SHANNON ROAD DEVIATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2404, 14 March 1922, Page 2

SHANNON ROAD DEVIATION.

AGAIN DISCUSSED BY COUNCIL. MOTION AND AMENDMENTS DEFEATED. At last night’s Council meeting: a letter was received from the Manawntu County Council, stating that in continuation of the conference which took place re the deviation of the Shannon road near the bridge, (lie County Council asked that the Borough Council agree to the following proposal, in order to expedite the work being .gone' on with: — (1) That £I,OOO be borrowed for the purpose of deviatingHhe road and re-erecting the stop Wank further from the river. (2) That to provide interest and sinking fund the local bodies interested, viz., (1) Foxton Borough Council, (2) Shannon Borough Council, (3) Horowhenua County Council, and (4) Mnnawatu County Council, agree to find the amount necessary in the following proportions: —Horowhenua County one-eighth, Foxton Borough oneeighth, Shannon Borough oneeighth, Mnnawatu County, liveeighths.

Cr. Thompson said he would like to see the Council contribute to the cost of the road. The closing of that road would mean the shutting of the door to Foxton from Shannon. It was only a small sum the Council was asked to pay, £8 per year. It would he money spent, in l lie right direction. Private interest.-- should not he considered. The road was the one mos|used by travellers, and the mails Wellington came that way. He considered the Council should reconsider the

matter. Cr. Walker said he understood by reading the Mnnawatu Qounty Council's report that the Mnnawatu Council had decided to go on with the work, and in that case there was m.i need for the Borough Council to do anything. Cr. Bryant said that the Mannwatu County Council wanted to get on with the work at ; once. They could mu- delay. If the Council agrecd to contribute,,then there would lie no need for the County Council to take a poll, and so time would be saved. He. was surprised at the Borough Council not supporting the matter.

Cr. Coley said that if the road went it would not he for a short time, hut for a month at lea the road would ho closed.

The Mayor moved, seconded by Cr. Thompson, that, in reply to'the Mnnawatu County Council, and subject to the other local bodies agroeing thereto, this Council is willing lo refer the matter of contributing towards the cost of the road formation at Shannon Bridge to an independent tribunal of two arbitrators, to he unanimously chosen by the Mann wain County Council, and one to be chosen by the other local bodies. > Cr. Martin moved an amendment, -eeondod by Cr. Smith, that the Malta watn County Council he informed Hint the Foxton Borough Council cannot alter its decision re contributing to the cost of altering the load at Shannon Bridge. Cr. Marlin said that he was absolutely opposed to the Council contributing to the work. The Mnnawatu County Council knew years ago (hat something should he done to I lit 1 road, hut let it “rip.” If the Council were to contribute tlys time, they would lie lapped agan later and could not refuse. If the road is blocked the mails will come some other way. The Council wak wobbling about- too much. They should decide one thing and stick to it. The Mnnawatu County Council was only bluffing. The Mnnawatu County Council and Horowhenua County Council were the only two bodies concerned. -The Mayor said that life was not wobbling. He had .suggested a tribunal at the last meeting, and was standing by that.

The amendment was lost, Councillors Coley, Thompson, Ross, Brvant and the Mayor voting against.

A further amendment was moved liy Cr Bryant, seconded hv Cr. Coley, that the Council contribute one-eighth of the cost of deviation of road, subject to the other bodies contributing their portion. Cr. Bryant said that Cr. Martin had said the Manawalu County Council had had plenty of time to put the work in order. They had-been doing nothing else for years, but the river had gradually worked out towards the road. They have now come to the cenelusion that the only tiling to save the'road is to make a deviation. The Council should support the County Council in the extraordinary circumstances.

Cr Coley endorsed Cr. Bryant’s remarks, and stressed the necessity of speed in doing something. He, said that no road was of greater benefit to Foxton than the Shannon road if kept open. Cr. Boss said '/hat if the others eotnributed, this council should.

Cr. Smith said that they die/ not want .to do anything to close the road. He was only up against the principle. The amount was not worth quibbling- over. The Manawatu County Council is responsible for the work. Why should this council pay for it? They could do it on a bank overdraft if they had no money. . The further amendment was lost, the Mayor and Councillors Smith, Rand, Martin and Walker voting against. The motion was then put and lost.