IMPORTANT NEW ROAD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2216, 16 December 1920, Page 1

IMPORTANT NEW ROAD.

TO OPEN UP MAKEUP A FARM. A deputation consisting of Moss’s A. and H. Seifert, J. Liggius and 11. Akers waited on the Horowhemia County Council at Saturday’s meet-, ing in connect ion with a scheme for reading a block of (he Makerua lands, of which they wore the owners, and to ask the Council’s assistance in raising (he necessary money for the work. A plan of the locality was submitted, showing that 17 miles of rftad was required. The de-putation-was .introduced by Cr. .1. R. Whyte. Mr A. Seifert explained the owners had decided to subdivide and road this land for farm purposes, owing to (lie llax being destroyed by the yellow leaf disease. The owners would require to give 130 acres for reading purposes, which was a fairly heavy impost, but they were prepared to do that. When the new road was completedto Rangitane it would give a level road from Shannon to Palmerston North, which would be a benefit to the Whole district, and very soon become the main route to Palmerston. The roading would require the raising of a loan, which they asked the Council to undertake, and a rating area would be formed, comprising 13,708 acres, to repay the loan. Mr Liggins said the owners proposed giving to the public a level road from Shannon northwards —a very good thing for the travelling public. The owners were also banking the Manawatu, and this would bo an important undertaking to (ho whole country, and almost of Dominion importance. The subdivision of this country would mean increased settlement ,nnd bring furl her revenue to the county. —Mr Akers said it wi(s proposed to expend some £IOO,OOO on drainage and roading, and if the Council assisted them in raising the necessary loan it would lie an important step.—-Mr H. Seifert asked if the Council was prepared to take over (he suspension bridge at Hangitanc, which would lie the outlet lor (be main (rathe from Shannon and ,-milhorn districts, and conned with the main road which it was proposed to make through the Makerua. The bridge was lift, wide and 472 ft. long, and (it to carry all ordinary tri*Hic. The price they put on it was £3,0(10, which was a reasonable figure. —In reply lo Cr. Ryder, Mr Akers said the last big flood did not come near the Rangitane bridge. — Cr. Darkness: Do J understand the deputation want us to raise (he loan? The chairman: Yes. —The chairman, replying to the remarks of the deputation, slated that it would be necessary to raise the money required in o_ne sum to provide for formation and gravelling. This would have to be done before dedication of the road could bo accepted by the Council. They recognised that the roading on Ibis land would improve the adjacent properly and put up their values, but it had lo he taken into account that it was also adding some 17 miles of extra roads for the county to look after. However, that was by I lie way, as it meant the advance of settlement. The only (ly in the ointment whs the bridge, and he suggested that sufficient money lie raised to purchase the bridge also, if that were done, the Council would be prepared lo do all il could lo assist in raising the money. —Mr H. Seifert said it would hardly be a'fair thing to expect the rating area to purchase a bridge for public requirements. —The chairman l That makes it a question Jor the (toverninenl. —Mr Seifert added that the owners would consider the point, and would make all preparation for the commencing of the roading in anticipation of the Cuun(:il raising the money. The chairman said the Council would do their best in the matter. —Chronicle.