Correspondence.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1055, 29 March 1879, Page 2

Correspondence.

COar correspondence columns arc impartially open to all, but wo do not in my way vlentify ourselves with opinions expressed therein.)

THE PROPOSED WAIPA BRIDGE. S? l *) As the 4te of tho bridge proposed to be built; over the Waipa, in the neighbourhood of Te Rore, i« exciting considerable interest anions- the residents, and, as I hav<s had, something to do with the business hitherto, with your permis* sioii, I will explaiu the exact position of matters at present, in order that the various uufounded ruin mrs may be set at rest. In the first place, roughly estimated, the bridge is supposed to cost upwards of £2QOO, -\yherever it may be built. Tqwards this amount, the Pivongia District Board have in hand £IOSO, £SO is promised by the "VVaipa County Council, and £-500 by the Government, subject tq the site and plans being approved by their Engineer—£l6oo in all. There are two sites proposed, one a short distance above the present ferry, at Te Rore, and the other at Mr Rosborbusrh's farm., about a mile lower do\yu. Mr Stewart, District Engineer, lias inspected both sites, and has stated, in his option, on engineering grounds' the latter is the best and cheapest. A section of the river has been taken there by his assistant, Mr Hunter, and. a, sWtav, que will be taken at To Rore, so as to arrive at the relative cost of each. When the report reaches the Board, it will be for them to take what further steps may seem best. So far, the thing Las goU with reeard to tho rotative'advantages of the two sites. : I may say, at starting, I have no strong opinion on' any interest whatever on either side, and, as I have given tho subject a good deal'of consideration for wwo ycara, I hoi>e fa be

able to discuss it dispassionately. Taking the schoolhouse at Harapepe as th( most central point in the district, west oi the Waipa, which will be mainly accommodated by the bridge, for, whether it is local traffic or through from Whatawhats or Raglan, tho greater portion will always pass this point, and taking Ohaupo as the point where the road traffic would junction with tho railway, and where the principal cattle sales are located (two most important considerations), and the line if almost directly crossing the river at Mi Rosborough's, saving over two (2) miles in distance, and giving a dead level road, instead of the winding hilly one from Te Rore to Pateranfi. Part of this road, through Mr Hume's farm, is not opened yet, but it is all surveyed, with the exception of the piece from the proposed site to the main road, about thirty chains. By the same crossing to Alexandra will be nearly half-a-mile longer than by Te Rore, and has tho disadvantage of crossing the gully known as Campbell's. However, as this is on the main road from Alexandra to Ngaruawahia, it is to be presumed it will be improved in timeThese distances were ascertained by measurement on the map, by Mr Smith, Chief Surveyor, and Mr Stewart. Of course the same advantage, as regards Ohaupo, holds good for Hamilton and Cambridge, though in a lesser degree, as .some of the traffic for these places, from the "West Waipa, would go via Whatawhata. So far as regards Alexandra and Te Awamutu, the advantage is in favor of Te Rore, and in the opinion of some, ultimately the cattle sales will be removed from Ohaupo to Te Awamutu, making it the principal sale for Waipa, while Cambridge will be that for Waikato. In this opinion, I am inclined to agree, and should it be the case, it would be a strong argument in favor of Te Rori. It must also be remembered there is a Government reserve at Te Rori, most suitable for a township, and, if a bridge were built, mest likely it would be cut up into allotments, and a village spring up, where those using the building would get their supplies, without going further. Against these advantages, must be set the extra expense, not only of construction, but of maintenance involved in a bridge at Te Rori, over that of one at Mr Rosborough't-, while at the latter place, it must be remembered, there is about thirty chains of a road to be got through private property, though I do not anticipate there would bo any difficulty in getting that, if it was required. Ido not consider the question of vested right, which I understand has been raised in favor of Te Rori, as I hold the only vested right in the matter is, that of the public to have the bridge where it will be of the greatest advantage to the greatest number. It must also be rememebtred there is a bridge already at Alexandra, which, as it is in the township, in my opinion must be maintained, at any rate about the same site, and Te Rori is only some four or five miles, by the river, lower down, thus reducing the area to be bfinefited by the bridge, on the west side, t® about two miles at most, in the direction of Alexandra, and, as a matter of fact, by far the greater part of the traffic would have to pass the site at Mr Rosborough's, about thirty chains off, to get to Te Rori. Looking to the chance of the ultimate removal of the sale yards to Te Awamutu, in my opinion, the relative advantages about balance each other, and if there was an equal similitude in an engineering point of view I should be inclined to favor Te Rori. As it is, I think the question of cost must settle the matter. I, at any rate, would not feel justified in nrging either over the other. I have endeavoured to consider the matter as fairly and impartially as possible, though, of course, I ha v e only touched upon some of the points, but the more ventilation the question gets the better, and I am sure you, sir, will give space in your columns for that purpose. Trusting the importance, locally at least, of the subject will excuse the length of this letter.—l am, &c, Edwaed G-. MoMinn.