FOXTON-SHANNON ROAD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1040, 17 December 1912, Page 3

FOXTON-SHANNON ROAD.

The question of the maintenance of the Shannon-Foxtou road, which has been the subject ot considerable discussion between the Horovvhemia and Manawatu County Councils, again came beiore the lormer body at its meeting on Saturday, when the Chairman of the Manawatu Council, Mr J. G. Wilson, wrote as follows : “The question of this road still requires consideration. The Manawatu County Council thinks that the Horowheuua Count'--Council's suggested offers to assist iu repairing it are out of all reason. What the road realiy wauls is that most of it should be reconstructed aud remetalled to fit it for the f.-iffia which is too heavy for the original construction, though at the time it was formed and metalled it was sufficient. The borrowing of money just now with the restriction at present placed upon the counties is out of the question. Immediate consideration must be given, so as to put it iu reasonable repair for the coming winter traffic. Our overseer bas made a careful estimate of what is required. About 35 chains, near Barr’s road, has been re formed and requires metalling, the balance will require 1,320 yards of metal to put it iu such a condition as will bear the ordinary traffic ot the district. Those who are using it for heavy traffic, we propose, should be asked to guarantee the Council against special damage. The cost ot the above, we estimate, would be £6oo. We consider that your Council should pay half the amouut, aud if your Couucil agrees to this the Manawatu County Council will make arrangements to go on with the work. Otherwise, our Couucil thinks further discussion will uot he of much use, aud that a Commission will be the only way of ascertaining the proportion which should be paid by each Council. If, however, your Council thinks it is advisable to again meet aud discuss the question, our Councillors will arrange a day to meet you for that purpose, preferably at Palmerston North, but we are uot prepared to discuss any other proposition than the one mentioned, namely, half by the Manawatu County Council aud half by the Horowheuua County Couucil.” The Chairman (Cr, Venn) said that for tweuiy years the Mauawatu County Council had cut up the Horowheuua County roads infinitely more than the Horowhenua settlers bad cut up the Manawatu roads. All the Mauawatu cartage was done with narrow tyres. If that County’s ratepayers wanted timber, gravel, goods, or anything, they came over to Shannon. i'he Horowhenna people carted flax, but the speaker remarked that an acre of farm produce was very much heavier than the fibre from an acre of flax.

The following resolution was passed “That this Council cannot agrea to the suggestion ot the Manavvatu Council re the FoxtouShanuou road, but is still willing to meet and discuss the subject, providing the Mauawatu representatives will approach the subject with open minds.”