UPOKONGARO PUNT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 216, 13 September 1932, Page 6

UPOKONGARO PUNT

RESTORATION FAVOURED COUNTY COUNCIL VIEWS Asking that the punt on the Wanganui River at Upokongaro should be reinstated, Messrs A. O. Cave and C. Wilson, representing settlers on the Aramoho side of the river, waited on the Waitotara County Council yesterday. After some discussion it was decided that Messrs W. Morrison ami II G. Birch should represent the council on a Ferry Committee composed of members of the Waitotara and M anganui County Councils. The council passed a recommendation that the ferry should he reinstated, but on the suggestion of the chairman, did not tie the committee down to any definite action but gave them a free hand to deal with any fresh development which might arise. Air Cave said that settlers had been concerned about a statement th;? had appeared in the Press, saying that the punt might not be restored after being swept by the recent flood. The punt was used by settlers on their side of the river in shifting stock across, and they also used the punt in taking horses to the other side of the river to have them shod. He understood that the work of shifting the stock was worth 10s a week to the ferryman. Air AVilson: Are you thinking of closing the punt? The chairman (Air W. Morrison): AVo thought of it some six months ago, but we have made the new agreement now. 1 understand it would take £5O to repair the punt. Air Jones: Once tho punt went il would be tho*thin edge of the wedge to cut out the whole lot. There are. about 17 children who use the boat to cross the river to school. Air Cave: I attended a farmers’ meeting on the Afakirikiri side; they were strongly of the opinion that the punt should be put back.

Air ATorrison: The Ferry Committee should be mee-ing soon, and the representatives would report, back to the councils. Then we will get something concrete. As far as I can see the members of this council arc of the opinion that the punt should be put back. The deputation then withdrew. After a short discussion the conn cil made its decision. Air Dix said the stay-wires had rotted through and the cable sagged into tho water. Although efforts had been made to rectify the damage the cable could not be lifted from the water, and logs had come down the river, caught in the cable, and completed the damage.