THE SHANNON BRIDGE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2952, 22 October 1925, Page 2

THE SHANNON BRIDGE.

PROSPECT OF EARLY ACTION. POWIER FOR THE PUNT. Several letters were received at Saturday’s meeting of the Horowhenua County Council in regard to the Shannon Bridge. The Shannon Borough Council wrote suggesting a conference of local bodies interested, to discuss the question of contribution. The Foxton Borough Council advised that they would be willing to contribute the sum of £IOO towards the cost of the new bridge, provided that such a sum would relieve the Council of any further expense in future in eonection thereto.

The chairman (Mr. Monk) said that with Sir James Wilson, chairman of the Manawatu 'County Council, he waited on Mr. Furkert, Engineer-in-Chief in regard to the bridge. Matters were now in train for action provided these boroughs were willing to contribute their quota to the cost arrived at on a proportionate basis. The Engin-eer-in-Chief had stated that the maximum subsidy would be given by the Highways Board, that was £1 for £1 up to £IO,OOO, 30s for £1 up to £20,000, and £2 for £1 beyond that. On that basis, the quota to be found by the local bodies for a £24,000 bridge would be £IO,OOO. If the two boroughs would agree to a proposal he would lay before them during the coming week he saw no reason why plans and specifications should not go on immediately. A special meeting of the District Council of the Highways Board would be called and a declaration made that the road to the new site was a main highway. The Chief Engineer assured him that the Main Highway Board would agree to this procedure and that the Public Department would then be able to proceed with the plans and specifications for the new bridge. The letters were received. IMPROVING THE PUNT SERVICE. The Shannon Co-op. Dairy wrote urging the immediate necessity of installing motor power on the river punt at Shannon, as the present hand wheel is not satisfactory. The chairman said that if they were going to build a new bridge the punt would be in use for several years, and they might as well provide facilities for working by

power. Cr Whyte said an officer of the Public Works Department had been enquiring for a second-hand engine. The matter was left to the Engineer to attend to and see that power was installed. The Engineer reported as follows: “I have procured another boat for the Manawatu river punt, which will be forwarded to Shannon immediately a few minor repairs have been made.” Cr. Barber said there had been some friction in regard to the use of the punt and he thought there should be some clearly-defined hours at which it should be working. The chairman said that he had no doubt the Council, as the controlling authority, would have to arrange for a double shift as the punt became more used.