THE SHANNON BRIDGE.

Shannon News, 17 November 1925, Page 3

THE SHANNON BRIDGE.

| « ! SURVEY QF NEW SITE COMMENCED I ____ AGREEMENT of LOCAL BODIES. Reporting to the meeting of the Horowhenua County Council on Saturday, the Engineer said the Public Works Department have made a start Avith tlie survey of the proposed bridge site on the. Manawatu River at Shannon and the roads leading to it. The Manawatu County Council wrote agreeing to the following apportionment of the cost: Hqroiwhenua County, five-twelfths; Manawatu County, five-twelfths; Foxton Borough, onetwelftli; Shannon Borough, onetwelfth. If the amount payable by tbe Foxton and Shannon Boroughs is more than £BSO the two Counties Avould be responsible for such surj plus. The Foxton Borough Council forwarded the following resolution: \“Tliat haying heard Cr. Monk, chairman of the Horowhenua. county Council, the Foxton Borough Council hereby agrees to contribute the sum of £BSO towards the cost of a new. Shannon bridge on the iicav site, subject tq the following conditions: (1) That such sum shall be the fiiaximun* In the event of the bridge costing less than the £24,000 estimated, such contribution shall be proportionately reduced; (2) That one-sixth Of ■ the value of the present 'bridge be credited to Foxton Borough; The foregoing offer to be conditional _on the Foxton-Sliannon Road being retained as a main bigliAvay.” .. The Shannon Borough Council also agreed to contribute the sum of £BSO for the same purpose subject to the same conditions as outlined by the Foxton Borough Council. The chairman of the No. ■ 9 District Council of the Main Highways Board advised that the Board liad decided to authorise sufficient fujids to enable a survey 'to be put in hand, so as to ascertain the best routes for the approach roads tq the proposed new bridge. The survey would be started, almost immediately.

The chairman said he Avas very pleased with the manner in which the local bodies had received . the scheme. The following motion was passed; “That in consideration of a contribution from the Main Highways Board on the scale provided under the •Mam Highways Amendment Act, i 925,” this Council agrees to contribute five-twelfths of the amount to be found by the local authorities in respect' tq the construction of tlie new Manawatu River Bridge on the basis of the total cost 'being £24,000., Also in the event of the one-twelfth contribution from the Shannon and Foxton Boroughs exceeding £BSO this; Council to share equally with the Manawatu County in providing the balance in excess.” •

COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE RUNT. Mr Barber said the attention of councillors had been culled to the closing up of the river at the punt and he Avondered Avhether it avus due tq. spoil being thrown in and not to silt. , The Engineer said it was quite alright on Wednesday, Avlien he was there. Cr. Barber said that- on several occasions the punt could not be reached. In one instance he had to return and go via Palmerston to his destination. Cr. Wliyte again called attention to the .need tor power qn the punt. He had received numerous complaints during the last week or so, and he did not think it a reasonable thing to ask a man to get people across by the aid of a Avindlass. On - election day from 60 to 70 people had crossed over in the punt, and on one occasion it had taken the man about 20 minutes to get over. The Engineer stated that the matter Avas in hand, but the trouble was one of procuring a friction Ayinch. He thought there was more fuss than Avas necessary over *the punt. Tlie Other day the man had taken two. and a-quarter minutes to) go over and four minutes t'o come back. He (the Engineer) and the chairman had been present at the time and there seem- ? ed .to be little difficulty in the process of getting across.