NORTHERN APPROACH

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9995, 16 March 1910, Page 5

NORTHERN APPROACH

MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL'S VIEWS.

NO OBJECTION IF COUNTY COUNCIL WILL RE-OPEN QUESTION.

At the meeting of the Borough Council last evening the Masterton Chamber of Commerce forwarded a letter containing the following resolutions, which was passed at their last meeting: —"That in view of the Masterton County Council's decision to build two wooden structures at the Northern Approach, this Chamber urges the Masterton Borough Council to insist on the original resolutions being carried out, viz., that the Borough and County Engineers formulate a scheme for the Northern Approach, and that in the event of their failing to agree, a consulting engineer be engaged to settle the difference:: that in the opin ; on cf this -Chamber the bridge or bridges shoulti be cuiistructed of concrete or more lasting material than timber."

The Mayor stated that it seemed to him that the Chamber's letter had come rather late in the day to reopen the question. The two Engineers had already dealt with the question. The County Council were most definite in insisting that the river should not be diverted from its natural channels. Further, it was only after the greatest difficulty that they got the County to eo into the question at all, and he was very much afraid that if any attempt was made to interfere the whole scheme would be dropped. It would be a pity if they attempted to break faith with the County Council. He wanted to see the work done, and he thought the present scheme would meet the requirements of the town for a considerable time to come. If the Uoun • cil were prepared to modify the scheme, he would agree with them, but beyond that he would not think of interfering at this stage. Cr Pauling said that it was a peculiar thing that the Chamber.did not give their assistance at the time the whole matter was being arranged between the two bodies. Something might have been done that the Chamber put their shoulders to the wheel at the proper time. As far as he was concerned he did not care to move in the mattter at this stage, and it was "no use locking the door after the horse had gone." Cr Morris agreed with the remarks of Cr Pauling. It would not be right to break faith with the County Council.

Cr Ewington said that if the one bridge scheme were adopted the expense required to construct protective works along the bank would be considerable. A new scheme they knew nothing of might result in a heavy burden being thrown on to the ; ratepayers. He agreed with the opinoin already expressed that the advocates of the one bridge scheme were only "throwing dust in the ayes of the people."

The Mayor stated that as far as he knew there was nothing to prevent them going on with the work. If they attempted to interfere the whole scheme would probably be blocked. The Mayor suggested that they inform the Chamber of Commerce that the Borough Council is unable to withdraw from the Sfheme already consented to, and thnt k was too late to interfere without the consent of the County Council.

This was agreed tu, and it was also decided that the Chamber of Commerce be referred to the County Council and if they are willing to entertain the scheme the Borough Council will offer no objection.