The Thames Star WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1919. WANTEDCL A BRIDGE

Thames Star, Volume LII, Issue 13931, 9 July 1919, Page 2

The Thames Star

WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1919. WANTEDCL A BRIDGE

MW!tk vMllet towwrdt immmi wUh tharity for «U; wit% frame* i» th«

Although, the trial of the Kopu feri-y was, regrettiaibly, oinsucceisisfulj it does not follow that Hope neesdi be abandoned in, this direction, because, if out information be correct, the test was not carried out under proper working \ conditions. It is (Stated in the finding, of the Commission. that inquired into this onattei", 'that the engine of the launch shall be of 215 horse power, whereas we understand that the power -. of the launch used in' the experiment was aibout half that spiecified. It is reasonable to assuime, therefore, that with the Ml powei- available a vaiy different result would be achieved. There is a..*tr<wig probability that with minor alteraFioinß and a s.ufficien,tly powerful launch, the Kopu ferry may yet prove useful in .uniting the two sides of this district. We contend, however, that this district will never fully" develop or come near realising its destiny while its two. halves are united by such unstable and in-convenieint means as ferries ,alone. There must, and at no distant date, be a bridge to carry the increasing traffic. This is especially necessaay if the farmers of Thames Valley and Hauraiki Plains desire to enjoy the convenience and pittfit of having.a freezing- works at their own- doors. Pat stock are always' knocked about when carried across ferries/ in fact, in/ some districts droversi make, very long detours to get to a; works, so that their stock will Miss being damaged in crossing a river "Xjy p. ferry route. This is only a snrall item.; the large one is that intercourse and trade between districts is limited to the detriment of both. If the Waihou River ran throooh some 'other part of New Zealand, a^ny part of the South Island, and most parts of the North Island, ii would 1 lonigi ago have been rpanniM by bridge®, and each side of the river would then have assisted -he development of the other. We commend 'the Borough Council for realis ing this necessity, and tr.ust> that the # County Council will be alive to the needs and interests of the district by abandoning any future feny projects, a,nd^ joi^ang the Horou^h Council to secure a permanent and satisfactory means of communicataon between th© settlers on tih.e eastern and western sides of the i Waihoiu. If any peirsoni believes that a deep>-sea ha,rbotir will benefit j the farmers of this district- —and surely all must do. ,that—then he roust also' believe that mow is the time to plain for a bridge so that ) the farmers can have direct and constant access with their* port.