THE SHANNON PUNT.

Shannon News, 12 May 1925, Page 2

THE SHANNON PUNT.

SIIANNUN ML ST. CONTRIBUTE TU MAINTENANCE. “NOISE WILL NOT BUILD’ BRIDGES." At Saturday’s meeting otf tlie liOiOwhenua County Council, the following letter in regard to the punt across the Manawatu river at Shannon was received from,tlie Maui liighw.uy Guard:

•The Main Highway Board have decided to increase tne suosidy towards the cost ot tlie installation, o. the punt over (he Manawatu River from one-third to one-half. The total cost of the punt and approaches thereto was £1509 and tlie Board request that tlie matter of allocation of cost be referred to the Not 9 District Highways Council for its recommendation.” “This matter was brought before tile No. 9 District Highways Council at its meeting on the 20th ultimo and it was decided to submit the suggested allocation to tlie various Councils concerned for their approval. “At the meeting 1 suggested dividing the total amount into twelfths. Tlie proportions would be—Highways •Board, six-twelfths; Manawatu; County two-twelfths; Horowhenua County, two-twelfths; Foxton Borough, onetwelfth; Shannon Borough, one-tweh I tit. But as I do not see how we can bring the Shannon Borough into the question seeing that they were not a contributing body to the original bridge, I am afraid that Shannon’s twelfth will have to be cut up amongst the other local bodies concerned.” Tlie chairman said that as far as the punt was concerned the executive of the District Council conferred with tlie Highways Board and decided to hand the punt over to the Horowhenua County. The question as to whether a charge be made was apparently left to the local bodies concerned. When the Board had gone into this matter it was felt that the cost of issuing tickets, etc., would be more than it was worth. He would suggest that figures be obtained from the man operating the punt as to toe traffic using it. They could then go into tile matter of’ a charge with toe Manawato. County which was anxious that a charge should be made. Apparently it was not at present possible to toad Shannon with a sfiarc of the maintenance cost, as according to the Commission which had been set up, they had not been constituted a contributing body. It was open to the Horowhenua County Council to apply for another Commission, which would bring Shannon into line.

Cr. Harkness suggested that Shannon users might be charged a roll whilst those from otlie.r parts who contributed to. the cost, go free. Tlie chairman; I would not be the man on the, punt for a good lot. (Lau- < filter). ” The chairman said that although £ISOO seemed a lot for a temporary structure, anyone who saw the work necessary would he convinced that the cost was not over great. Tlie main thing now was whether steps should be taken to bring .Shannon in. That Borough had contributed to the erection of the bridge in tlie first place, but not to maintenance. It was possible that the Main Highways Board would be able to make a new allocation of. responsibility, but if not an Order-in-Gouncil would be necessary.

Gr. Broadbelt said that it was only right- that an application should be made for a commission to include Shannon. There was no part of the County which benefited more directly than did Shannon and they should pay. Gr. Ryder said that he would like to see the Shannon people go free for one reason: they had hammered a,way at the protection' of this bridge for years and this should be credited to them.

The chairman: Did they ever do anything more than make a. noise. If bridges could be built with noise, they could have erected two bridges across the river in place ol the old one.

It was decided to take a toll for a week on the punt to determine if it would be worth while to make a charge. It was further determined dial if Shannon were not willing to contribute to maintenance, a Commission be asked for, for the purpose of bringing tbe Borough in.