THE NORTHERN APPROACH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9993, 14 March 1910, Page 5

THE NORTHERN APPROACH.

(To the Editor). Sir, —A great deal has been written and said in condemnation of the County Council in deciding to erect two bridges on the main road over the Waipoua river. Prom what I know of the personnel of the Council the importance of improving the nor« thern approach to Masterton has not been iightly considered. The members are an intelligent body of men, well acquainted with, and, as ratepayers, directly interested in the affairs of the county. If a aingle bridge would suffice for the work now done by two these men would be the very first to recommend It. They and the people they represent are those that have got to pay for the work, and are directly interested in securing for the ratepayers the most durable work 'they can obtain commensurate with the means at their disposal The first point the Council had to consider was whether in their judgment the river could be confined to one channel, and if so, would the cost ,e greater than re-erecting two bridges? Th question was fully considered in all its bearings, and much as they would wish to see tne water confined to one channel the initial cost would be beyond the means at the Council's disposal. The after consequences is an unknown quantity, and might easily run the County into thousands 01 pounds for damages. To confine the river to the northern channel would mean diverting the river from its natural course, and the propertyowners on Adams' Flat would immediately set to work to obtain an injunction to stop the Council carrying out the proposal, until they had first ot all agreed to compensate all the property owners against flood damage. Assuredly an expensive undertaking. To take the water through the southern branch I do not think has entered the calculations of the advocates of the single bridge, as the river has been encroached upon by willow s ", etc., and the channel so narrowed as to make' it impossible to carry the volume of water that comes down in flood time. A concrete embankment would have to be erected on each side of the stream, and work would be beyond the means of the Council. No one disputes that one concrete bridge would be cheaper than two built of wood, but to make that statement, and go no further is merely throwing dust in the eyes of the ratepayers. The Council have considered the question in all its bearings, and have had quite ai good expert advice as that offered by outsiders. They have decided the question, and would stullify them- | selves to reopen it. All they have to I do now is to put the work in hand as I decided, and that right speedily, and they will have the support of the ratepayers who have elected them as their representatives.- am, etc., RATEPAYER.