MAIN HIGHWAYS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2840, 31 January 1925, Page 2

MAIN HIGHWAYS.

ELI MIX A TING FOXTON - SIIAX - NON ROAD. LOCAL BODIES’ RESENTMENT. Allusion to the announcement of the Main Highways Board that the Foxton-Shannon road may be cut out of the main highways scheme was made by Mr. J. G'hrystall at the conclusion of the Shannon bridge conferenre on Thursday. The letter from the Board to the Shannon Borough Council relative !(> this matter, staled, inter alia: —< “The annual review of roads to be declared main highways will ho made in April next, and there is a possibility of the Foxton-Shannon road being deleted in view of the facj that it is not considered to possess the same national importance other main highways, and also in view of the fact that there is direct communication between Shannon and Palmerston N.” Before Mr Chryslall proceeded further, Mr J. Hannah, Public Works district engineer nt Wellington, remarked: “You have time enough lo consider that before April.” Mr Chryslall replied that he deemed this an opportune moment to deal with the matter as it. was urgent and seriously affected the district.

(Mr G. A. Monk (chairman of the Ilnrmvhenun County Council) said: “Nothing s o drastic as cutting this read out of the main highways scheme could be effected until we have been consulted in the matter. Onr representatives on the district council will look after the matter to the best of their ability and make out a very good ease for the road remaining a main highway. I don’t think I tie Board would somersault ns suggest ed." Mr Murdoch (Mayor of Shannon)

“They may make it a main road now that there is going to he a new bridge there.” Mr G. T. Murray, engineer of the Main Highway Board said that; the road from Shannon to Palmerston X. had come tinder the consideration of the hoard as a main highway after the Fox ton-(Shannon road. It was later deemed that there were enough main highways in this district without the Foxton Shannon route. It. had been decided, therefore that, some would have to he cut out and the elimination of the road in question was suggested. Nothing, however, had been done in the matter yet. The hoard wanted to declare as many reads as possible main highways, lm| .simply could not finance such a large number. Mr Chrvstnll moved: “Thai this Hireling objects to the proposed deleiion of the Fox ton-Shannon road IT din the main highways scheme.” He further suggested that a copy of the motion he sent to the District Highways Council. The Foxton Harbour Board, he added, had increased the facilities of the port and hoped (o do ji liberal trade with Shannon and otlie inland districts near Foxton. The motion was carried. Sir James Wilson (chairman of (lie Manawatu County Council) spoke, in support of the protest stating that the Foxton-Sliannon road was an important connecting link in the road system of the Manawatu County Council. If for instance, the Fitzherbevt street bridge at Palmerston N. was washed away, the Shan-non-Foxton route would lie doubly important. Mr Monk expressed the opiniou that the matter would be better brought up by individual local bodies.