THE SHANNON PUNT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2874, 23 April 1925, Page 4

THE SHANNON PUNT.

HIGHWAYS BOARD DECLINES TO TAKE CONTROL.

At Saturday’s meeting of the Horowhenua County Council, a letter was received from the Public Works Department advising that they were in receipt of a letter from the Highways Board, intimating that al a. meeting held in (lie middle of March, it had been decided to notify Ihe Council that the Board regretted that it was unable to take over ihe operation of the Shannon punt, and that from the Ist April, il would be necessary for the local bodies to employ a ferry-man for its operation. The County Clerk stated that he had that morning had a ring from MV Ronayne, of the Public Works Department, who told him that from that day the Highways Board would not take responsibility for the punt. The chairman said that at last meeting of the Highways Boards, of which lie wits it member, this matter had come up for discussion. The Board was of opinion that no charge should he made for the use of the punt and had suggested that the County should take over its running. To this he had made no objection, provided the Council was given sole charge, and that the oilier local bodies were notified of this fact. The idea was that the ferryman’s wages should tie paid it-, the llorowheima County Council, the other local bodies contributing. If it was found that the annual cost of tlte running of the punt v,as greater than the keeping of the bridge open, then they should approach the Main Highways Board to have the road proclaimed a Main Highway, when the Board would contribute. . The Board was to notify the Council when arrangements were made in the direction of appointing them to control, but until such intimation was received, nothing could he done. The matter was held over.