KOPUTAROA—SHANNON DEVIATION.

Shannon News, 1 April 1926, Page 3

KOPUTAROA—SHANNON DEVIATION.

DEPUTATION TO HIGHWAYS BOARD. PUBLIC WORKS REPORT TO BE HASTENED. ' A meeting of the Council of No. 9 Highways District was held in Palmerston North yesterday, Mr J. Hannah, district engineer, presiding. Other members present were Messrs J Batcheiar (Kairanga County), G. A. Monk (Horowhenua), L. T. McLean (Kiwit-ea), A. J. McKay (Hutt), W. E. Beech (Makara), H. W. Smart (Pohangina). A deputation comprising Messrs 1. C. Thwattes (Shannon Borough Council), A. E. Hyde (Shannon Chamber of Commerce), R. Spiers (Shannon). C. H. Hood and W. Kilsby (Ko-puta-roa), waited upon the Council in connection with the, proposal that the main highway between Levin and Shannon should go through Koputa-t-oa and by a new road constructed through the swamp between Koputaroa and ,Shannon.

Mr Hyde remarked that it was apparent a mistake had been made in taking the main highway over the [hakara Hill, and that not sufficient consideration had been given to the swamp route. The Ihakara Hill was a costly one, while the proposed route ,vas shorter and practically level. There were about two miles ol the suggested route not formed, but the settlers were prepared to give the required land free.. It meant a great deal for Shannon people to get tins road through.- It had been said, that, die road would be subject to flood, but this might be avoided by a litt.e extra, building up. Koput.aroa had no exit northward, -except by a roundabout route. He felt assured the advantages of the -new route were apparMr W. Kilsby (Koputaroa) also urged the swamp route which, he said, would cut two miles out of the distance between Levin and Shannon There was a scheme under woy by which fear from flood would be cut out. The Public Works Department were preparing an estimate of he work, and when this was done, the settlers would like the Board to gne {lie matter careful consideration The Chairman: But doesn’t the; road climb hills at Heatherlea.? You state the road is level. , , Cr Monk stated that if a report wa. to be brought down, it Should he foi the cost srom Heatherlea comer t Shannon and not from Kopu area to Shannon.- This would allow of 4 conparison of the, two roads. The County. engineer had already given -m estimate ot the cost. The deputation was afraid the highways work won d he so far advanced that their elamio would be overlooked. All they wished at present was that the iepoH should be expedited. The deputation then .withdrew. Cr. Smart asked what the opinion of the Horowhenua County was on the matter. Cr. Monk replying that the members were divided. He wuuld welcome a report by the Public Works Department. It was decided to ask the Depai - merit to hurry with the report. The next meeting of the Council will be held on April 27.