The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1884. THE OPIHI BRIDGE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1277, 13 December 1884, Page 2

The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1884. THE OPIHI BRIDGE.

It is so long ago since the contract for the Opihi bridge was let that we have lost all recollection of the date, We oaly know it ought to have been finished long ago, ami that it could easily hare been done so had not someone fearfully bungled. In fact, the affair has been a bungle from beginning to end. We do not desire to enter into the law cases which arose out of it, nor the interviews with the Council, although these matters do certainly afford room for much comment. J'he public have been put to extraordinary inconvenience through the work not having been carried on with due despatch, and that is whnt wc com* plain of. The excuse is that the limber has not come. What excuse is this ? Why was not this foreseen and arrangempnts made for the timber to bs landed on the ground long ago ? We do not know who is in fault. It may be the County Council, or it mav be the contractors, but certain it le that this matter betrays culpable mismanagement. The old bridge had no right to be taken down until everything was ready. It wns not a work that could afford to be carried out Blowly. The bridge was much needed, and it ought to have been re-built with all possible despatch. If this object had been kept in view cara would have , been taken to have the timber on the ground ,

before the work was taken in hand, or, at any rate, as fast as the workmen would be ready for it. Instead of that, the timber has been coming piece-meal, a few planks now and a few planks another time, and work has been frequently suspended through this. Surely it was easy to ascertain in the beginning what quantity of timber would be necessary, and it was as well to order it then as now. If no delay had occurred through waiting for timber the bridge would have been finished long ago ; it is to this all the fault is ascribable, and it is a matter that might easily have been foreseen It is simply shameful. The river is frequently impassable, and, when not so, dangeroas. The fori in it changes almost daily, and no one can feel safe going through the same place twice in succession. Yesterday, only for timely assistance having fortunately arrived, a valuable life would have been lost. If the man had been drowned, would those who are the cause of all this delay be entirely free from responsibility ? Let them ask their own consciences, and unless they are vtry dull indeed the reply will be sufficient to make them use more expedition in future.