STRAIGHTENING SHANNON ROAD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 3788, 13 February 1908, Page 3

STRAIGHTENING SHANNON ROAD.

At the meeting of the Horowhenua County Council last Saturday, Cr Stephenson presented a petition from ratepayers and residents of the Shannon district, asking the Council to take steps to acquire laud between the Shannon bridge over the Mauawatu river aud.lhe Otaura Creek bridge. It would materially shorten the distance between Shannon awf the Manawatu bridge; the road would be safer, and less liable to floods. The petition bore 58 signatures. ,Mr J. R, Stansell waited on the Council in support of the petition, submitting a rough plan of the area under consideration. He said the necessity of the work was obvious to anyone driving along that way. The river had taken a great set in at the point, rendering the place very dangerous to travellers. He thought the land necessary for the deviation, as in flopd time it was exceedingly dangerous. The advantages of having the deviation made now were obvious, as the bridge would shortly be finished and the road should be straightened and completed by the time. Cr Stephenson said the distance of the proposed deviation was about five or six chains. It was a very bad piece of road. Last season the coach got bogged and a horse was lost. The road had always., been unsatisfactory ; the river was fast encroaching, and if the road was not made safe now it would cost more later on. The Engineer should make an estimate and ascertain the cost. If the new line was not taken the Council would have to spend nearly its cost on the old one, and then they would have an unsatisfactory road.

The Chairman said the proposed new piece of road would do 1 away entirely 1 with the old bad crooked piece. Mr Stansell said the bridge would be finished iu April, and he hoped the Council would have the road straightened by that time. On Cr Venn’s motion, seconded by Cr Freeman, it was resolved that the Engineer prepare a statement showing what will be gained and what the extra cost of straightening the Shannon Ferry Road would be; also to ascertain if the Council have any title to the land required by the petitioners, and report to next meeting of the Council.