The Daily News. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1914. THE WAIWAKAIHO BRIDGE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 115, 8 October 1914, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1914. THE WAIWAKAIHO BRIDGE.

The Taranaki County Council has a problem jto face in connection with the preservation of tho Waiwakaiho bridge that presents many difficulties, although the main' trouble, is that of finance. No good purpose will bo served by reverting to what might have been done to guar.l against the erosion trouble when the bridge was rebuilt, nor in criticising the failure of the weir that was subsequently built up, only to be destroyed by the action of the flood-water and timber' brought down tho stream. That tno magnitude of the danger was not realised is evident, and it is to be regretted that good money has been lost by the process of tinkering. That chapter may be regarded as closed, and in view of the serious undermining of the bridge piers that is now taking place, the County Council has been compelled to seek expert advice in order to save the structure. The erosion trouble has arisen in consequence of the removal of boulders from the rived-bed for metalling roads, and both above and. below the bridge this denuding process has been iargely carried out, with the result that tho natural protection afforded by these boulders hag? disappeared, and it has become necessary to erect an artificial barrier to prevent the river-bed being lowered, and to act as an accumulator for the stones tfhat are washed down at every fresh of the river. The Council now recognises that effective and permanent steps are necessary, wisely determining that the work demands an expenditure adequate to its importance, and that any cheap expedient would only mean a waste of money. The advice of Messrs Slndden and Palmer was sought by the Council, and these expert engineers recommend a weir, which they consider will effect the object in view. This weir, when completed, will be 252 ft • in length, with a waterway of 215 ft, and, including tho lipron, will be 24,tt in width, and will be constructed with a series of buttresses, spaced 12ft apart and built parallel with the cours,e of the stream, each buttress being 10ft long at the base and 2ft at the crest of the weir. The spaces between the buttresses will be filled in with boulders, and the ■whole covered with a skin of reinforced concrete Sin in thickness. This outer covering will be continued below the water cushion, and will extend to the face of the apron. Between the end of the waterway and tho banks of the stream a concrete wall will be built up to a height of 6ft above the level of the erest of the wpir, and walls will also J"e made at the ends of tho apron to control the water at these points. Even a layman will be able to see that the weir proposed should accomplish the purpose for which it is designed, but .it will be costly, nor could it be otherwise if it is to be a really effective safeguard for the bridge. Whether the work is done by contract or day labor, it is almost certain that it will cost at least £2OOO, and possibly more. As this outlay is for repairs and not for a new bridge, the county cannot raise a loan, and the problem of how to finance the work is not easy to solve. The Borough Council, by agreement, is only liable for one-fourth - of t!he cost, and it is problematical whether tho Railway Department can be persuaded to pay a share, though it is beyond all question that the railway bridge will benefit by the weir. Apparently, the only way of raising the money that appealed to the Council was tho erection of a toll gate, and that is juflt the ono course iihat the townspeople and the Borough Council will do all in their power to prevent, for reasons that are too obvious to mention. It would seem, therefore, that in the first place the County Council should strongly urge the Government to assist with a grant, and then that the Borough Council, sooner than have the threatened toll, should contribute one-third instead of a fourth. The remainder could be raised by a special rate over the whole of the county, as the road is the main arterial thoroughfare northwards. Possibly somo arrangement could be mado to spread the amount over two years, if necessary. It is very certain that the work must be carried out, or the life of the bridge will be very short, so that some sacrifice is inevitable. Opposition to the erection of a toll gate at the very gateway of the town will be unanimous. Taranaki is cursed with too many of these artificial'restrictions already, and it is surprising the Council should consider the project f»r a minute. The Borough Council, of course, has the right to adhere to its agreement, but as the timely stoppage of the erosion will obviate the necessity of a new bridge in the near future, the Council may be disposed to favorably consider the question of an increased levy.