A RIVER PROBLEM

Taranaki Daily News, 17 August 1933, Page 5

A RIVER PROBLEM

MAINTENANCE OF PUNTS. DISCUSSION AT WAITOTARA. Wanganui, Aug. 15. A question that is giving concern to the Waitotara County Council is that of punts used by settlers on the Wanganui River. In isolated areas these punts are the only means of access, and ol carrying stock across the river to farms. In recent months floods have played havoc with the punts, a number having been washed away and damaged, and the question the council is now faced with is, who shall bear the expense of replacing them-the ridings concerned or the county as a whole. Opinion was divided when the council met yesterday Mr. W. Morrison, the chairman, Mr A R. Richardson, and Mr. J. Cameron were of the opinion that where farmers used a punt, and had then rates remitted to them,* the council should not be called upon to replace the punt or repair it. Mi. R. Farley and Mr L. T. Jones considered that the punts should be a charge on the county. After discussion, during which Mr. T. Dix the engineer, stated that the county could spend £BOO or £9OO in reinstating punts on the river, it was decided that the matter be held over.