SHANNON BRIDGE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2440, 13 June 1922, Page 2

SHANNON BRIDGE.

At. last, night’s meeting of the Borough Council, a letter was received from the Shannon Borough Council stating that the Minister of Public Works would receive a deputation of representatives of the local bodies concerned in the matter of the Manawatu River and Bridge on June 13th next and stating that it would be well if the Council would be represented at the conference. The communication was received without comment. HOROWHENUA COUNCIL NOT TO TAKE ACTION. A letter was received at the meeting of the Horowhenua County Council on Saturday in which the Shannon Borough Council stated with reference to the Manawatu river bridge, at Shannon, that it had been decided to wait on the Minister of Public Works with a view to urging him to take steps to form a contributing body, comprised of the Horowhenua and Manawatu County and the Shannon and Foxton Borough Councils. Each corporation should contribute equitable amounts towards putting the bridge in order and dealing with the question of the river. The Shannon Borough Council asked the Horowhenua Council’s co-operation, and that delegates be sent to comprise the deputation when the date and place for same were arranged. “This posiion is,” said the chairman (Cr. Monk), “that this council is the controlling body of the bridge. As such, our Engineer is responsible fdr fepdfts concerning the maintenance of the bridge. Naturally we should rely upon his reports and not go behind his back. Now, I have been consistently informed by the engineer that the bridge .is in no dan-, ger from the river. He reports that he has tested the river >in many ways, and flow and direction of the current have thus been ascertained. Tt is his opinion that the main flow i.-. in the centre of the bridge and'the threatened diversion of the current is not nearly as serious as the report of another engineer would make it appear. Of course it is as matter of one engineer’s opinion against another. I am inclined to argue this way: We are the controlling body—the onus of the reports is thrown on the county engineer—let us then uphold him. It seems that, under the scheme considered by the Makerua Drainage Board, it will be only a matter of time till a great amount of water will be sent down''•under our bridge- —more indeed than it will be abll to carry. If this happens the bridge will go under the water. The question is: Viflf the Government attempt to remedy the matter? It has been previously stated that a scheme to effect improvements and safeguard higher up the river would cost a huge sum ■—probably about a quarter of a million pounds sterling. No public body would be likely to undertake the scheme. Personally, I think the Shannon Borough Council may take their trouble to the Minister. There is no need for this council to be represented. As the controlling body we Avill surely be consulted later. It would be rediculous to go and argue our side of the matter before the Minister. Let the Shannon people have a unanimous suggestion to make—sour turn will come later on.” Cr. Ryder said he thought the river should he tested when in flood.

The Engineer (Mr C. N. Anderson) said that the bulk of the timber in flood time came down the western side of the river. The chairman said that the original plan of the bridge showed (liat the piles were nine feet deep. , j„he engineer reported that the piles wre still covered to this depth. The engineer said lie had found no traces of erosion on the council’s side of the bridge for the past twelve months. y<. The'* eliafi-man said'that tlie point was that, if it was proposed to go up the river and build groynes, a tremendous work would be involved. Surely it Was r not entirely a question for piililic bodies. Had not the property'owners, anything to say in the matter? He-would emphatically s;f?4 Do not assume any more liabiconnection vnfch the bridge at Hra% : the whoe thing

the point that there should be a competent river hoard throughout the whole of the county. Overlapping in connection with river works was responsible for much trouble. At present there was no responsible authority. •> The "Cdimty ClervThere, is a river board.

'Cl I '. Ryder said he had never seen r, proper river hanks put in in New Zealand. All the banks were built too close to the river and the space for the water channel was too cramped usually. This could' he seen almost, anywhere in Hawke's Bay.

The engineer said there was no doubt that the river would not hold all the water in the present channel if ii were banked up too much, i The chairman :!Well, lebus wait developments in this matter.* He added that the Mananwatu County Council had not cared to come into the matter, because the Horowhenua Council was the controlling authority. They should, stand by the engineer’s advice.

C. r. Ryder pxpresaed., theopinion that any danger should be .stop-

A motion was then passed that no action be taken in connection with the letter.