THE SHANNON FERRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 2986, 14 January 1926, Page 2

THE SHANNON FERRY.

BRIDGE OR POWER.

“How long is it going to be before we get the bridge ” asked Councillor Boyce when means of communication between Shannon and Foxton came up for discussion at Tuesday’s meeting of the Manawatu County Council. “Three years,” replied the engineer and Councillor Barber remarked that fourteen months had passed since the old bridge had been washed away. The Council was considering the suggestion of the Horowhenua County Council, that the Manawatu County should contribute towards the cost, estimated at £l3O, of installing power on the Shannon punt. It was stated that difficulty was being experienced in getting the punt across the river, hut Councillors were not by any means unanimous that any further money should lie expended on it. What was wanted was the new bridge and councillors considered that steps should be taken to ascertain when the new structure was likely to be begun. As the bridge, had been down fourteen months, Councillor Barber thought the Council should not be too hasty in accepting punt improvement schemes and another month in investigating the bridge question would not seriously affect the position. “It is high time something was done to gp( the bridge erected,” said Councillor Barber. “The settlers are very concerned and wish to know what is going to he done.”

The Council decided to defer consideratioiuof the power for the punt question and, in the meantime, to approach the authorities with regard to the new bridge. “Before we retire, I should like to know what has been done with regard to the Shannon bridge. lam continually getting letters and I would be glad of any information you have,” said Mr. J. Linklater M.P., on the occasion of a deputa--tion concerning the movement to proclaim lupins a noxious weed. The member read a letter from the Shannon Dairy Coy., which roundly condemned the delay in renewing the bridge. “There appears to have been a lot of unnecessary delay,” said Mr. Linklater, “and I should like to know what is happening.”

Councillor Barber said the Public Works Department was holding the matter up. The Council had agreed unconditionally to help the Horowlienua County to get a new bridge, but he would not like to say that the Public Works Department was altogether to blame. Perhaps Mr. Linklater would inquire into the position on behalf of the Council. Mr. Linklater said that he would be pleased to make representations in the proper quarter; Councillor Barber said he knew that if nothing was done soon, a big petition would be drawn up by the settlers who were tired of waiting.