Manawatu Herald SATURDAY, JULY 13, 1929. FLOODED HIGHWAY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3970, 13 July 1929, Page 2

Manawatu Herald SATURDAY, JULY 13, 1929. FLOODED HIGHWAY.

FOR several weeks past the Wel-lington-Auckland main highway between the Wlhirokino bridge and Foxton has been closed to traffic owing to flood waters. This block-, age has caused through traffic to make a wide detour via Shannon and Moutoa or Palmerston North at .considerable inconvenience, loss of t time and expense. The highway effected traverses a low-lying area for about two miles. Some years ago the Manawatu County Council acquired land for a roadway on higher ground which would obviate about two-thirds of the flooded area and we believe the Highways authorities approved of the deviation. But the roadway construction was not proceeded with until it was ascertained whether the River Board's proposed scheme would be sanctioned. The latter scheme would obviate the necessity for any extraordinary expense in this connection. The proposed deviation, however, would not keep the road open in time of flood, unless the length from the Whirokino bridge to ' the im|ain! drain, about half-n-mile, is raised above flood level. Such expense will be justified rather than wait indefinitely for the approval of the River Board’s scheme. The suggestion that this work should be abandoned in favour of the iShannon-Moutoa deviation would not be seriously considered by the Highways Board whose duty it is to consider the national rather than the parochial aspect... We would suggest that a conference of delegates comprising the Automobile Association, Highways Board and local governing bodies concerned be convened to discuss the subject.