THE NORTHERN APPROACH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9717, 12 February 1910, Page 5

THE NORTHERN APPROACH.

To the Editor, Sir,—lt appears that the Borough and County Councils have come to an agreement regarding the above r§ad, but I understand the scheme the County have in view is to build two wooden bridges, the lives of which with our increasing heavy traffic will not be more than twenty to thirty years, with constant expense and inconvenience to the travelling public for repairs—new decking, etc. Now, I have in my possession plans and estimates prepared by the best authority in New Zealand on such work, which provides for one bridge only, built throughout in concrete and practically everlasting, with 24tt roadway, and two side paths of 6ft each, the whole estimated cost of which, including building the road and permanently diverting the southern branch of the stream for less money than the present county estimate. It is well known that the Masterton County Council have persistently shelved this most important work for years past, and now when public opinion compels them to take action we are threatened with obsolete methods of dealing with the work to the permanent disadvantage I of both town and country. Sir, there | is one puwer which is stroneer and | more powerful than the local body ! under whose control the work rests, I and that is ! payers want this work done in an upI to-date and creditable manner let I them take action at once, before any of their funds are wasted; better that the work were indefinitely postponed than have an inferior job. The i question of possible damages by 1 diverting all the water into one stream has been raised; surely, Sir, it must be plain to any business man that supposing the Education Board whose property is affected could claim say £5 in damages, it is obvious that they would be gainers of at least ten times that amount by the increased value of the land nearer town, through the permanent diversion of flood waters. Trusting that other interested ratepayers will promptly take this matter up. - I am, etc., DONALD DONALD. Lansdowne, Feb. 11, 1910.