The Shannon-Eketahuna Road.

Manawatu Herald, 3 October 1895, Page 2

The Shannon-Eketahuna Road.

The much-talked-about road across the ranges, to connect the East and West Coasts, is likely, after all, to come to something, and judgNW from the feeling of a represeattfwe meeting of ratepayers, held in t|e Shannon Schoolhouse last Thursday evening, it will not be long before a road will run through from Shannon to Newman or Eketahuna.

Mr Carkeek, who knows the ground well, and who has been over the proposed route, addressed the meet* ing. He estimated that the cost would be about £80 or £90 per mile, including survey. Several other speakers pointed out the various advantages that would be obtained f »r both coasts, and the great benefit i hat would accrue to breeders and buyers of cattle all over, the ;W«fr Hngton district. . *1 Mr James Wallace, who occupied the chair, spoke very hopefully s of the road, and considered it the duty. of settlers on both sides of the ranges to do their utmoet to obtain it. . .

Mr Carkeek was of opinion that a good portion of the land adjoining the road would be suitable for summer grasses, and did not con^ sider that the grades to be enV countered would prove to be any difficulty. The present track made by the Manawatu Railway Company, up the Tokoraaru Valley, had gone a height for which there was no necessity, and the direction ho would propose taking would not be nearly so difficult for traffic. He had no very great confidence in the Survey Department, as the surveys made of this coast was full of errors. Ife won'd be of no use for the Department to send ont some inexperienced cadet to look over the country and then say the road was impossible, or would cost some large amount. About £1200 should be enough to do all tlis work r< quired. The proposed route from Shannon was the natural one. The formation and the lay : ofj the einnt'-y showed it. To adopts the Otaki South "Wairarapa XOS& 1 would be wrong. It would be neces* sary to g ) soma 8000 feet or niore higher than the Shannon route. The road would link together two of the riche?t grazing districts in the

colony. After seme further discussion the following resolutions were carried unanimously : — ' „ „ 1. That a deputation wait Upon ' the Minister for Lands to request him to put a sum of money upon the Estimates for the survey and con-' l struction of a bridle track, which could ultimately be improved an 3be used as a coach-road, between the Shannon Levin district and the Forty-mile Bush settlements. v - : 2. That the deputation consist of Messrs J- Wallace, sen., A. Carkeek, and W. C. Nation, and tb^t tjj|fl nj^ the members of the Hfruse ror"flffl^ districts interested to join them in representing the matter to t^eJ^iaister for Land 3. ••■ f .-'- T v

It is expected that the deputation will come to Wellington soine time this week, and, with Messrs Hogg aiidf? "Wilson, M.H.E.'s, will interview the Minister.