THE ORARI BRIDGE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2202, 16 May 1891, Page 3

THE ORARI BRIDGE.

The following is the principal of the discussion in the County Council Mr C. G. Tripp, as spokesman of the deputation, urged the whole diatricfc was thoroughly unanimous in its desire to have the bridge maintained, and be did not know what more they could do to show it. They had sent a petition signed by 240 ratepayers, most of them small ratepayers, to whom the bridge would be of greater advantage than to large ratepayers, as their teams were usually weaker. '1 he large ratepayers also signed the petition though they would naturally have to pay heavily if a rate was struck and they asked the council to strike a rate. The petition and the resolutions from the road boards and. animal meetings of ratepayers in support of it, were entitled to some weight with the council, The petitioners did not ask for this bridge only, they were not selfish, but urged the council to place all bridges on main roads in condition for traffic, and they would willingly be rated for the purpose. Mr Tripp read a letter from Dr Fish who pointed out that the absence of a bridge might be disastrous to him or to persons requiring his services across the river. As to the amount of traffic over the river, the engineer had told them something about that, and he might mention that one man alone passed 50,000 sheep over tbe Bangitata bridge, and -most of them must have crossed the Orari. He had been informed that in times of flood settlers at Belfield under contract to deliver produce bad been compelled to go far out of their way to use th# bridge, and without it they would have been unable to meet their engagements. -Mr Bull, a carter at Mount Feel, informed the Bead Board that be bad seen no Tees than three drays stuck in the riverbed at once. Had a flood come down upon them there must have been lose of property and perhaps of life, The bridge being on the main line of road, if it were wanting a link would be broken. The ratepayers of the district not only, wished their own bridge kept up, but were delighted to hear of any other being restored, the one m Mr Howell’s neighborhood for instance, (laughter) although it was not on a main line of road—(more laughter). They were very glad to hear that Mr Howell had succeeded in getting a good bridge in his neighborhood. [Mr Howell objected to such personalities]. In making a ford over the Oran the engineer had only 14 feet to work upon on one side and a few more on tbe other. The banks were of loose shingle, which a flood would easily wash away, leaving a precipice for the ’ first traveller to fall over. Who would be answerable for such an accident? (Mr Howell: Tbe travel ler). Then so narrow a way out of the river would be exceedingly ’dangerous in time of flood. The cost of making the bridge fit for traffic would not, he understood, be much greater than the cost of turning it into a stock;,bridge. What was the difference ?

Mr Howell moved, and Mr Gaild seconded, pro forma —“ Thai the Orari bridge he converted into a stock bridge.” Mr Guild did not think half the members knew all the circumstances.; he meant that tbeie was far more traffic across the river at the lower crossings, there was a petition before them now for a lower bridge; and the council should take that into consideration before deciding to spend all their funds on less necessary bridges. All that bad been said that day had not touched a single fact of importance ; “ the food of the people,” “ the doctor,” from such men; as Mr Tripp and Mr Acland was disgraceful. Why it would pay the council better to send out a cart with “ the food of the people ” and pay the bakers’ and butchers’ bills than keep up this bridge. (Laughter). They talked of a soft riverbed. Of course «t was soft, and would be soft until traffic hardened it. It was no worse than a newly shingled road. Of course there would be au outcry for a time when the people found they had to do without the bridge, just as there was a terrible *‘ baa-ing ” when the lambs were separated from their dams, but the shepherd knew it was for the good of both lambs and dams and did not let his pity get the better of his judgment. (Great laughter). He laughed at the idea of the Government being appealed to,* No Government would compel a local body to buy an 80-ton gun to shoot a sparrow. He was not in favor of any bridge at all, but if there was to be any more bridging it should be lower down, where a larger number of people were. cat oft by a flood in the river, and where the people from the hills could cross man emergency. If the present demand was acceded to they could net as honest men refuse three or four bridges lower down. Bat they should not accede to it. In their private capacity they would not think of doing it, and as public men they should not do it either.

Mr Mackay moved and Mr Barker seconded as an amendment—" That the Orari bridge be put in thorough repair for wheel traffie according to the engineer’s plan and estimate, using the present decking as far as it will go,” Mr Barker pointed out that the difference in most of the two proposals was only £BOO, and for the sake of that they should not allow the bridge to be lost.

Mr Howell said it was a lightly rated people who were forcing their band. Mr Quinn replied that this could not be said, as Geraldine and Temuka were of the same mind, and together they would pay half the county rate. Mr Barker said the census returns showed that the Geraldine distr.ct had more than half the population of the county. Mr Quinn said it would be hard to disestablish an old bridge like that. He did not think their position as councillors for the county was so much superior to that of members of the road boards (as had been urged by Mr Howell) that they should ignore the advice of the three road boards and the Geraldine Town Board, and if, acting on that advice, they spent an extra £BOO on the bridge be did not think the ratepayers would haul them over the coals for it. Mr Guild said there was no traffic there. But how could he say that when they had positive evidence on the point ? The chairman intimated that be would support the amendment, Mr Guild: Then Mr chaiaman, you vote for carrying out the Orari and Pareora bridges ? The chairman: les. Mr Guild : Then, the ratepayers must get someone else to do it. I will not sit here to carry it out. It is monstrous. Why, if the old Oxford bridge were re-decked there would be more traffic over it than there can be over the Oiari bridge. Mr Mackay’s amendment was then put and carried, by four to two. Before the council rose Mr Guild handed bis resignation to the chairman, on the ground that he "objected to throwing away the ratepayers’

money in the way the council proposed to do in the matter of the traffic bridges.” Mr Hewell pressed Mr Guild not te i resign. He ought to remain to act as a “ drag ” upon the others, Mr Guild said no, they should let the coach go until the ratepayers rose up and stopped it altogether. . He meant no disrespect to the council, he knew that the majority must rule, hut be could not sit there grinding his nerves by seeing money spent in a way no private person would spend it. Members tried to persuade Mr Guild to withdraw his resignation but be resolutely declined. The chairman said that the council had considered this matter for a long time, and they wore doing what they believed best in the interests of the whole county, Mr Howell said that he would nol follow Mr Guild’s example because bu 1 opinions were well known when hf was elected. He agreed with Mi 1 Guild that it was a waste of woney.

the committee, and, after giving a brief address, he introduced the performers, among whom were, besides local talent, visitors from Temuka and Tim am. The programme was opened by Miss Kate Gaffaney, who played a pianoforte solo in excellent style, being received with loud applause. Mr Gilchrist followed with a song, -Little Shamrock.’ Miss Gaffaney next sang verv sweetly ‘ The Auld Scotch Bangs. Mr’ Foster then rendered in his usually excellent style the song 'Nancy Lee.’ * The Sailor Boy,’ by Mr J. Collins, was loudly encored, as was also •the solo * Killarney,” by Miss McLeed. Mr Barrett’s comic song * The Talkative Man” was received with deafening applause, and was loudly encored. The Misses Gaffanev and Stephenson sang, with taste, a duet, ‘Hearts and Home*,’ and Mr Martin received a well-merited encore for his rendering of ‘The. Highlander’a Toast,’ Mr J. McCaskill was loudly applauded for bis excellent singing of ‘Eileen Alannah,’ and Mr J. Elder closed the first part of the programme with a comic song, ‘ Soap ’im and Shave ’im. After Mr Ward had played a waltz on the piano, Mr Fester sang, in strong voice, ‘ They all Love Jack,’ and Miss Gaffaney was loudly and deservedly apylauded for her rendering of ‘Barney O’Hea.’ ‘ The Englishman,’ by Mr Gilchrist, brought forth a loud recall, which was responded to with ‘The Empress of the Wave.’ The audience were then reminded of the painful scenes of the Indian Mutiny by Miss McLeod’s feelingly-rendered song ‘Jessie’s Dream.’ Mr Martin next was cheered in his popular aoug ‘ Sailing,’ and Miss Stephenson sang ‘ We’d Better Bide a Wee.” Mr Barrett was again encored for his song ‘Sweat Heather Bell,’ and Mr G. Collins followed with ‘ Poor Little Johnnie.’ The singing of ‘ The Parson end the Clerk,* by Mr J. McCaskill. aroused great enthusiasm, and produced a well-deserved encore. A splendid programme was brought to a close by Mr Elder in his comic song ‘Dinah and Tam,’ the singer being forced to respond to a loud encore. The room being cleared, dancing was kept up to a late hour, all seeming to enjoy themselves thoroughly. Mr A, Bisect was an efficient H.O», and the committee desire to thank him ter generously returning his fee of half * guinea for officiating on this occasion. Mr H. Babington also deserves praise and thanks for supplying the music. The entertainment was certainly a vory enjoyable one, and the committee are to be congratulated on their success.