EROSION AT SHANNON BRIDGE.

Shannon News, 14 March 1922, Page 3

EROSION AT SHANNON BRIDGE.

PROPOSAL TO SHIFT A ROAD

ONLY POSTPONING TROUBLE.

Following on a recent; conference of representatives of the four local bodies interested in maintaining the Shannon-Foxton Road and the bridge, over the Manawatu River intact against erosion of the river’s banks, a letter was received by the Horovvhenua County Council at its .meeting on Saturday from Sir James Witson, chairman of the Manawatu County Council. The writer, on behalf of hfs Council, suggested that £IOOO be borrowed for the purpose of deviating the road and re-erecting a stopbank further from the river, .and that to provide interest, and sinking fund the Manawatu County Council contribute five-eighths, the remainder 10 be made up evenly in the proportion of one-eiglith each by the Horowhenua County Council and the Shannon and Foxton Borough Councils. ' The chairman (Civ Monk) said that he, with Crs. Ryder and MeLeavey and the engineer had formed the committee from the Horowhenua Countv when the conference was held at the scene of the trouble. There had been no concrete proposals put for

ward for putting an end to the erosion, and shifting the road would only mean that it. would have to be shitted agin later. On these grounds the committee had no recommendation to make. It would be superfluous foi the Horowhenua county to make r suggestion, for the reason* that Manawatu would not listen to it. Cr. Harkness was insistent that mu opinion should be offered. “But the road is not in our county,” said Cr. MeLeavey. The chairman: No, we should not make the move. . Cr. Ryder 'said he had never beam of such an absurd thing as a body of laymen meeting to discuss and formulate plans without data regard- / ing soundings and such matters to go on. ‘‘What are the soundings?” he

u*sKoti “Nbhody knew,” replied the chairman. At this stage the matter was allowed to drop, it being tacitly agreed that .no action he taken.

Reporting to the meeting of the Manawatu County Council on Tuesday with reference to the recent conference of delegates from the Horowhenua and Manaivatu County Councils and .the Foxton and Shannon Borough. Councils concerning toe Shannon bridge, when assistance was asked in raising a loan for the purpose of diverting the road, which is threatened by a serious erosion m the Manawatu River, just above the bridge on the Foxton-Shamion Road, the county engineer said that so iar no agreement had been arrived at, and it was quite possible that the .road would be closed tor traffic unless a wtop-bank and a road were constructed without further delay- t was decided that the matter of going •un with the deviation of the road near the bridge be left in the hantts of Cr. Barber, with power to act.