THE SHANNON BRIDGE.

Shannon News, 15 August 1922, Page 2

THE SHANNON BRIDGE.

WILL BE AFFECTED BY BANKING

SCHEME,

COUNTY ENGINEER’S OPINION

The' bridge over the Manawalu Rivei at 'Shannon was again discussed by the Horownenua County Council on Saturday, when the Shannon Borough Council lor warded a letter it had received lroni the Minister of Public Works in lelerence to protective works for the bridge. The Minister stated that if the "‘local bodies cannot come to an/amicable arrangement over the matter, it was suggested the liorowhenua County Council should apply lot the setting up of a commission to inquire into the matter. Cr. Monk, chairman, said the Council had not decided to hold a commission. TDo County Engineer (Mr Anderson) was making a survey to submit to the District‘’Engineer of the Public Works Department, and until that was completed’ they could not take any action. Cr. Ryder: How long will that take? The chairman: Not long. Cr. Ryder: The Council is taking a risk, and the Council should know it. Cr. Harkness said a Commission was the right way to go about the matter so long as there was no heavy expense.

The chairman staled that the County Council controlled the bridge, and there was no need lor Shannon to interfere. The County Council was doing till that was necessary just now by having a survey made by its Engineer. When that was completed a conference would be held with the district engineer and a report made. They could not ask lor a Commission until they had grounds for doing so. The Shannon Council said that the danger lay on the east side of the bridge, but the County Engineer considered the danger on the west side. The Engineer said it was hard to tell what, would happen when the banking scheme was completed, and the body of water in flood time confined to a narrow bed. There would' then be danger of the river breaking through the* embankments on the west side.

The letter from the Shannon Borough Council was received.; .i Cr. Ryder considered that the bridge was threatened, and they would find it out if they' got a big flood.