A Lost Opportunity

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 65, 20 March 1944, Page 4

A Lost Opportunity

At least eight or nine months ago a break rendered the old wooden AVhirokino bridge unusable. As a result the Foxton-Levin road had to be closed and traffic had to detour via Shannon to add many miles to the journey of some thousands of vehicles weekly. The waste of petrol and tyres and‘the wear and tear on roads and vehicles lias been continuing- ever since. Reminder is given by the report from the last Manawatu County Council meeting * which tells of about £4OOO being required to put the Foxton-Shannon highway in order, this apparently being due to the use of that highway as a detour route. Some five months ago there was suggested in these columns that the Public Works Department should have the Army’s engineering corps build a temporary , bridge at Whirokino and that a twofold benefit would be gained thereby. Training would be provided the engineers and the route would be reopened to all but the heaviest traffic. Unfortunately the Public Works Department showed no interest in the matter, although the County Council expressed appreciation of the proposal. It does seem that an opportunity was lost. There is a moral to this ease. So many people hold to profound faith in State planning and direction and so lack faith in the achievement of private enterprise. Yet that example of a lost opportunity to effect temporary repairs to a bridge and thus gain great savings for the public was overlooked by the State. Would such an opportunity have been overlooked by private enterprise? There is an alertness in private business which contrasts with an apathy in affairs conducted by governments, whether in this country or elsewhere.