KOPUTAROA-BUCKLEY ROAD.

Shannon News, 18 September 1923, Page 3

KOPUTAROA -BUCKLEY ROAD.

MUST NOT BE LOST SIGHT OF

A special meeting- of the Council of {he Shannon Chamber of Commerce Was held on Friday evening to consider the report of Mr Anderson, engineer to the Horowhenua County Council as to the cost of completing the unformed portion of the Koputa-roa-Buckley Road, the president (Mr Gunning) presiding. The Engineer’s estimate for the road, which is approximately at 2|.miles in length Is £15„130, which provides for a 20ft road which will also include a bridge 72 ,feet long and a number of large culverts.He considered ij( would be a very expensive one/to maintain for many years to come.

Mr Tippler said what was required was a road similar to the part formed between Shnnon and Buckley and he considered a. 10 ft road would be ample. ' Mr Murray thought a good deal hinged on the Government’s proposed main arterial route. They have to face the .proposal as for a main road. He did not think the cost of maintenance . would be so heavy as for a road with hills and bends. , Mr Thwaites: “The question should nolt be- allowed to cool down.' We must hammer away until we get something definite.” He agreed with the Engineer that a portion of the jonto was a lake, but-, about, a. chain away is a Hood bank and the railway line ran. through the middle of the water, yet they heard, nothing of the extra, cost of “maintenance of either. He was informed a good , solid clay foundation could be. obtained two or three feet down, and if such was the case there was noithingi to be afraid of. Taking everything into consideration the engineer’s estimate certainly appeared to be high.. Mr Fargher agreed with Mr Tippler that a 10 ft road would meet requirements. ' The president said he was sure the ratepayers of the northern and would not favour raising;, a loan of £15,000 for the present, proposal, and he agreed with the suggestion of getting an estimate for a 10 or 12ft road. He said he did not know why such a long Abridge was required. He thought the -estimate was a* high one and could not see where the money came in.

Mr Hyde stated that in conversation with the contractor who formed the road from; Shannon to Buckley he . had been informed that the country at that time was similar Ito the proposed route and they had experienced no difficulty in finding! the bottom, and the maintenance since had been nothing. Finally Mr Tippler moved and Mr Hyde seconded that -it be a recommendation to,the committee who have the work -in hand, that Messrs Broadbelt and Bell, of Kopuitaroa wait, on the Engineer (Mr Anderson) with a view to getting an estimate for a 10ft road formation .-—This was carried.