THE SHANNON BRIDGE.

Shannon News, 19 August 1927, Page 4

THE SHANNON BRIDGE.

MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL IS CAUTIOUS At yesterday's meeting of the Manawatu County Council, official intimation was received from the Main Highways Board that the work of constructing the new bridge over the Manawatu river to reinstate the connecting link between Shannon and "Foxton had commenced and that the total estimated cost, including road approaches, was £30,932. The Boards* letter set out that>the estimated cost ot the bridge was £23,662, of wnieh amount the Main Highways Board would pay £13,442, leaving £10.2?0 to be contributed by the local authort'es in the following proportions:— Shannon Borough, 1/12, not exceeding £BSO Foxton Borough, 1/12, not exceeding £BSO and the balance equally by the Horowhenua and Manawatu County Coun r cils. Provided that in the event of the cost' of the bridge exceeding the estimate, two-thirds of such excess shall be paid .by the Highways Board and the remaining one-third In equal proportions by the Horowhenua and Manawatu County Councils In addition, it is proposed to construct the two new approach roads. The estimated cost of that In the Horowhenua County is £4S4O, which shall be borne in equal proportions by the Board and the Horowhenua County, and the estimated cost of that in the Manawatu C mnty is £2430, which shall be borne e.i-iady bv the Board and the Manawatu County.

Both in the case of the bridge and the road approach in the Horowhenua County the Minister of Public Works shall be the constructing authority, whilst the Manawatu County will act as constructing authority for the road approach in the Manawatu County.

"A commencement has been made v;ilh the construction of the bridge," stated the letter, "and it is essential, before the work proceeds further, for the Board to have an unconditional resolution from the Manawatu County

agreeing to the terms.' The chairman (Cr. W. E.-Barber) did not think the council should move too hurriedly, and as the Horowhenua County was more interested, a conference of the two counties Bhould be held before the necessary resolution was passed . The County Clerk pointed out that the council -had no warrant as yet. „ authorising the raising of a loan to pay for the county's share of the cost, and the council dould not -very well commit itself to the scheme until It was assured of the money. It was agreed to hold the letter over pending a conference with the Horowhenua County Council.