THE BRIDGE AT CRAWFORD'S CROSSING.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 912, 27 April 1878, Page 2

THE BRIDGE AT CRAWFORD'S CROSSING.

Sib,— The Tamehere Board has got a job j iv hand, and all the world must know it. I see by your report of the last Waikato Council meeting that my name is mentioned several times, and infers that I obstructed the progress of the said bridge. But to make ifc a square affair I have something" to relate upon the subject. I did nofc know there was any difference between Mr Leslie and myself m this matter until after the above mentioned meeting. The lGfch of December Avas thc first I knew any thing of the affair, tmd ivy explanation of the time lost from this liite up to the lst of March is that throughout my experience both as a trustee and contractor hi the Waikato it is nearly impossible to get contracts let uid the work done advantageously m the laymakiug and harvest time. Tlie time nay come when my opinion will change lpon this point, but as a proof that the ime has not yet amved I need not go icyond this very proposed bridge that rustees (Tamahere) have worked hard or three years to erect, aud then only got one ender, and that one from thc Engineer, vho tenders and estimates. There is everal hundred yards of earthwork to >erform without giving a single lime howing ci her cutting of filling. If thg Cambridge Board erred it was when they ried to make something of the plan as out to them. But I was appointed to aake necessary alterations and watch the ( atcrest of our district. At an interview • vith Mr Leslie I made several alterations udeprnebnt of the piles suggested, and , *

r - . agreed to call for tenders upon his engmeers estimate of £80, hut iv confin° U T i,™ 1 *, 1 thou K ht ifc was worth nearly £100. Mr Reod camo some time afterwards to see ms about accepting his (the only one sent m) tender of £95. Up to this time I had uot the least objection, but upon openiug the plan I enquired about the alterations I had made, b.r Reed said he knew nothing of alterations, aud that his plan was a good one, and upon further inquiry I found the. plan was for a sixteen foot roadway bridge. There was no scale upon the plan. I said the timbers wero not close even for a 12ft. roadway bridge. [This is the width of all new bridges of short span hi the "Wiiikato.] The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted, I felt should apply m this instance, and made an appointment to meet Mr Leslie next day, at whicli meeting Mr Leslie agreed with me to get a new plan, tlie cost not to exceed one guinea, 10s 6d to he paid by each Board, and, as Mr Reed was building m Cambridge, I promised to call, and let him see the new plan, but Mr Reed was not working there at the time, so I sent the plau straight to Mr Leslie, with a letter from me, agreeing (on behalf of the Cambridge Board) that the erection, according to the new plan of a 12ft. roadway bridge, proceed at once, at the cost of uot exceeding £95, and, in^igreeiy^to this, I knew a 12ft. roadway bridgeojKrtdd. take ueariy one-fifth less timber and earthworks than a 16ft. roadway bridge. As for specifications to new plan, none were mentioned or expected for the guinea. Every piece of timber, and how put. together, is shown, and m all other respects I was willing to accept Mr Reed's specification. "When next Mr Leslie brings forward his grievance, let him also bringforward the Tamahere plan. Then, practical men who see it will say I Avas right to insist upon the alterations. Mr Leslie says he won't steal a march — an excellent imitation though, to propose that the Council pay 'I amahere £60, to be debited to Cambridge Riding as one-third or half the cost of a bridge wliich liis engineer has estimated at £80 and tendered for sit £95. 'Die only wish of the Cambridge Board is that a good aud substantial bridge be erected to the credit of the district aud all concerned, and that beforo the winter sets m. On looking over MiLeslie's dates, I find they are all from one to threo days after the Cambridge meetings (monthly), consequently would have to stand over until the following meeting. — I am, etc ,J. Fobbest. Cambridge, April 25, 1878.