THE WAIPOUA BRIDGES

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10459, 25 October 1911, Page 5

THE WAIPOUA BRIDGES

THE PROPOSED EXTENSION.

The County . Clerk, Mr F. Moore, wrote to last- night's meeting of the Masterton Borough Council in reference to the question of the proposal to widen the bridge over the Waipoua river at the northern entrance to the town. He stated that he had been directed to say that application was made to the Public Works Department with a view to a,soertaining whether the Minister will be prepared to, recommend the j Governor to issue a further warrant authorising the extension- of the work in the .manner suggested. From the correspondence enclosed Hie County Clerk stated if the procedure directed I>y section 119 of the Public Works Act, 1908, is complied with, the -warrant would be issued. fhe County solicitor, however, had expressed the opinion that a warrant issued in the manner, and fqr the purpose stated, was open to attack on the ground that while the term "work" in the said section included the lengthening of a bridge, there was no such express provision with regard to the widening of a 'similar structure, and that" in these circumstances- the only safe course to pursue was to obtain a decision of the Supreme Court of the point under "The Declaratory Judgments Act, 1908.' Such a decision, if favourable to the issue of a warrant, would place theqeustion .beyond doubt, and the work could be proceeded with in ithe certainty that no question would il>e raised hereafter with, regard to the legal position. The County Clerk added that the .Council had decided •to abide by the recommendation of the solicitor', provided the ISaroiigh Council Was prepared to agree to this connse, and to authorise the incurr-

ing of the necessary expense. On the motion of ithe Mayor, it « as resolved to inform the County Council that the Borough Council was agreeable to the 'course suggesrted .n t_. letter.

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