MAIN HIGHWAYS.

Shannon News, 18 May 1926, Page 4

MAIN HIGHWAYS.

PROGRESS OF CONSTRUCTION. FIVE AND A-HALF MILES COMPLETED. The work done under the Main Highways scheme was reported upon as follows to the Horowhenua Comity Council on Saturday by the Engineer, Mr W. N. Anderson:--"Owing to the very rough and wet weather, work on the-Main. Highways has been considerably delayed. The survey party are at work on the Otaki-Manakau Bridge Section and plans, etc., are well forward for this section.

"Although delayed by the wet weather good progress is being maintained with the formation work on the Waikanae-Otaki section. Work on the eastern side of the cutting at 1 mile peg is nearing completion. A. week's fine weather should see the cut completed end a start will then be made to metal same. "A start will be made with the formation 5 work between. Otaki Bridge and Tc Horo within the next week or ten days. Work is still held up on the Levin-Shannon section pending a decision being arrived at as to the question of routes. Unless tills question is settled at an early date it will be necessary to discharge a •number of men. "No. 4 crusher is now only working on the day shift and No. 3 crusher will stop work within the next few days. "The bitumen gang lias completed work to the Waikawa railway crossing and a start has been made with the final 18 chains at Kuku. Given two or three fine days the penetration work for the season will be completed. One mile and 10 chains of penetration course lias been put down since last meeting—making a total length for the season (which started on January 20th) of 5J miles or 57,080 square yards, and H miles (15,840 square yards) of top dressing. If the weather improves it is hoped, to still get a considerable length of top dressing completed before closing down. THE KOPUTAROA ROUTE. The chairman said the Engineer had stressed the necessity of deciding on the main highway route in the near future. The Crown Law; Office had given an opinion that when once a poll had been 'taken and a iloan authorised for .a Certain road, that route must be adhered to unless they had legislation permitting the change. Cr. Catley: Does the Highway Board know that? The Chairman: I am giving you the information obtained by the chairman of the District Council from the Crown Law Office, and we can. assume that authority will be given to go on with the work via lhakara very shortly. It is very disconcerting for those who are organising a work of this magnitude, to have these things come across their progress. The work has to be organised months ahead.. The report was adopted.