THE SHANNON BRIDGE.

Shannon News, 7 April 1922, Page 3

THE SHANNON BRIDGE.

IN A VERY BAD, STATE,

At Tuesday’s meeting of the Borough Council, Mr R. Edwards, the Borough Engineer, was present, and gave a report as requested on the condition of the bridge over the Manawatu River. He stated that the County Council had evidently not bothered much about the bridge, and it was at present in a very bad state. It had not been painted lor years, and erosion of the banks near the river was great. The next few floods might cause very serious damage indeed. Every day the position was becoming worse, and in view of the great importance of this bridge to Shannon, a move should be made quickly. While the bridge was of great importance to all the local bodies concerned, the effect of a dislocation of traffic would be felt by Shannon considerably, its trade and commerce largely depending on it. The County Council were failing in their duty if they neglected the matter. To move the road and build stop-banks was useless so far as the erosion was concerned, and was only a temporary measure at-the .best. He would suggest that he draw a plan of the locality and place it before the Council" with a further report, so that they might become fully conversant with the position.

The Mayor said that a letter had been sent to the County Council some three weeks age/, but so far they had had no reply. Probably they had not met since receiving the letter, and it would appear that either they had no one in authority to attend to urgent business. between meetings, or were dilatory. He suggested waiting a little longer for a reply, and if none came to hand, to arrange with Mr Edwards to draw a plan and submit the whole matter to the Minister of Public Works.

This course was agreed to, and also that the local bodies be written to again and asked for an immediate r?ply.