Shannon Bridge Commission.

Manawatu Herald, 18 October 1902, Page 2

Shannon Bridge Commission.

(Continued.)

On Thursday morning Mr W. S. Shortt commenced the Commission at the Borough Council Chambers. Mr lanes appeared for the Borough Council. Mr J. G. Wilson for the Manawatu County Council.

Mr John Davies for the Horov,’henna County Council.

Mr Saunders was cross-examine 1 by Mr Innas—\nxious to have thD bridge, the road would bo diverted through his land. Asked £25 an acre for the land. Am about to build a flaxmiil. The clre : sed fibre may go by boat or to Shannon. The last flood has had practically no effect on willows planted. Most of the farmers at Moutoa milk and supply creamery. Will take milk when

bridge is erected to tbe nearest creamery, to Bhtliiuon, The resolution read, of the Borough Council, is correct. This resolution was not passed on the assumption that the road over the ranges was to be made. Frederick 0 Carter, sworn, said he knew proposed site. Saw no objection to it. Do not think it has shifted at all during the last 10 years, ■ bought the site a very suitable one. The borough would gain by easier and Cheaper facilities for travelling. Did not think Shannon would reap greater benefit than Foxton by the bridge. The port makes things cheaper in Foxton. Was a member of a deputation that waited on the Borough Council. They ail agreed that a bridge was necessary and would pay pro rata with other governing bodies. Believed bridge would enhance values in the borough, * By Mr Innes—-His land was on the banks of the river, a mile and a half from the proposed bridge, Had a butchery business in Shannon. Very likely start dairying again. If both prices were equal might come to Foxton. The Manawatu County would derive equal benefit with the Horowhenua County and the borough. Properties in Shannon would not increase as they would in Foxton. Understood that the Borough would pay a fair share in accordance with their values. River does harm above bridge site. When the coach ran to Levin passengers want by it. By Mr Davies—Foxton might benefit from sawmillers sending timber.

Walter Barber, sworn, said ho bebelieved Shannon bridge would be of benefit for stock purposes to those who live in Foxton and adjacent. Thought Foxton should pay a portion of the cost.

By Mr Innes—Not a ratepayer in Foxton, but wife is. Generally sent stock to Hiraatangi station and by Shannon ferry. Have never used Levin for stock. Part of property might be 6 miles from ferry. J. M. O’Connor, sworn, said he was well acquainted with proposed site. Known it for 9 years. Believed best site that could be chosen. Thought bridge would be decidedly of benefit to Foxton—because it gave the public greater facilties to get to Foxton. He knew scores of people who would come into Foxton, Thought all contributing bodies would reap a benefit. Considered the Tokoraarn Riding would get less benefit than Foxton. Considered the borough and Manawatu County would receive the most benefit. Considerable quantities of pork and produce came to Shannon from the v r-xtoa side of the river, but he could not say where it came from Believed there would be lots of drays on roads bringing firewood and timber to Foxton.

By Mr Innes—Thought one-third -was a fair proportion for Horowhenua. Have not got any goods through Foxton. Would do so if bridge was up. Water service avid break would be cheaper than train service.

Mi’ O’Connor raid ha was one who waitacl on the Borough Council and all were agreeable to it except Mr Hermessy. M. Moynihan, sworn, said he had bad resided in Shannon years, •{new proposed site and saw nothing •against it. Thought the bridge would bo a benefit to Poston. Majority of people travelling by coach are residents of Foxton. It would cheapen cost of people travelling to view Foxton. Believed it would be an equal division of benefit to Foxton and Shannon.

By Mr Innes —Knew the site has not been altered fo” some years. Can hnv cheaner in Foxton than you can in Shannon.

John Hillary, sworn, said he knew proposed site of bridge. A bridge would give advantages not now enjoyed Been ferrying since 1868. By Commissioner—Thera is very little traffic to Shannon except by coacb. Think Foxton people pay more than £SO in ferry charges. By Mr lanes—Kept no accounts. When last ferryman at Shannon the Wirnkino bridge was erected. The traffic at Shannon fell off slightly. If the road was good it would be the mam road. The site is at present right, but the banks are breaking

nway above it and it will only be a matter of time when the river will cat the site away. At Hopkirk’s mill, the present ferry, an artesian well was sank about two chains from the bank and the pipe is now in the river. It is about 8 or 10 chains above the site.

On resuming after lunch the evidence was resumed.

Henry Barber swore that in bis opinion the Manawatii County would benefit very little by the Shannon bridge. He would personally receive no benefit. He could not see why the Manawat u County should pay any part of the costs. Everyone in bis district would use the Hiraatangi. The advantages of the bridge to Foxton were so obvious as not to need narrating. It would not pay to send stock to Shannon for shipment.

E. S. Thynne swore he had been chairman of public meeting in Shannon a year ago, about the bridge. It was always understood that bridge and road over the ranges worked together. What was the good of a bridge that led to nowhere? If

there was a roadf over ranges consider bridge would W * great importance to Foxton. John Davies swore that as owner of a lot of property in the town of Foxton. ho considered the proposed bridge would be of considerable use and service to its inhabitants. Recognised road*? and bridges were a general benefit to the community. He would willingly bear his burden of the taxation. Was heartily in favour of Foxton paying its share in the bridge.

By Mr F. W r . Venn. Do not own any land in the Horowhenua district which will be rated for this bridge. All ins liability for the bridge would be in Foxton,

By Mr Innea.—All rates paid are about £3 a year by me. Roughly stating my tenants pay £7 a year. It is not proposed to rate tbe district he lived in for the bridge. His Board considered under the Act they were entitled to rate a portion of a district for the bridge. Valustion of properties have risen in Foxton last few years. Did not intend to ask contributing bodies to pay for the

cost of road. Tins closed the case for the Horowhenua County Council. Mr limes then called George Nye who swore he had lived 5b years iu Foxton. Knew the site of the proposed bridge 54 years ago. Before the Wirobino bridge was erected other sites were proposed and one was near the site of the present proposed bridge. The site is not a good one the bank has been scouring away ever since he knew ifc. He doubted if there was any safe site below the ferry. He would always consider the bridge wo .Id be washed away on the north bank. The Wirokino bridge is the proper outlet from Foxton to Wellington. If the bridge was built and road over ranges were made, it would be a great benefit, without the road over the ranges the bridge would be of little benefit. By Mr Davies.— Thought the bridge might be an inducement to the making of a road over the ranges. Alfred Fraser swore the rental value of Foxton was £8,500, General rates were £554. Capital value £94,000. Population 1212. Value of properties have gone up the last few years. Flax Was chiefly answerable for it. Did not think the Wirokino bridge increased the values at all, as properties alongside carried same value as prior to its erection. It was tbe fault of tJiW Horowhen a people in not metalling the road to Levin, which they promised to do when the bridge was to be built, but had not done so, that prevented that route being used as it would have been. At the Borough meeting when deputaiion waited on Council the Councillors were willing to contribute about one-eighth. The road over the ranges was one of the chief inducements held out to Borough to help in construction of the bridge. Before erection of Wirokino bridge the Government sent a report on the most suitable position. Declared in favour of Wirokino and raemtioned the Shannon ferry i.e. the site, is opened to risk of river changing its course-. By Mr Davies. —The question of rateable value never cropped up when the Wirokino bridge was talked of.

A. Speii-3 swore he got his timber from Dannevirke. No timber came from Shannon, but some went to Moutoa, Campbell’s mill had been shut up for want of timber. They cannot supply red pine, hia work at Linton was unfinished waiting for this timber. Can get timber delivered in Foxton from Dannerirko as cheap as he could buy it at Shannon. No business that he was aware of was done between Foxton and Shannon. There were about 7 dairy farms in Foxton, who did not export much. Mr Speirs desired to say that the deputation secured a meeting of the Borough- Council, which had had no meeting prior to receiving deputation, but the Councillors said they were prepared to give a third of the total income of each local body. Edmund Osborne swore he had lived in Foxton 27 yaars. He thought one-third was out of all proportion. By Commissioner.-—lt would be beneficial to say £25 a year by paying £27 a year but we should be paying very dearly for our saving. (To be concluded in our next issue.)