SHANNON NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 248, 13 July 1908, Page 8

SHANNON NEWS.

PUBLIC MEETING. ■■'[from ode special correspondent.] . Tliero was a representative gathering' at the publio'nieeting in the Druids' Hall on Friclay'riight. The meeting was primarily called by Messrs. O'Connor andßawle to deal with the'matter of'the recreation; groimd and.town reserve, but those present took advantage of the opportunity, to .discuss other matters of local interest. ' ...Mr, O'Connor,. J-.P.,/ was .elected to. the chair, andi as one:,of the trustees of the town reserve, explained that the meeting had been convened to' considers by • what way's - and means money Could be raised to continue,the necessary, .improvements to tho grounds. After considerable discussion, it was resolved that a committee be appointed'to co-operate with- the trustees in raising funds for improving. the reserve, ; and formulating a scheme: for the necessary .drainage, of tho ground. ..•••. . ■ . ■ WMr. Law submitted a system of drainage, a'nd the following committee was appointed: —Messrs. Law, Carter, - O'Conriell, Adams, and-Slay.. ;- . / '' . „ ■• '.The Xevin Dramatic Club and .the Brass, I Band',"represented by Mr..Murray, offered to give: ; a sketch and a social respectively in aid of-the .funds, and theso offers wero thank-, fullv-accented.-., Mr., M. Moynihan brought up the question of the road connecting Eketahuna and Slian'non. Some years back there was a strong agitation, to have a' road between the two towns constructed,-'and , a surveyor deputed bv the' Government went over tho proposed 'route,', and'reported ,very favourably on it. Messrs. J. Stevens arid A. W. Hogg, M ; P.'s, were instrumental in having a Sum placed on the Estimates for the work, as the Government recognised that a link con-, nectingthe'two coasts would be of consider!able importance by giving facilities for inter-' changing stock.' Mr. Moynihan;. mentioned that the question had been revived by the Eketahuna Chamber of' Commerce,; and pointed out tho great saving .in railway freight- for' stock, if the road was formed, this being especially the case now that the Shannon-Foxton Bridge was completed, as stock could-be taken on by road, to Foxton for. shipment. : - The' proposed road , would come out probably at the foot of the lokomaru Valley. . ' Mr. Moynihan volunteered to interview Messrs.- Stevens, Field, and Dr. Chappie, 'M:P.'s, at the beginning of the week in connection with this matter, and at the'same time lie proposed that tho co-opera-tion of the Eketahuna Chamber of Commerce and- the Foxton. Chamber of Commerce be

;invited.- . . ~r A , Mr Carter proposed,-.and Mr. Adams-se-conded, -that Mr. -Moynihan's offer be accepted, and this motion was carried unani™The'm6tioii that the Chairman of the Eketahuna'.Chamber of Commerce be.invited.to the forthcoming opening of the bridge, was also adopted. '■ ... ' , '. , ' Mr.' Moynihan also referred to the proposed diversion of the present road from Shannon to the-bridge,'and Mr. Stephenson, County 'Councillbr, in reply, stated that the Horowhenua County Council had applied for the sura of £500 to be placed ,on the Estimates for tho work. The action of tho Council was heartily supported. _ . - , Mr.' Law called attention to the encroacliriierit of the river, above the bridge. Within his'knowledge seven chains of land had been eaten away, and unless something was done, tlie Shannon end of the bridge would. . be •:/Mr. Stephenson agreed that the matter was very serious arid said he would get, Mr. . Fulton, the engineer, to look into the matter, : wheri he- was making his official survey of the bridgo. Strong condemnation was expressed of : the'°sfcheme in connection with the River Board' Royal Commission recently set up.