SHANNON BRIDGE.

Shannon News, 24 July 1925, Page 3

SHANNON BRIDGE.

LOCAL BODIES MEET

At the recent meeting of the Mana-

watu County Council it was resolved to call a meeting of representatives of the focal bodies interested in the Shannon-Foxton bridge with a viewto discussing the question of where to build the new bridge. The meeting was held at the present bridge site when there were present: Sir J as. Wilson (chairman), and Crs, W. Barber, Wilson, McKelvie, S. Penny, H. Fagan, H. Hunt and Hickfoid (engineer) representing Manawatu County Council), Crs. Wood and Thompson (Foxton Borough Council); Crs. H. (Barber and Whyte, Messrs Anderson (engineer) and Hudson (clerk), Horowhenua County Council; and Mr W. Murdoch (Mayor) and Crs. Butt and Richardson (Shannon Borough Council). On arrival at the site of the present bridge it was noticed that considerable erosion has taken place since the.span was washed away, as much as a chain having gone from where the piles were put in to hold the re maining portion of the bridge. From here the party proceeded along the Makerua Drainage Board's stop bank to the proposed new site, which is near where the Tokomaru stream empties into the Manawatu and is about 1J miles distant from the Shannon main north road. The site is at a bend in the river with a fairly straight stretch of water for about a quarter of a mile.above it, and gives one the impression that it will be as safe a site for a bridge as on any portion of the river in that locality. After a. thorough inspection of the site had been made the parly, returned to the bridge to discuss the position. Sir Jas. Wilson, in opening the discussion,, said two meetings of local bodies interested had been held a; Shannon and at the last meeting it had been unanimously decided u abandon the site of the present bridge. It had been stated that the Government would contribute, but difficulties had come about owing to the newsite not being a main highway and steps were being taken to find out what the Main Highway Board were prepared to do in regard to making the new. site a main highway. Up to the present they did not know what the Board intended doing. They would have to press the Highway Board for something definite. Mr Hudson (County Clerk) had written to the chairman of the Highway Board to try and arrange for representatives to discuss the position with Mr Furkert, but had received no reply. While in Wellington, Sir James said he had taken the opportunity oi discussing the matter with Mr Furkert and he had pointed outthat they were anxious that the road be maintained as a main highway. He had not raised the question of that portion of the road not being a main highway. He said he understood the Horowhenua County Council had decided definitely not to agree to the present bridge site and he thought that all those who had inspected the proposed new site would agree with them. He said the inhabitants of the neighbourhood were anxious for something to be done. He and his party had crossed the river in the punt and they were satisfied it was. not satisfactory, avid he thought an endeavour should be made to get a grant from the Government to enable them to get temporary relief as there should certainly be a better connection. He suggested further that steps be taken to have plans and specifications prepared for a new bridge and have them forwarded to the Main Highways Board and that the Horowhenua County Council attend to this matter. "If the highway Board are not making a move we must help ourselves," he added.

Mr Murdoch said if they could not get a definite statement from the Main Highways Board as to whether the new road to the bridge would * 'be made a highway, they would then have to make representations to the Minister for Public Works.

- Mr Hudson, clerk, Horowhenua County Council, stated that he had written on June 17th trying to arrange a Conference with Mr Furkert, and the ehairman of the Main Highways Board, but up to the present had received no reply. Mr W. E. Barber said he understood this meeting was called to ascertain whether the old bridge site was to be cut out in favour of the new site. Since the last meeting, when it was decided to erect the bridge on the new site there had been an agitation as to what was required/and thus the matter had been held up. Mr Murdoch said he did not think Shannon cared which site they buili on, so long as they- got a bridge quickly.

Mr W. E. Barber then asked Sir James Wilson to take a motion, but the latter said he did not think it was right for him to act as chairman as he thought a representative of the Horowhenua County Council should act in that capacity and Mr Why to then took charge of the meeting.

Mr W. E. Banber then moved and Mr Murdoch seconded, "That if the deputation from the ' Horowhenua County Council to Mr Furkert gets no satisfaction as to what the Highways Board will do to assist, the Council, as the controlling body, be requested to have plans and specifications prepared for a new bridge on No. 3 site as decided at the original meeting at Shannon."—This was carried.

The meeting then terminated with a hearty vote of thanks to the Manawatu: County Council for arranging the meeting.'