FERRY SERVICE

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2846, 14 February 1925, Page 2

FERRY SERVICE

TO RFFLACK SHANNON BRIDGE The punt to ferry tratlie over the \1 anawatn river at Moutoa, and ihus restore road eomiininieaiion bet ween this district and Shannon, is alloni. It will he u few weeks, however, before it is put in commission, a< (be lower on tlie Moutoa side of i lie river is not yet erected for ils manipulation. The mad access to ilie punt on the Moutoa side is also yet to be metalled. The site of the crossing is several chains |o tlie south of the wrecked bridge, opposite Mr Alex. Saunders' late residence. In conversation with Mr Hickford, Mann wat u County Engineer, vcsleiday, we were informed that bis county is not responsible for Ihe delay in completing the road access on this side. The liorowlionua County offered to supply metal for .Mieuloa road access at a much cheaper rate than could he supplied by his county, and arrangements were made to ferry the metal across. So far the metal has not been delivered oil the other side, and the contractors are thus prevented from completing the roadwav. He said the Public Works Department is resp.oimi.Rle for tlie erection of the tower, without, which the punt is useless In his opinion, the ferry should be in working order within a fortnight. Asked what arrangements had been made to work the punt, Air Hickford said he did not know what the Highways Board's intentions were. “In any ease I should say it will be a two-man job, and an oil engine will-be required Tor propulsion if the current is not effective.” Air Hickford said he had no idea of what arrangements had been made, if any, to meet the cost of working the ferry.