THE COUNTY VOTE FOR THE KARAPIRO BRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1574, 5 August 1882, Page 3

THE COUNTY VOTE FOR THE KARAPIRO BRIDGE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — Mr Wells, in your last i&sue, re Karapiro bridge, has no doubt stated the truth regarding the ariangement made by himself with the county council ; but has he spoken the whole truth, or only such portion as suited his .side of the question ? Was it not upon the assurance of Mr "Wells that the said Kai'cipiio bridge was to cost not more than £4,10 that the county council agreed to pledge their credit to assist in the meantime to provide funds to build the bridge. It h stated that it was so, and that the county council were not informed of any Government aid coming forward. All they knew — and accoiiliugly voted for— was of ( a bridge to cost £450. Consequently, when the geneial government paid to the bridge fund a sum of £400 sterling, it only left a balance of £50 to be made up by the seveial ridings interested ; and as every independant witness who knows anything of Cambridge will admit that the Karapiro biidge benefits almost entirely the town of Cambridge East and the di&tricte to southward thereof, they Avill agiee with the settlers of the districts north of Cambridge that they are not indebted to that bridge beyond a nominal amount of the £30 remaining between the donation of the general government and the estimated cost of the bridge upon which the members of the council were induced to vote their credit. No doubt Mr Wells considers it his province to get all he can, while he can, for Cambridge East, but it is questionable policy for the town riding of Cambridge to take advantage of their position to practically disfranchise the outlying ridings. At the present, Cambridge town holds two seats in the council, and can therefore vote for their noble selves what they think fit. Whereas, if Taotaoroa, Cambridge, Tamahere and Hautapu each held a seat, I believe it would allay the rising feeling of discontent, and would eventually be more beneficial to Cambridge itself than a continuance by them of an overreaching policy. No doubt (Jr. Primrose's motion will commend itself to the settlers who feel agrieved. — I am, &c., Echo. Hautapu, July 31st, ISS2.