THE WINCHESTER BRIDGE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1855, 19 February 1889, Page 2

THE WINCHESTER BRIDGE.

PUBLIC MEETING. In response to an advertisement a number of ratepayers met at the Win•heeter schoolroom on Saturday evening to discuss their position regarding the Vv inchester bridge, which has recently been closed. On the motion of Mr In wood the chair was taken by Mr Deßenzy. The advertisement convening the meeting having been read, the chairman said that the question they had met to consider was a most important one. A bridge on a main road had been closed and the traffic seriously impeded. No road in the county had more traffic than that between Geraldine and Winchester, and the approach to Winchester was now a disgrace. After leaving a good road the traveller entered upon a track (it could bo called little better),' 9ft Gin wide and then had a straight pull through the Waihi river. Some action must be taken shortly. The bridge would either have to be or pulled down and a suitable ford made. He asked for some resolution on the subject, so that it might be fairly discussed. Mr 1). Inwood said. that privately he had brought the matter before the G.O. Council frequently, but nothing had been done. He thought the the thanks of the meeting were certainly due to Mr Deßeniy for the action he had now taken. The condition of the road was simply a disgrace and an accident might happen at any time. It must be remembered that it was a main and not a by road. They were ell rate-,-' payers, and had hitherto asked little. They had certainly received mA thing from the County Council. For his part he thought all the Councils were good for was to close up roads and bridges. With regard to the road in question, if the bridge was allowed fco remain in its present . condition traffic would be practically stopped. Many would remember the days of Cobb and Co. The difficulty was not greater then than now, and the river wasdeemed bo dangerous that it had been proposed to have a fcrdsman. Then the country was open and they could pick a • ford. Now with private property on either side they could not rely upon a ford. . The only passable ford was a few chains lower down, and to get to that they would have to eutec upon freehold property. Farmers now attempting - to take grain to the railway or the mill would get t’neir loads wet. He was not magnifying the position. With a comparatively small fresh traffic would be quite stopped. He remembered well an engine being stuck up for more than a week. He would move- “ That in the opinion of this meeting it is of the utmost importance that some steps should be taken to have the Winchester ' bridge repaired immediately.” . Mr Ensor endorsed the remarks of the Chairman and Mr In wood. In the early days the rivers that always frightened them was the small half creeks. You could never rely upon a ford. Last autumn the Waihi was in such a state that thero was not a crossing for miles for three week?. He thought it scandalous. He thoroughly upheld the remarks made by previous speakers. Ha would say if anything was done it should be in the direction of a good bridge, not of a little stock bridge. Mr Amos Sherralt said that a member—' of the Geraldine County Council was pre-T sent, who could perhaps give them some information, and save them traversing 1 too much ground. Mr 11. A. Barker said that he had coma more to hear than to speak. He could not commit the Council to anything. With regard to the bridge, noihing had been done, and be thought advisedly so. If one bridge wero repaired all must be - done. Doubtless the closing of the bridge made it hard for soma of them. They must remember, however, (hat everyone thought the main road passed his own door. The Council were without funds and had felt doubtful about striking a rate for the purpose, unless they felt confident the people were with (hem. It wasi not merely a question of the Winchester bridge. It went far beyond that. The> question of repairs to bridges had been, brought up from time to time, and he felt: a sense of shame himself at the way the* question had been shelved. The question* had arisen as to the proportionate amount: to be paid by the local bodies. Take the* Orari, bridge for instance. Was the whole* county to pay rates for such an undertaking ? Tiio Paroora bridge was another instance. He believed in that case steps* were being taken to compel the Council to repair ir. Then again it was not only a question of bridges. There wero costly protective works as well, and these were often for the benefit’of private property and were consequently clamoured for. He was not at all averse to the bridges, but lie did not believe in a heavy rate. If the 1 Council bad given way before, the farmers^ would have been heavily burdened in bad times. He thought it better for them to

cross the rivers for a bit nntil a few good crops were gathered in. If there whs no objection to a rate it would put a different fac« on the matter. The Chairman said that he was under the impression that a sum bad been set aside for expenditure on the Winchester bridge, but was subsequently diverted from this purpose and given to the Levels Road Board. , Mr Birker recollected the Road Board getting some money, but he did not think any particular sum had been ear-marked for the Winchester bridge. If it had he Would certainly enquire about it. ■ Mr Aidob Sherratt said tbat be could perhaps give them some information '~'V main roads and bridges, for while a tfiember of the Council ho had had to fight out the question of the Orari bridge. If Mr Barker enquired In* could get n list ot the main bridges. Winchester was one. The Council hitherto had not spent a sixpence in the district. With regard to the bridge in question, he had examined it, and considered that by shortening it sufficient material could be procured to maintain the bridge in good repair for years. If a rate had to be struck let it be done, and the worst jobs done first. A rate of less than a halfpenny would do it Mr Ensor asked if the Geraldine County Council were not in the position of any other public body, and able to go on with the most necessary works first. Mr Barker said the difficulty was as to what wore the most works. It was a matter of opinion. If it came to a question of vote, perhaps the most necessary would bo done. . Times were improving, and there was not now the same objection to a little extra expenditure. Mr E. H. Pearpoinl, while agreeing with what had hitherto been said, foresaw much difficulty. People were clamoring for the reinstatement of the Pareora Abridge, and the legal opinion was tbat the Council was bound to maintain it. Now if one was dona all would have to bo done. If the Winchester bridge were repaired the others would have to follow. Mr Inwood would like to know what the Councils were for. Mr Pearpoint really could not say. They hod them and had to make the best of them. If the bridge wbs repaired there would have to be a special rate. They might get up a petition, but he feared little would be done. Mr Sherratt said that Mr Barker was practically their representative on the Council, and doubtless had their interests at heart. Resolutions could be passed that would materially strengthen his hands. The Council had their own engineer, and ho should be in a position to decide as to the works most urgently required. The fact of the bridge having been closed showed it to be a necessary work, and ha should therefore say it would be one to be first attended to. Mr Mondell said that he was continually having inquiries from stockowners as to the condition of the Waihi ford. The condition of the road was of the utmost importance. The river now was narrowed to a mare gutter. The Orari was quite a different question. There was plenty of room and consequently little danger of being stuck up. The fact of the council being without funds was no reason why work should be stopped. The N district was rich and prosperous, and he Sfftw no just reason why a rate should not Ibe struck and the most important works done. Rales had been struck previously, but the district i a which they were interested had received no direct benefit from them. It was absurd that because they had no money that works were to be suspended. The engineer knew the most necessary, and this was one of them, and a work of value to the whole district. He was of opinion that the ,sooner the Geraldine County Council was abolished, and some other body appointed w j(h similar functions and more inclined to use them the better. Mr A’«x> Reiman desired to second Mr -Inwood’s motion. He had known the river for 25 and had seen it unfordable for a tom-fight. They bad paid rates for other bridges, but bad not received a penny. He thought the council had not looked after their interests. A paltry £2OO would put the bridge in good repair. It was the most important work in the district. If something was not done he would say to the council, “ You are a lot of auld wives, give place to men. He hoped the matter would be pushed through. Mr Dunlop thought the council were being handled *too roughly. There had been a lot of agitation about the Pareora bridge, but little about Winchester. Doubtless after the meeting (something would be done. He quite agreed with the necessity of keeping the bridge up. It was the most important traffic road, for Winchester Station had the lead. If the bridge was closed it would be a great hardship to everyone. He thougnt Mr igherratt sideas the fairest. If a halfpenny *ate would repair all the bridges than let all pay. As to the Orari bridge it was a white elephant. It was a cosily work, would never be much good, He agreed with previous speakers as to the disadvantage of the present arrangement. Replying to Mr Reiman the chairman said that it was proposed to shorten the Bridge by four spans \ out of these 7 istringers would be rejected. There would be almost a third ot the bridge taken away, and the material gained would substantially repair the balance with the exception of the decking, which would require to be new. The cost would be about £l5O. He also thought that some of the material from the Oxford bridge might be utilzed. He then put the resolution, which was carried unanimously. The chairman then read a letter received from Mr E, Yallender detailing a serious delay he had experienced whilst attempting to cross the present ford. A carter had got stuck, and the road was completely blocked for about two hours. He had every sympathy with the movement that evening and hoped successful results would <ensue.

The chairman, iu reply to Mr Inwood, said that Dr Hayes had stated that with the ford in its present position he should ce rtainly hesitate iu case of even a slight freai’: 10 croas - Mr apologised for the absence of Mr Wb ort Taylor who had intended to ba nresent could add nothin S to what had p're vk'msly been said, but would move — “ That a committee be appointed to prepare and circuits throughout the district for signature by ratepayers embodying a rfcf i u ‘ ,st , iafc 1 ™ Winchester, bridge promp.ly and efficiently repaired, and that if necessary a general rate be struck for 1 "

Mr Sherratt seconded the resolution, and in speaking to it said that he felt confident that if they went quietly to work they would obtain the desired objec 1 . He was acre Mr Barker would be backed up by other members in the Council. But of the several rates struck they bad not received anything, and now they had a decided claim. Mr Gaza said that he had been requested to apologise for the absence of Mr Andrew Grant, who had desired him to say that be was thoroughly with them in their ondoayors, and would assist in , any way that he conld. The motion was than put and carried. The following gentlemen weree'ected a committee, with power to add to their number, to carry out the resolutions — Messrs Deßei'zy, Inwood, Mundell, A. Sherratt, E. H. Pearpoint, A. Reiman, John Hay, John Kel'and, and W. Postleth waile. Mr Barker moved a vote of thanks to the chair, und in doinsr so desired to dinabuse the minds of those present that he was averse to the repairing of the bridge. He knew it was one of the mofct important in the district, and as far us be could bo would assist them to get the necessary work put in hand. He would like an expression of thnir views os to the suggested alterations. The Council's engineer had said something about making the bridge a little narrower, and his views at the time had seemed feasible enough. The chairman said that the plan for shortening the bridge appeared the most practical, and was the one publicly approved of. He hoped that something would bo done. The Rood Board had done their best to keep the bridge passable, and he considered that the greatest credit was due to thoir overseer for the attention he had given to any request from ratepayers in that direction. Messages and telegrams regarding impeded traffic had been promptly attended to. Mr Sherratt sacondod the vote of thanks, which was carried by acclamation. On the motion of Mr Inwood a sim hr compliment was paid to Mr R. A. Birker. The meeting then terminated. S - At a meeting of the committee subsequently held it was resolved to leave the drafting of the petition to Messrs Inwood and Deßenzy, and when approved of by the general committee to get it in circulation as quickly as possible.