STRATFORD COUNTY BRIDGES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 293, 20 May 1915, Page 3

STRATFORD COUNTY BRIDGES.

IN DILAPIDATED COXDITIuX. THRICE IX EVERY FIVE RK(>UII!E REXKWIXU. TJie bridges in the Stratford Cmiuly have apparently been somewhat neglected, for «t tlio County Council meeting yesterday there were numerous complaints witli regard to various bridges, ImsUv lav;- 'and small, from several ridings, and in (hi eoiirse of a. consequent discussion the chairman ■stated that an average of three out of every live bridges in the enmity (or more than half) required attention'. The council Mill undoubtedly shortly have to give, serious attention' to this 'important matter. The following are some of the cases in point:— TTIK DERBY ROAD. The chairman Mlid there were live small bridges and several cjilvcrts uii the Derby Knad, and none of them were safe for traffic. The revenue from that road was only .C 7 Ills. The engineer! estimated that the cost of putting them in order would be ;CtiUo. The road was not carrying much trallic, but the children used it to get to the school. The engineer said that some work was ah solutely necessary. The chairman'' suggested that the council write to the people along the road drawing their attention to the matter, and asking if they would be prepared to raise a special" loan to do. the work. It was decided to carrv out this suggestion. WAITARA-OTAWA BRIDGE. The chairman reported that the piers 1 of the Waitara-Otawa Bridge, on the Xovth Douglas road, were in a very bad condition. If a mob M bullocks went over it he questioned whether it would not collapse. They could perhaps erect the piers in wood and shingle. The matter required instant attention.

The engineer said it would be. necessary to go carefully into the matter. He did not know-how deep they would have to go,for a foundation for concrete piers. On the motion of Cv. "Were, seconded by (Jr. Worthington, it was decided to erect a warning at the bridge. Cr. Coleman moved that the engineer inspect and be given power to proceed with the repairs.

Cr. W'orthington seconded, and it was carried.

BRIDGES' IN BAD REPAIR. The chairman said that three out of every five bridges in the country wee in a very bad state of repair. One on the Cheal road was completely "done for," and one of the Robson road would have to be renewed in a very short time. DENBKin ROAD BRTDCES. Mr. Mills, of the Denbigh road, waited on the council to present a petition that a rating area be declared on that road for the purpose of raising a loan to put the bridges on the road in order, lie had secured sixteen signatures lo the petition out of twenty-three settlers. The chairman said it would cost ;Clf>tl to repair the bridges. A majority of three-fourths was necessary to carry this proposition by means of a petition, but only three fifths if a poll was taken. The poll would, however, cost a further .ClO or more. in compliance with the suggestion of councillors, Mr. Mills agreed' to endeavor to obtain further signatures before !'c(|ucsting the council to lake a poll, and the matter was deferred for ii, month. PALMER ROAD BRIDGES'.

Or. Anderson presented a petition from several settlers on the Palmer road, requesting that a bridge area rate be struck to erect a bridge over the Kapuni. There was a cable bridge there about fifteen years ago, but it was washed away by a flood.. Or. Smith pointed out that, the road would be metalled next season. The engineer estimated that the erection of the bridge would cost something under £SOO. The chairman said they could get a £ for £ subsidy from the (ioverruueiit. and probably the ICltham County would pay half the cost. It was decided that riding members wideaviir to secure further information regarding the cable, bridge which was carried away. ASSISTANCE APPLIED FOR. The Public Works. Department wrote that any proposed application for assistance in the matter of road and bridge construction works should be sent in as soon as possible. The chairman moved that application be made for a grant towards the erection of a bridge over the Maunganui on the Croydon road (estimated cost £550), two bridges on the Denbigh road (estimated cost .6200), a bridge on the Clieal road (estimated cost £-100), and it was alsp decided to ask for financial assistance for the renewal of the Waitara River bridge.. This was seconded and carried with-