Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, NOV. 26, 1892. Candidates and Roads.

Manawatu Herald, 26 November 1892, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, NOV. 26, 1892. Candidates and Roads.

We are pleased to notice how much the members of our local bodies have admitted the importance of communication between the. port and the inland districts. To the member of the Awahou Riding .of the Manawatu County Council the settlers are indebted for bringing the matter so prominently before his Council and for inducing the Chairman to represent to the Chairman of the Horowhenna County Council, and the Wivokino Road Board the urgent necessity of doing something to the road leading from Shannon to the ferry. The action of the Manawatu Council has not been merely advisatory, but, as will haVe been seen from the report of its last meeting, energetic steps have been taken to put its own road in order on this side of the river, and a contract let for metalling three quarters of a mile. Something like this expenditure on the Shannon side would make that piece of road very good. We notice that in response to the representations made by the Manawatu Council the Wivokino Road Board has instructed its chairman to convene a public meeting at Shannon to discuss the raising of a loan to put the road in good order and repair. The Shannon settlers will be very much to blame if they fail to take the fullest advantage of the proposals. The Horowhenua Council has very fairly placed at the command of the Road Board the half profits deriveable from the Shannon ferry, which income will in a very short time prove amply sufficient to pay all interest on any loan needed to put that short piece of road in a splendid state.. . The settlers by temporarily assuming a little responsibility would secure a first class road to their properties and a good outlet drain, besides securing more traffic over the ferry, which would thus be de^rea-ing the drain upon the funds of the Board and releasing them from the liability of the special rate, which must by law be imposed, but need not be collected. It seems to be such a very simple process to secure what is needed, with the minimum of risk and co-it, as the act of doing the work brings in its own reward by increased tills. We trust whatever may have ben the reasons for not previously agreeing to a loan will now be put asid9 and a unanimous combination for che good for the many, effected. Thus far have we got in our efforts, but »it our very doors we are blocked by the want of a broad view on the part of the candidates for the Mayoralty. Evidence is before them that all the local bodies surrounding the Borough are in accord with the views that we have expressed, but by not one single word have the j candidates expressed their adhesion' \to the importance of this through communication. We own that we think a loan most advisable to metal certain roads, and this leading one above all, but if the candidates do not think so, or fear to breach f-uih a subject they could at least make some sign that they would at any rate bend the whole available spare funds towards this purpose, instead of frittering it about on bits here and there. When the public - have, got the •• hang " of this question clearly before them we are not in the least afraid but that they will endorse our views. The facts are patent that when the County has the threequarters of a mile of road metalled at the ferry, then this road may be termed a very good one from the ferry to a mile the Borough's side of Elkins' corner. From there to the Borough boundary about one halfmile is very heivy. but we have little doubt that if the Borough would do their very best to extend the metalling towards their boundary the Councillor for the Riding, Mr Wilson, would get this half mile covered with clay. In the proposed estimate ot expenditure for this year, the Borough has a sum hv metalling a further short distance on the Motoa road, and some on the Avenue. Without suggesting anything that is untair we hold that if the Borough will not go in for a loan, the sum set apart for the Avenue, should, this year be diverted to the Motoa road. A good road to Shannon would mean very much increased trade to I both districts. The coach proprietor would very probably see it to his

interest to run to Shannon instead of to Kereru, as th; Shannon route would mean passing through a More populous district " which means passongors and freight. As the road oil either side of tho river is nov.\ of course he could hot look at it, ikiu with energetic action on the pait of the Borough, and the settlers on the Shannon road, this would soon be a difficulty got over. We think both candidates should notify their opinions on this public matter-, so that they- may receive tlie support, or otherwise, of those interested in it.