Shannon Bridge Commission.

Manawatu Herald, 21 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 iho Horowbenua County Council. Hennassy sworn, said he had livgd close on 25 years in Foxton. There is no trade relation between Foxton and Shannon. . Think the bridge would take Moutoa trade to Shannon. The bridge would not affect the flax trade in Foxton. It was cheaper to go to Wellington via Longburn by some six shillings. The bad road over the Wirokino bridge alone prevented a coach running to Levin. The coach was mostly used by commercial travellers. The Borough would get no benefit from increased shipping, if there was any. The value of property in Foxton would not be increased one cent by the erection of the Shannon bridge. Before the Wirokino bridge was erected the tolls at Shannon ferry was 4100, and now the ferry was let at £45 a year. Foxton business people in order to have advantage of Levin coach service, paid a subsidy Mi 9i Hub m retail* tea fall

knowledge he knew pigs were on Tuesdays and Thursdays sent via

Longhorn and by steamer. The Shannon residents who have given evidence have visited Foxton very

seldom. By Mr Davies—Conometdlftls visit Foxton to suit themselves. The bridge would ba of no advantage to Foxton,

By Mr lanes—The copy of the resolution in reply to deputation was to show that the borough would pay in proportion to tho revenue. It wan given to be understood that the road over the ranges would follow on the bridge. Would not aay that the promise to pay pro rata depended on the road being made over the

ranges. B. G. Gower, sworn, said he had property part in borough and part in Manawatu County. He bought stock to fatten, sold locally and in Wellington. Sent stock to Wellington by rail from Foxton. The proposed bridge would depend on the Meat companies as to use. Thought most of traffic over ferry came from round about Moutoa. In the last twelve months had sent one lot of sheep and three small lots of cattle over the ferry. Do not think bridge would enhance value of Foxton property. ’ This was all the evidence submitted by Mr Innea. Mr J. Q, Wilson, for the Maaawatu County, called Francis Robinson, who, sworn, 1 said that the Shannon bridge would be of little use to Carnarvon settlers, ias all used Himatangi and Longbur a. By Commissioner —Considered only a small part of the Manawatu County wanted the bridge. W. Duncan, sworn, that he had! once used the Shannon ferry and did not think he would be likely to again. His market was i’almerstoo.

Henry Hammond, sworn, said that he was born at Waitohi, and owned land at Baiuasse. Never used the Shannon ferry. Natural outlet was Palmerston and Feilding.

F. Carter (recalled), swore that a punt is inconvenient and dangeroua to cross the river in. Ho and other* would rather pay rate for erection o£ bridge to paying tolls for ferry. The probable takings at the ferry would

bo more than £250 a year. By Mr limes—There would be a lot of cattle taken over the bridgehad brought a lot of cattle into the County over the ferry, Mr Wilson said he had no forth™ evidence to offer. Ha hoped they would not have to pay over one-

third. Mr Innes asked for -the capital value of the Mgnawatu County and Oorowhenua County, and it was fl-ivon, for the Manawftfcu County aa £1,087,438, and for the Tokoraaru Riding, £310,744. Fred. Purnell, sworn, said that once a mouth be visited Foxton. Had been to Shannon ferry. Knew of very few settlers of northern end of County using the ferry. He considered the allocation of cost of bridge should lie between the borough and the Awahou and Tokomaru Ridings, in equal sums.

Mr J. G. WiUon said his Coanty was prepared to pay one-third. li depends on the decision if they have, to pay more, and this would depend .if the Borough has to pay less. He thought it strange that the Borough refused to pay anything oh certain reasons. He considered their contentions were not reasonable. Mr lanes said it must have struck the Commissioner as peculiar if Foiton was to derive so much advantage why the Counties have bothered their beads so much for this bridge. If it costs the inhabitants of Foxton 450 in tolls and less if bridge, was constructed it did not concern them to interfere. No one complained about the tolls. As to the resolution, it is clear it was passed with the hope that the road to Eketahuh* Would be proceeded with. There could, be no doubt if the roa<d was carried out the Borough could not oppose'& share of the cost of a bridge. The borough is not an adjacent district within the meaning of the Act of 18SH, as there seemed to be a difference between a road and a bridge. On the question of a bridge the Act only contemplates two districts. The nearest boundary of borough is distant 6 or 7 miles from proposed bridge, and the borough was therefore not an adjacent district. The contention that subsidy should be paid to bridge because a Jew families at Shannon wanted to visit the seaside, was absurd. The evidence also discloses that no timber from Shannon has found its way- to Foxton, and the area of timber land was limited. The Act contemplates that the proposed work must be of advantage to the whole or the considerable portion of the inhabitant* of the district, and the responsibility of proving this rested with the Horowhenua County. The fact appears that this bridge is not required at ail, apart from a few tradesmen. They had bad no evidenae from the inhabit tants of Horowhenua that a bridge was required. It appears as though certain tradesmen at Shannon wanted to catch some of the Moutoa settlers —which it was shown would be a direct loss of trade to Foxton. In conclusion he desired to remind the Commissioner that it was bat a short time since Foxton paid a share of the Wirokino bridge, which was quite luMtH II th« Herotfbwai csait?

did their duty and metalled the road. The Borough was one of the poorest and had miles of umuetalled roads. Mr John Davies said he endorsed & deal said by Mr Wilson. Mrlnnog had referred to the non-prosecution of the road over the to Ekefcahuua—such work? Vera not done in a day, and his district was fully alive to pushing on the work. Ho belieTQy his district would borrow Sshbey to pash on tho work. Owing to the possibility of having tor raise a aptual loan for this work, ho thought Foxton should contribute to the Shannon bridge. The evidence had shown the value of this bridge to Foxton. It is 'the intention of the Horowhenua County to push the road to Eketahuna ahead.

This closed the proceedings, the Commissioner elating he would give gwioua attention to the evidence and report in. due course.