THE PUNT PROBLEM.

Shannon News, 13 July 1926, Page 2

THE PUNT PROBLEM.

“A ITAPPY RELEASE.” Tlie hoary problem of the Shannon punt was. again before the Horowhenua County Council on Saturday, the chairman (Cr. Monk) reporting that the Manawatu County Council were willing to take over the punt, and the No. 9 District Highways Council were agreeable that it should he so handed over. Cr. Barber said it was a happy release, but still lie could not let the matter go at thai, without expressing his views. It was, he, thought, rather Showing a weakness* —an admission that the Horowhenua County Council could not control the punt, nor keep up to the requirements demanded by the public. It. made tlie speaker feel that, tlie northern end of the County was not receiving the ■ attention it should, and he contended that it was because of neglect that the Council should have to call upon another local body to take over something the Horowhenua County Council could not maintain. The Chairman agreed that there was a good deal in what Cr. Bather had said. Cr. .Barber: There is.so! The Chairman: Apparently we were not giving satisfaction. Cr. Barber: We were not trying! The Chairman disagreed, adding that lie had been as much worried over the Shannon punt as anything, buit with all the work and worry, the Council did not appear to, have got anywhere near a solution. The Manawatu County had experience in dealing with punts. Cr Catley: I would like -Cr. Barber to specify in what particular way the Cpuncil were not trying? Apart from anything else, Nature took a hand, and floods came down after which there was a deposit, of something like 18 inches or two feet or silt, which had to be carted away. I know -there has been a weakness, but. this has been in the direction of administration. With a little tact it could have been controlled much better than it has been. The man on the punt has been subjected to a good deal of pin-pricking, and I was glau to see him at the, conference beween the two local bodies, and after a talk he was quite convinced of the extent to which tlie Council was responsible to the general public, and that it i been quite right in cahmg him t order. If lie went to football matches leaving tlie punt to its own devices, well, Ave had a right to admonish him, but. the engineer should have spoken to him before. The man had been expected to put in seven days a Aveek on the jOb-that was the tiou--1 ble I know something of the cir- . cumstances and I don’t believe the ManaAvatu County Council will do ! any better than AVe-unless they Avcnt about it in a different Avay. Cr. Barber: There Ave.re various suggestion that the engineer should try and carry out, but, he didn’t do so . Cr Ryder: Possibly, there is something in AVhat C,r. Barber says about our shoAving the Avhite feather, hut we have taken the best Avay outThe" chairman said lie smccrcl, hoped the punt Avould give satisfaction, he would not have taken tin action unless he thought it would P J vide a solution of tlie difficulty. - 1 - moved that subject to tlie Highway Board agreeing this Council agree tc the ManaAvatu County Council takm 0 over the punt. Cir. Barber: You said you had the sanction of this Council to make this offer. That is not. on record. Tlie Chairman: -It is not on record, hut I took the feeling ol the meeting Cr. Barber said he did not AVish to - discuss the matter too 0P eill Y> . cause the engineer Avas absent, lm speaker said lie Avas of the opinion : /that the councillors did not take sub ficient interest in tlie County as a whole. There was too much selt about- it. , . \ • The Chairman: That- may have, been tiie case at one time, hut during the past t.Avelve months there has been an improvement. Councillors are taking more interest in the County as a whole. Tliat has been .brought about by Committee Avork. "cr. Barber: It, might be coming, but I can’t,, see it yet, Cr. Catley remarked that if Cr. Barber thought there were matters not receiving attention, he should bring them before the Works Committee. THIE COST OF Till/ PUNT.

The Main Highways Board requested payment of £305 3s ll)d, representing the County’s quarter share of ill e cost of erecting the Mana\yat-u River punt, less work done amounting to £239 2s Id. * . Qouncillors expressed _ surprise at. the amount of the claim, but the chairman said the Manawatu County Gouncil had expended £690 in acquiring land and -making a road for the approach on their side. The County Treasurer was not quite satisfied, with the details given of the account and on the chairman’s motion it was lett to Mr Hudson to request further particulars.