THE SHANNON PUNT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3036, 15 May 1926, Page 2

THE SHANNON PUNT.

NO SOLUTION OF DIFFICULTY. At the last meeting of the Shannon Co-op. Dairy Co., Ltd., it was decided to ask the County Council for some definite improvements to the approach of the punt on the Shannon side of the Manawatu river. It was further suggested that if a gravel approach was formed out into the water, with a supporting 12-inch plank on the south side, it might improve the situation very much. Further, that Mr. Hugh Akers had a pontoon which might be made use of in the construction of an appoach, and that a winch on the Shannon side would, as a last resort, be of advantage in jmlling cars out of the water. When the matter came up at Saturday's meeting of the County Council the chairman said these suggestions had, on several previous occasions been considered, but there were always disadvantages. Maybe, as the writers suggested, a moving pontoon could be used on occasion. Undoubtedly, the thing was bad. Cr. Cat ley: It isn’t so easy to remedy as it looks! The Chairman: If only we could have the water at a fixed level . The council is very anxious to do what it can, and I suggest that we take up the matter with the engineer of the Manawatu County. We can’t go through another summer and have the same trouble as we had this year. Cr. Barber: It seems to me the Council suggests things, but nothing is done. The Engineer: Oh, no, Cr. Barber, things are done, alright. Cr. Barber: For the past three months, or more there has been trouble in gettiig the punt into the water. The Shannon Dairy Co. is losing a lot of money in the collection of cream, and the County roads arc suffering ,as a consequence of the lorries, etc., having to make such long trips on the roads. I think, perhaps, an artificial approach might be made on this side of the river, built out in order to get an even grade. Put down the metal and, if you can, eon line it there. It is rather a sore point in the Shannon locality that the Council does nothing. The Chainnai: But, suppose we do something, and it fails? Cr. Ryder: I make a suggestion that the Works Committee visit the punt . Cr. Barber: It is alright for the Works Committee to go there, but there are also other bodies just as much concerned. The Chairman: I feel that we should try something, even if it proves a failure. The Engineer: I have spoken to many different engineers, who were not directly interested, and have received various suggestions, but it has been found, up to the present, absolutely impossible to do anything. WJiat, for instance, would have happened while this flood was on? If the river was stationary, things would be quite alright, but it is affected every day by every fresh in the river. So far as the building of approaches or stages is concerned, I don’t think they are going to be any good at all. At the present time the river at that point is gradually silting up, as you can see any time you go up there. The approach isn’t nearly so deep as it was, and the water is gradually getting shallower. If, during flood, the punt comes, up on a pile—away goes the punt! Cr. Barber: The punt never gets high and dry on the Foxton side of the river.

The Engieeer: Because the water is deeper and always will be! Cr. Catley: Woudn’t it be possible to artificially scour on this side? The Engineer: You can’t get into a river like that with shovels. Cr. Barber: If you put a groin there would it have the effect of deepening the water at this point? The Engineer: There is just a chance, but what will happen when the river rises and all the silt comes down on the structure? Cr. Barber: It won’t lodge for a very long period on a 16 feet or 18 feet roadway. The Engineer: I have gone very fully into the thing, and at the present time I can’t__see what can be done.

Cr. Barber: I feel that the people in the locality, who find this crossing very essential, should see we are serious in regard to our intentions of doing something. If we go there on occasions, they can see we are giving it our attention. Then Engineer: I suggested put--ting down manuka fascines in the ■ river. I have seen that tried in various places, and know it becomes very solid, but how are you going to work the punt when the river is falling? A roadway could be made, alright, but with the punt rising and falling with the river, how are you gong to get the punt backwards and forwards? If a 1 in 10 grade were cut, how long will it last? The first silt sand coming down would again fill the hole. Cr. Ryder said he felt certain that some of the councillors did not realise that one side was solid, while the other was continually shifting. He felt that if the Council were to meet the other bodies interested good would come of it. The Chairman: We can’t do that to-day as the Works Committee disband, but we can make certain recommendations to the incoming Council. However, I move that the Engineer confer with those interested and report accordingly. The motion was carried. —Chronicle.