FOXFON-SHANNON ROAD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1090, 5 September 1912, Page 3

FOXFON-SHANNON ROAD.

DISCUSSION BY MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

At Tuesday’s meeting of the Mauawalu County Council the matter of the repairing and maintenance of the Foxton-Sbaunon road, in connection with which a conference between representatives of the Mauawatuand Horowheuua County Councils had been held, was further discussed.

After several laughing references to the peculiar accusation by the Horowhenua Chairman (Mr F. W. Venn) that the Manawatu Councillors were like sheep without a leader (owing to the absence of Cr J. G. Wilson), the humour permeating most of Cr Venn’s utterances, and strong opinions as to his usefulness as a public man, the ground of the grievance was gone over,

Mr Hickford said it would cost over ,£SOO or ,£6oo to put the road in the same condition it was before the flax-carting. Cr Barber pointed out that even if that sum were spent the road would be as bad again in eighteen mouths. There were five mills getting flax from Mr Akers’ property in the Horowheuua County, and the carting caused the r oad to cost more, even now, than all the rest of the riding roads.

The Chairman considered that a Commission ought to be set up to apportion the cost ol maintaining the road.

Cr Grey pointed out that Shannon people also carted their goods from Foxlou and damaged the load.

Cr Barber said it was one of the best roads in the district until the flax-carting was initialed. Cr R. B. McKenzie questioned whether it would not be best to construct a tram to Foxton for flax-carting. The Chairman said they could not look at it —the cost would be so heavy. Cr Barber strongly supported relegating the matter to a Commission. He was quite prepared to move in that direction, and asked if they could get an estimate of the cost of doing the road. Cr McKenzie said the matter was fully discussed at the conference and while the Horowhenua Councillors were prepared to consider an offer, the Mauawatu Councillors could not then make a proposal. The tormer did offer tree access to the metal. In reply to the Chairman, Mr Hickford said an immediate expenditure of was necessary. .Eventually it was decided to obtain estimates from the overseer for the re-instatemeut of the road and submit them to next Council meeting.