SHANNON-EKETAHUNA TRACK.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1133, 14 August 1913, Page 4

SHANNON-EKETAHUNA TRACK.

At Saturday’s meeting of the Horowhenua County Council a letter was received from the Eketahuna County Council, asking the Horowhenua County Council to use its influence with a view to having a survey made and a road or track formed across the ranges to connect the two counties, and to bring the matter under the notice of the member tor the district. The letter stated that the road would be of immense advantage for the purpose of interchange of stock, as only a matter of about eight miles separated the formed and metalled roads of the two counties.

The Chairman (Cr Stephenson) staled that the route was known as the Shannou-Eketahuna track. An agitation had been going on by the settlers on one side and the settlers on the other side for the track. He asked the Council to leave the matter to him, as he would be going to Wellington next week to the Counties’ Conference, and could there meet the Chairman of the Eketahuna Council and other bodies concerned in the matter, and after a discussion could get the member for the district to approach the Government for the survey. The Chairman’s suggestion was agreed to.

A deputation from Shannon, introduced by Mr Robertson,'M.P., and consisting of Messrs Murdoch and Stansell, waited upou the Minister for Public Works (the Hon. W- Fraser) on Tuesday in reference to a grant for the proposed stock track from Hukanui (Wairarapa) to Shannon, It was pointed out that the construction of the track would be of great advantage to districts on both sides of the ranges, as it would enable stock-drivers to avoid the long and circuitous route via Palmerston North. It was also shown that the track would open up new country. The Minister, who remarked that the cost of such a work would probably be not less than ,£ 1,000, said that the matter would receive careful consideration when the public works estimates for the district were being considered.