Shannon Bridge Commission.

Manawatu Herald, 16 October 1902, Page 3

Shannon Bridge Commission.

This morning Mr W. S. Shortt commenced the Commission at the Borough Council Chambers. Mr Innes appeared for the Borough C#tcU. Mr J. G. Wilson for the Manawatu County Council. Mr John Davies for the Horowhenua County Council. Mr Davies explained why the Horowhenua County asked for one third from the other bodies, for when Foxton applied to Horowhenua and Manawatu for one third towards the cost of the Wirokino bridge it was then said that the Manawatu County was not adjacent to the bridge. (Mr Innes said this was not under a commission but under a mutual arrangement.) The Horowhenua County met the Manawatu County and fought the matter out on its merits. _ As to the Shannon bridge the position was reversed. It touches the Horowhenua County and the Manawatu County but not the borough at all. He would show the proposed bridge at Shannon was -just as much benefit to the borough as to any other portion of the district. The landowners and ratepayers of the borough would be benefited more by the Shannon bridge than the Horowhenua County and that was why he thought they should pay one third. It was never intended to ask the Manawatu County to pay more than one third. He called ratepayers of Foxton to prove the advantage of the bridge to them. 0. B. Caverhill, sworn, said that he represented the Motoa estate. The area in Foxton Borough is 800 acres of land. The size of the estate is 8,600 acres. Large supplies of flax are obtained from the Motoa estate and goes to Foxton. The borough gets a lot of revenue from the estate. He considered a bridge would be a greater benefit to cross than ferry. He thought a lot of visitors would com* over it. The eatats used the ferry instead of the Wirokino bridge, as road was unsafe. He knew the road was boggy. He thought the bridge would give to the Motoa estate greater facilities than it enjoyed day. He thought one-third was a large proportion to ask Foxton for. He believed one-sixth of thehalf-oost would be fair. The largest proportion should fall on the Horowhenua, for when the Wirokino bridge was put up .the whole of the Horowhenua did not contribute to the cost. It way have been the reason that the Wirokino bridge did not suit the whole of the bounty, and that was why the whole County did not eon* tribute. At the present time people on Foxton aide of the river used the ferry most. Was not prepared to alter his opinion that one-sixth should b* the proportion of the borough. Thr bridge would improve the value of the Motoa estate. It might put five shillings an aore increased value on the estate. Be did not think that the Borough would be repaid by the expenditure on the bridge. By Mr Innes—Was instructed to consent to erection of Shannon Bridge. The Motoa Estate pays about £23 a year in rates to the Borough. Part of the land would b* about 200 acres of fescue. One

portion of the estate was only one mile from the Wirokino Bridge, and the other part in the borough, six miles distant. There is no coach running to Levin, but there was formerly. The traffic to Shannon from Foxton is principally those who went to Wellington, and they could go in less distance to Kereru. The question o! selling flax from the estate has no bearing on the Shannon Bridge. The only advantage the Foxton p eople would get would be some visitors for the beach, and some fat stock from Foxton to the Shannon railway. The nearest point of the borough is some 6 or 7 miles distant from the bridge site. Between the boundary of Foxton and proposed site is Moutoa. They are mostly dairy farmers, and bring their milk into the borough. The construction of the bridge would cause part of this traffic to be diverted from Foxton. Thought the two counties would be equally benefited. He considered it was quite unfair to rate only separate ridings for tlm bridge in either county. John H. M. Cole swore that his passengers were principally interested in Foxton. Believe the midge would be of service to the Foxton Borough. The bridge would benefit Foxton most. They would save considerably by the erection of it. It would be cheaper for Foxton people to have the bridge and pay £27 in rates. Could not say if the bridge would increase the value of town property in Foxton. Formerly coach ran to Levin. Pigs are sent from Foxton to Shannon. Thera is a good bit of stock cresses the ferry, could not say if from the borough. The bridge would induce people to go from Shannon to the sea beach.

By Mr Innes Been driver 11 months. Previously In Shannon 2i years. As driver preferred the bridge. There is no coach at present to Kereru or Levin. Road is better to Shannon. People from Shannon might drive over to Foxton. Shannon storekeepers get goods by steamer and cart across. John R. Stanseli swore that ho had various occupations. He was a flaxmiller. luiireetly interested in Foxton property. A bridge at Shannon would be of equal value to other places. At the present time the ferry is let at £45, and thus the £27 a year would be a mere fleabite to Foxton. The bulk of the traffic crossing ferry comes from Foxton and serves the interest ot the people of Foxton. The bridge would increase the facilities. The change in mail contract was mostly done in the interests of the Moutoa people. The bridge would bring in extra freight to Foxton. He thought the bridge would help to increase the value of properties in Foxton.

By Commissioner—Thought the proportion of one-third each to all the oodles was fair. By Mi Innes—Thought the bridge would increase the value of town sections in Shannon. When Wirokino bridge was proposed recommended to obtain an » engineer to inspect sites. He reported in favour of Wirokino Know the proposed site. The* road would have to be diverted on the north bank, through private property to the proposed bridge. During time he was running to Levin another coach began to run to Shannon. It affected trade. Alexander Saunders, of Moutoa, far* mer, said he had lived at Moutoa for 26 years. Think the site of the bridge is not objectionable. Have arranged to expend up to £BOO to place a flaxmill on the banks of the river. Think the bridge will be of a decided advantage to the borough. Good opportunity to observe the coach traffic, and to its benefit to Foxton. Think the Foxton Borough Council should pay one-third of cost. Mr Hennessy, at former conference, was the only one member of the Foxton Bordcgh who was against the proposal for Foxton Borough to provide a share of the cost. Paid rates for Wirokino Bridge to Manawatu County. Asked the borough for assistance to our bridge. Bridge would give extra facilities to Foxton. Things could be taken from Foxton cheaper by having a bridge. People take coach to Shannon to save ferry, and Foxton people would benefit by driving their traps. Have met stockowners taking stock to Shannon. Had no doubt abouj the suitability of the site for the bridge. It would pay Foxton well to p«y £27 a year. [Continuation of report will appear in our next issue.]