'uc.ii as.Waitara. Tile deputation simply asked the Taraliaki County Council to contribute a reasonable sum for, sav, 20 years. He hoped that the endowments would provide a sufficiently great sum to pay the interest on the loan. The bridge must he rebuilt at once, and if the Taranaki County Council had to he cited before the Assessment Court there would be a Jong delay. Mr. Klenner said the deputation did not put a time limit on the county's contribution, as Mr. Rattenbury had done, but hoped to get a contribution during the currency of tto loan.

In reply to a question, Mr. Buchanan stated that tile Clifton County Council, the Waitara Harbor Board, the Waitara Borough Council, and the Taranaki County Council w«re required to contribute.

Asked what the deputation suggested as a contribution, Mr. Jenkins stated that the Cilfton County Council was contributing £IOO a year for 20 years, and the deputation suggested that the Taranaki County Council should give £3O or £35 a year for the currency of the loan.

In answer to a councillor, the deputation stated the estimated cost of the bridge was £II,OOO, exclusive of the alterations to street levels, etc. The Clifton County Council would contribute £IOO pe r annum for 20 years and the deputation asked that the Taranaki County Council assist to the extent of

£3O to £35 per annum during the currency of the loan, estimated at 421 years. In answer to Cr. Hopson, Mr. Buchanan said the difference in the respective terms of years of contribution was arrived at owing to the disparity in the amounts of annual subsidy anticii pated. If the Waitara Borough Council could not build the bridge the Waitara Harbor Board would have to do so. and toll gates would be erected to catch the Taranaki county traflic, which was considerable. The deputation having withdrawn, the Council considered the request. It was poiutcd out that the deputation was asking the Taranaki county for £1250 to £I4OO and the Clifton County, which was directly interested, for only £2OOO. Cr. Carter moved that the question b'e held over till next meeting, a committee, consisting of the chairman, Ci*s. 'Hill and the mover, to collect all data necessary to arriving at some idea of the Council's probable liability, if any. Cr. Tate hoped that the matter would not be hung up, as the Waitava borough was anxious to get on with th* work.

The chairman said the position he took up personally was that he would not vote a pennv unless the New Plymouth Borough Council and the Fitzroy Town Board were cited as well as the Taranaki county. The motion was carried.