THE SHANNON PUNT.

Shannon News, 16 November 1926, Page 3

THE SHANNON PUNT.

STEEL STRUCTURE REQUIRED.

That the Shannon punt is not a punt but a bxx, and far from efficient, was the' view expressed at last meeting of the Manawatu County Council. The punt and its operations on the Manawatu river has been the subject of considerable discussion at several Council tables, and the position as to control and management is still .far from satisfactory.

Mr E. Spring, the ferrynian in charge of the punt, submitted the following report: — "The punt has been working very •satisfactorily and continously except for three days in October. The engine and pumps are very satisfactory, but the emergency flaps are too short. The lamps supplied were very unsuitable, as they did not show sufficient light. Since the flood and the damage to the Wirokino road, a great deal more traffic had been dealt with and a very strenuous time had been experienced. On the night of October 18th the punt was taken over the river by some person unknown end left stranded on the bank, and it took fpur hours, with outside help to get it back again. The ferryman suggested the erection of a notice notifying prosecution for any one interfering with the punt. A pair of rubber waders were required to handle the puiit when near the banks." In discussing the position the chairman (Cr. Barber) stated that although the Council was acting in the capacity of controlling authority over the opjera-' tions of the punt, it had not yet received the authority to control it He proceeded to review the many difficulties which the settlers had to contend with in being transported across the, river. Motor cars had been damaged and generally the punt was unsatisfactory. ■ ■'. , The County Clerk (Mr, Drew) mentioned that •."he Public- Works Engineer had advised that the builders were prepared to pay £SOO for the punt when it was was finished with. A steel punt would be more serviceable and less costly. It would cost between £2OO and £3OO to provide a steel structure.

The chairman: The trouble about the punt is that it is a great big box and not a punt. A steel structure would certainly overcome the difficulty of the flaps. The present punt could_not bo used for cattle,', although I can well remember when we used to send wild cattle across in punts in the early days. No trouble was experienced then, but t)-day it was not/possible to use the existing punt for stock. The County Engineer suggested building a steel pant and advertising the old structure, for £fale. >

It was suggested that the Council should approach the Public Works Department with a request that they take over the punt for £SOO, but it was pointed put that the Council - could not do anything until it had been granted control of the punt by the Main Highways Board., Following further discussion it was decided' to leave the whole matter in the hands of the chairman for action and report.