JOINING ROAD SYSTEMS

Taranaki Daily News, 27 February 1931, Page 9

JOINING ROAD SYSTEMS

TARANAKI AND MAIN TRUNK

SUGGESTION FROM MANGAPURUA.

BUSINESS MEN’S SUPPORT SOUGHT

The possible connecting of the Mam Trunk and Taranaki reading systems by a road from the Mangapurua Valley Road joining with the road. f ronl Whangamomona at Spo.oner’s bridge on the Whangamomona River, was brought before the council of the . Taranaki Chamber of Commerce last night. The Mangapurua reading committee wrote asking the chamber’s support in having an engineering survey made, and the council decided to refer the matter to its reading committee for consideration. The connection of the two systems had the unanimous support of the settlers in the district, wrote Mr.. F. Bettzeirian, chairman of the rbading committee. The proposal was brought in sight_by the completion of the formation of the Mangapurua’ Valley Road. The committee was of the opinion that the best route and the one which could be most speedily and cheaply completed was by connecting up the Mangapurua Valley Road where it touched the left bank of the Wanganui River at the Mangapurua‘Landing, with the read from Whangamomona which came to Spooner’s bridge on the Whangamomona. River. . ...

The Mangapurua landing was about 45 miles from Raetihi through the Raetihi Valley, and about 20 miles of this were up to highway .standard and metal- \ led. From Whangamomona the road ■ ‘ was formed for about 14 miles, ten of which were metalled. The gap to be completed .on the route proposed was six miles on that side of the Wanganui River crossing the river at an excellent bridge site at the narrowest part on the whole length of the river, and then connecting with the present toad at Spooner’s bridge (about seven miles), a total of 13 miles of road and one bridge.

The committee thought the road could be made at a cost much below the average cost per mile for reading the River country. They, asked' if the chamber were interested in the proposal, and if it would support a request to the Minister of Public Works to have an engineering survey made;and"an estimate of the cost prepared; Members considered a road would not be of .great assistance to Taranaki, though it would assist those in the district. The time was not opportune to push for the road at present. Mr. W. D. Armit considered an engineering survey would be of advantage.