Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, AUG. 21, 1900. The Eketahuna Route.

Manawatu Herald, 21 August 1900, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, AUG. 21, 1900. The Eketahuna Route.

We are glad to notice by the reports in our contemporaries that efforts are still being put forth to get a road surveyed from Shannon to the Wairarapa, as we suggested som « years ago. Mr Field, M H.R. foiOtaki, is in hopes of the Government surveying every possible route in order to find the best and the easiest grade. This is one of the public matters the Borough Council should take an interest in, and assist our Shannon neighbours to secure this road. We have noticed that the Levin people would like to divert the crossing to their township but this would only add length and a wrong direction to the road. The opening of a -road across the ranges would benefit both Shannon and Foxton and would secure the erection of a bridge over the Manawatu near the present ferry. We would advise the Council to inquire into what is being done, and seek in what manner they can best assist. We are so splendidly situated here as a port, with great possibilities before us, if the land in our immediate neighbourhood is only opened up, and roads, bridges, and settlement are what we need and should be constantly working for. We suppose the Councillors have been aware that a petition was signed in Foxton urging the Government to acquire the Oroua Downs Estate for closer settlement, but so far as any action taken as a public body they can only be credited with not having been cognisant of the movement. We understand the Government are working on broader lines and are inquiring as to the cost of obtaining all the land on the north side of the railway line between the Oroua Bridge and Carnarvon. We think that if the matter was taken up the Government might be induced to j purchase tbo Himatangi block as well, tii© advantage of their go doing

must be manifest to every resident in tbe district. The Messrs Strang have offered the Government their property, so that if our local representatives would bestir themselves to take a larger view of their duties, we might have a c ose settlement in our immediate neighbourhood. We suggest that the matter should be discussed, and a resolution passed which could be forwarded to the Government, which would strengthen their hands in taking action.