IHURAUA STREAM BRIDGE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8392, 10 April 1907, Page 6

IHURAUA STREAM BRIDGE.

MATTER AGAIN BEFORE THE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The District Road Engineer wrote to the meeting of the Masterton County Council, yesterday, stating that the Department was too busy to undertake the construction of the Ihuraua Stream bridge as requested by the Council. The Clerk stated that the grant for the bridge had since been cancelled. Cr Kebbell said that he desired to help the settlers interested, and he did not feel inclined to let the matter drop. He moved that the Department be asked to reinstate the grant for the bridge and call tenders for the construction, of a suspension bridge. He added that he thought the Department should be reminded of a previous letter stating that they were willing to carry out the work. Cr Welch seconded the motion. Cr Toogood said he considered the letter to mean that the Department did not wish to have anything more to do with the matter. He moved, as an amendment, that the Engineer be instructed to invite tenders for the construction of a suspension bridge. He thought the work could be carried out in Masterton. The Chairman (Cr Cockburn-Hood) said: "I do not see the use of callingtenders for the work when the Government have cancelled the grant. There is no money gavailable for the work without the grant." Cr Towgood altered his amendment to read that the Engineer be asked to prepare plans for the bridge and commence the work as soon as the grant was available. Cr Beetham seconded the amendment.

Cr Welch reminded the Council that the Engineer had stated that he could not erect a suspension bridge to his own satisfaction for under £BOO or £9OO. There was only £7OO available for the work, and it was not fair to ask the Engineer to construct a bridge which he could not approve of. The amendment was then put to the meeting and lost. The motion wa3 carried.

The Clerk was instructed to forward a copy of the motion to Mr J. Boustead.