THE SHANNON PUNT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2977, 19 December 1925, Page 2

THE SHANNON PUNT.

COST OF INSTALLING ENGINE

The Shannon Bridge ferry is still much in evidence at meetings of the Horowhenua County Council (says the Chronicle). On Saturday the Engineer reported Hint he had gone carefully into the matter of installing power on the punt and estimated that ii would cost .CLIO.

Or Whyte said th« engineer's estimate of £l3O seemed to he rather large. How was it arrived at? The Engineer pointed out thai his estimate including shutting, installing costs, pulleys and timber — n big "job. He had discussed the matter with Mr. Johnston, Public Works engineer, and he had agreed that, the method of putting the shafting under the deck would be the best plan. There was great difficulty in getting reversing gear.

The chairman said he would like to suggest that Air. Mr. Anderson's estimate be submitted to the Manawatu County Council and the Public Works Department, asking them for anv suggestions or their ap-

pnivak A resolution passed to this cited was carried.

Or. Barber suggested the use of a rope on the bed of the river for the reversing action, it depending how the rope went on to the drum as to the direction.

Cr. Barber said it had been reported to him that the boat was in a very had slate. It ws lull of water and unsafe to travel on.

The Engineer staled that the only thing that had been wrong with the punt was that two planks had split, but these had been fixed and the whole thing thoroughly coated with tar and bitumen before going on to the water. Cr. Barber said there had been difficulty in securing the services of the ferryman. At a concert reeentIv someone had to go down and bring the entertainers over. He himself had had to go and get Ihe ferryman about 8.30 one evening. If one man could not do the work the local bodies would have to consider paying for two. The engineer said it was a funny thing that none of these complaints seemed to reach his ears..

The chairman said there were other men willing to take on the job of ferryman and they had already had applications. If it was necessary they would have to put on two men. They had the assurance of the Highways Board that the cost of the ferry would not cost the Council more than the maintenance of the bridge did. The chairman said that all trouble and complaints should be reported to the Engineer. It was unjust that he (the Engineer) should have to come to the. Council meetings in order to hear complaints. He was not referring to Cr. Barber, who was quite justified in reporting what he heard. SHANNON BRIDGE ROAD. The Shannon Borough Council, in regard to the proposed road leading to (lie new bridge on the Shannon side, asked Ihe Council if ii were practicable and possible to allow the road to join the present County road as near Shannon as possible. Received.

The chairman of Ihe Alain Highwavs Board wrote in eoiineetior

wilb ihe Marmwatu river bridge, stating he was pleased to know an agrcemcnl had been made between the various local bodies concerned in the matier. As soon as the result of the survey is known steps can be taken to have the necessary plans and estimates prepared. Received.

A copy of a resolution was rereccived from the Alanawatu Couniv Council to the eliect: “ I hat the Horowhenua County Council be asked (o expedite the installation of an engine on the Shannon punt for working the same.”