PUNT AT SHANNON BRIDGE.

Shannon News, 9 December 1924, Page 3

PUNT AT SHANNON BRIDGE.

NOW BEING CONSTRUCTED IN WELLINGTON. TO BE IN OPERATION SHORTLY. Enquiries by the Shannon News from the Horowhenua County Council show that the construction of a punt to establish communication between the Shannon and Foxton sides of the Manawatu river is now well under way, and part of the material was to leave Wellington to-day for tbe site.

Writing to the County Council on November 20 the Highways Board stated that no suitable punt was available in Wellington, but the firm of Messrs S. Wood and Son, shipwrights, had given a satisfactory quotation for the construction of one. This would he pushed forward as expeditiously as possible and the punt would then be re-erected on the landing at Shannon. It was expected that the punt would take three weeks to construct and in the meantime the necessary access roads could be formed, the towers erected and the wire, rope swung into position. A representative of the firm visited the site an Wednesday last and stated that the construction was in hand and some of the parts were expected to arrive at Shannon next Thursday. The County staff has meanwhile been engaged in making a cutting to give access to the river and the local work is to be gone on with as quickly as possible. It is hoped to have the punt in working order before Christmas. It will be operated by a hand winch and cable, the current being utilised to carry it across the river from either side. The size (34 feet by 16 feet) of the punt will permit of two cars, being taken across at once, whilst lorries up to three, tons, loaded will also be carried.