SHANNON BRIDGE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3742, 17 January 1928, Page 2

SHANNON BRIDGE.

■COMPLETION BEFORE MARCH 31. COUNCIL TO URGE ROAD CONSTRUCTION. Further steps in the financing of the new bridge over the Manawatu liver, on the Shannon-Foxton Highway were discussed at the meeting of the Horowhenua County Council on Saturday. .. .4 The chairman of the Highways Board (Mr. F. W. Furkert) forwarded a copy of a clause included in the Local Legislation Act, 1927, giving the Council poAver to borrow its proportion of the cost of the bridge and the approach roads Avithout taking a poll of the ratepayers. The writer stated he Avould be glad if the Council would make the necessary arrangements to pay , its proportion of the cost of the , bridge into the Public Account as early as possible. The Avork was V Avell under way, and the contractor expected to complete the work in accordance with the contract before March 31st next. In regard to the approach roads, the Board realised that these should be pushed on to be completed in conjunction with the bridge, but the limitation of finances precluded the 'Board from making sufficient provision to construct the approach roads this year. If, however, the Council’s contribution—firsLof all to the bridge and secondly to the approach foads — was forthcoming at an early date, and before the end of the financial year, steps Avould be taken to have the approach roads put in baud. , - The chairman remarked that the , V Board had a principle whereby a local body did the work first and received the money afterwards; and sometimes it was not obtained very readily. The Council bad been as much as £II,OOO behind on occasions, and had had to pay bank interest on the money. He waited in Wellington for nearly a Aveek for the money, and would not leave till lie got it. For the scheme the Council had only estimates to deal with and Avantcd to know what the - actual cost avhs. .The estimate was £23,000, but they had not been in- ~ .. . formed Avhat the contract price fox the bridge Avas. He moved that au- - thority. be given to himself and the •County Clerk to take the niattci up with the authorities, secure definite information, and report to the •Council; also to represent to the Board the necessity for going on with the road. 4> AA', ; The chairman stated that if the ; matter was going to be one for a , County lean, it would open up a j|A;, very Avide subject for this county. It might happen that the scheme would have to be amended. Until he bad discussed the matter with the Board, he was not in a position to say anything. The motion was carried. V The Shannon Borough Couucil forwarded a letter in reply to the County Council’s request for the former body’s subsidies to the eonstruction of the bridge and the approach road —viz., £BSO and £SOO respectively. The Town Clerk stated that it Avas mentioned at the Borough Council meeting that the County Council would be raising an amount in this connection, and • that arrangements might be made .. . with the County Council/to include the Borough’s contribution in the Comity’s loan. It desired that this suggestion be placed before the Comity Council for consideration. The chairman said there were a A. good many aspects of this matter Avhich would have to be thoroughly considered before any reply could be given to the Shannon Borough. He suggested that in the meantime the letter be referred to the Finance Committee, with instructions to report to the next meeting of the , Council. The Clerk and himself would interview the Highways authorities and aseei’tain the position of various matters in connec- ~ t tion with the road and bridge eonstruction. On the \notion of Cr. Catley, seconded by Cr. Bryant, it was detided that the letter be referred to ( A the Finance Committee for a report to the Council. A