MODERN BRIDGES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 April 1938, Page 9

MODERN BRIDGES

PRESENT-DAY REQUIREMENTS FEATHERSTON COUNTY COUNCIL DISCUSSION “It is ridiculous to build 24-foot bridges on backblock roads,” observed Mr Q. Donald, chairman of the Featherston County Council at yesterday's meeting of the council, during a discussion on a proposal bridging the Wairarapa Stream at the boundary of the Fetherston and South Wairarapa counties. He agreed that, looking to the future, it was very necessary to construct bridges linking up back-country roads. He considered that bridges from, nine to twelve feet in width were quite adequate to cope with traffic requirements.

Councillor A. B. Martin: “In stipulating 24-foot bridges the Public Works Department is looking ahead. There will not be any backblock roads in ten years’ time. It is no use building bridges that will not serve for years. Anything under 12 feet is useless.” Mr Donald said that if they did not receive a £3 for £1 subsidy they would have to drop the proposal. The Minister, he said, talked a lot about subsidies, but he doubted whether the county would receive a £3 for £1 subsidy. Mr Donald said he did not believe in increasing the rates for this purpose.

Councillor L. J. Thompson: “If we don’t do it we will put the onus on the Public Works Department." Mr Donald: “That is where I want to put it.”

Application is to be made for a subsidy on the cost of constructing the bridge, to which the South Wairarapa County Council has been asked to contribute a portion. The Featherston Council is to obtain an estimate of the cost of the boundary bridge, and the Wairarapa South Council is to secure an estimate of the cost of another bridge in its area.