Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, MAY 10, 1023. THE SHANNON BRIDGE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2582, 19 May 1923, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, MAY 10, 1023. THE SHANNON BRIDGE.

E have no desire to do an iirjuslioo to our Mayor and Council in connection with flic threatened Shannon bridge. The Mayor had to use strong language at last Council meeting in connection with the body responsible for the-control of Ihe bridge in order to arouse the controlling body (the ITorowhenua County Council) to the seriousness "I the situation. It cannot be denied, however, that Foxton and its immediate vicinity is more directly concerned with the safety of the bridge and the means id' commnniitition between this district and Shannon than is realised by some people. The bridge spans (be river. which is the boundary between the ITorowhenua and Manawatu Counties and nearby are the boroughs of Foxt.m and Shannon. The capital cost of the bridge was provided bf the two counties mentioned and the Foxton Borough Council. At the lime of its erection mentionmm was included in Hie TTorowhenua County and as far as we know, bears no direel finaneinU'responsibility. The location of the bridge is at th<' extreme end of the counties’ boundaries. The Manawatu County Ims to contend against the vagaries of the river at the locality and realise that a .succession of erosions will ultimately leave the bridge high and dry. The river has encroached and carried away part of the road loading to the. bridge and the Manawatu County has had to foot Ihe bill in making a new road and erecting a stop-bank". This work indirectly affeels (lie whole position but neither the TTorowhenua County or the Foxton Borough Council would consent, to financially assist the Manawatu County Council. The Shannon Borough Council submilted proposals to deal with the bridge some time since and asked the Foxton Borough Council to join with them, but the latter did not take any action. Of course the Shannon Borough Council bad no legal standing in the matter but was actuated by a desire to render a, public service. In oiir opinion a conference of the bodies interested should be convened and the whole question discussed with a view to safeguarding road communication and putting the cost of this extraordinary work on an equitable basis.