THE FOXTON-SHANNON ROAD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1221, 17 March 1914, Page 2

THE FOXTON-SHANNON ROAD.

DISCUSSION BY HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL

The clerk of the Manavvatu County Council forwarded to the Horowhenua County Council on Saturday an agreement id respect of the appointment of Messrs H. J. Hayns (Palmerston North) and Sjj A. R. Mair (Hunterville), as arbitrators in connection with the dispute over the maintenance of the Foxton-Shanuon road. This road is partly in the Manawatu and differences have arisen between the respective Councils as to what proportion of the cost of maintenance each should pay, Cr Venn stated that he considered the whole question of the FoxtonShaunon road work must rest upon the amount of rates available from the flax lands, the fibre from which is carted over the above road. It would be quite early ■enough for a legal agreement when the arbitrators had come to a decision. Cr Stephenson considered it necessary to have an agreement. As a Council they agreed to settle the matter by arbitration. The matter to be arbitrated upon was the damage done to the Manawatu County’s portion of the road, and he took it that this Council had power to bring as a set-off the damage done to the Horowhenua portion of the road. He was in favour of signing the agreement. Cr Venn considered the agreement lopsided. The Manawatu people had drawn the agreement up without the knowledge of this Council. He considered that the the two arbitrators should be taken over the road together before each was instructed by bis respective Council. • How could two men agree after each had heard his Council’s side of the question. He again relerred to the damage being done to the Horowhenua part of the road by carts irom the Manawatu County. He thought this Council should ignore the agreement and carry the following resolution :—“ That the Manawatu County Council be asked to name a date and time when two of their representatives and their arbitrator will meet two representatives of this Council and arbitrator at Shannon, for the purpose of estimating the damage to the Manawatu bridge and roads of both Counties, caused by the fibre, milk and metal traffic.” The chairman seconded the motion, at the same time stating that he considered the agreement should contain some reference to the damage being done on ibis Council’s portion of the road - Cr Venn : Of course it should The chairman: Perhaps two more clauses could be added, with reference to the Horowhenua County, similar to those for the Manawatu County. Cr Stephenson: We could ask them to amend the agreement to that affect. On the suggestion of the chairman, Cr Venn added to bis motion the following words : “ and that the agreement be amended by adding clauses covering the damage done, and damage and maintenance to be done, to the bridge and portion of the road within the Horowhenua County,” Cr Stepheuson thought the last part of the motion quite right. The motion was carried.