MAIN HIGHWAYS ACT.

Shannon News, 16 December 1924, Page 3

MAIN HIGHWAYS ACT.

i;HjE COUNTY LOAN.

Oiuiy (five. persons attended me meeting: of ratepayers in tile Parish Hall on Friday . evening, when Mr G. A. Monk, chairman ql the Horo•whenua (County Council, addressed the meeting on the subject of the proposed Main Highways loan. cr. Barber was present, also the County Engineer (Mr W. N, Anderson), anu the County, Clerk (Mr F. H. Hudson). The address was. on the lines, ol mat giv’en at Tqkomajru, on Thursday evening, which was published in the last issue o.f the “News.” Mr Waring Tayior asked what was •the position regarding the ShannonFoxton road. Mr Monk stated this was. not in the scheme. This had come about since. The' allocation of cost of tins road would be borne by the .'.lain Highway Board and by the local bodies affected. Mr Monk stressed the point that, under the proposed scheme, tte Council would be in a position to give a good road for the same money as the present indifferent roads were now costing. In reply to a question he said that increased traffic would mean increased cost.

Asked how near the Council were to its limit in striking a rate, Mr Monk replied there was still a tremendous. margin. He said the project was a well considered one. with a view to keeping the rate down.

Mr Jude asked whether it was intended to widen all the bridges along the route., Mr Monk replied that only the small bridges would be widened. The Waikanae Bridge would be. a new one 18ft wide, while the Otaki and Oliau bridges were, quite sound and the understructure of both, wouid probably- last another fifty years. A hearty yote of thanks, was accorded Mr Monk Tor his' address, which was carried by acclamation. . Mr Monk in thanking the. meeting said he. was sorry there was not more present. He said there were many people who were not cognisant of the facts, and it 'Was to be regretted if these people went tb the poll and not knowing would vote against the proposal for safety. .He said from the meetings he had addressed ratepayers were unanimously in favour of the scheme.