BRIDGING THE WAIMATA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3232, 31 May 1911, Page 4

BRIDGING THE WAIMATA.

IS A SWING ESSENTIAL?

HARBOR BOARD SAYS YES

The question of the right of masters of vessels to demand nght-ot-wav up anv tidal river came up at the meeting of the f Bo rough Council lastThe discussion cropped up on r of a letter from the secretary of the Gisborne Harbor Board, who wrote stating that the Board: could not approve of the plans for the erection or a bridge over the Waimata nver unless there was provision for a swing. , Cr Collins pointed out . that the Marine Department had gir<?n permission for the erection of the bridge without a swing. The Harbor Beam said that this was a. tidal river and it was necessary to have a swing, they c-ould not put up a bridge without .a string if the Board would not give their sanction. . , ~ , Cr. Darton pointed out .that the Matawhero bridge did not swing, and yet itwent over a tidal river. He thought that it would be better to have a bridge without a swing. They would er get a proper bridge with a swing except at a tremendous cost. He would like to see steps taken to get the Harbor Board to waive their right. Cr. Brown said that he had given the matter a great deal of attention. He was quite satisfied in Ids own mind that the Waimata river was a navigable river within the meaning of the Act. Who. lie asked, was to say that in tae future there would not be factories onthe Waimata. river, the products, of which would be handled by shipping? If the Council had power to erect a bridge over the Waimata river, they had equal right to erect a bridge over the channel and prevent shipping entering the port. Any master of a vessel had power to demand entrance to any navigable river, and could demand at any time that any obstruction such as a bridge should be removed. Hie Waimata River was undoubtedly a navigable river, and it would be necessary to pass special legislation closing the river before they could erect" over it a bridge which did not contain a swing. Ci’. Pet-tie thought that if there was a legal difficulty the matter should be referred to the Borough solicitors. They would all agree that if they could possibly avoid a swing it would' be better to do it.

Cr. Wade said he thought that there would: be no necessity for tlie bridge to swing. Tlie Waimata was not a navigable river, and no one would attempt to take a ship up there. Cr. Collins said that Cr. Brown and himself would never have allowed this matter to be referred back to the Council if there was a possibility of getting it erected without a swing. If they referred this matter to the solicitors with the letter from the 'Department, they would tell the Council to erect- it. Before they could get permission to erect a bridge without a swing they would have to have legislation to close the traffic on. the river. If a bridge was put upwithout a swing and anybody wanted to take a scow up the river they could demand that the bridge be opened. They would have no final adjudication till the Harbor Board passed the plans. Cr. Pettie suggested that they should: refer the matter to the solicitors, and if they recommended the plans bo referred back to the Harbor 'Board for their approval with a view to conferring with the. Marine Department for final adjudication. .He moved to that, effect, and the motion was carried.