MAIN HIGHWAYS BOARD.

Shannon News, 16 April 1929, Page 3

MAIN HIGHWAYS BOARD.

A VISIT TO SHANNON. The Main Highways Board consisting of Messrs C. J. McKenzie (acting chairman), J. J. Gibson, M. H. Wynyard, J. Wood, accompanied by Mr A. Tydnall (engineer) and W. A. Sutherland (secretary) visited Shannon on Friday and were met by the Mayor (Mr E. Butt) and Crs Curran sen., J. Currau jun., A. E. Hyde, R. Dorvnes and T. C. Tkwaites.

The Council had’ previously notified the Board that they -would ask them to permanently tar-seal the main highway through the borough and reform and tar-seal Sheehan street.

The Mayor, after welcoming the visitors, outlined the proposed work . and asked that the Board carry it out and contribute 75 per cent, of the cost thereof, the Council to find the balance of the money. Cr. Hyde, in supporting the proposal, said that due to the great increase of through traffic the maintenance costhad been mounting up year by year and at present stood, at a very high figure. Even with the Board’s present subsidy it was as much as the borough could carry: In spite of the heavy maintenance the metal was getting tliiner and it appeared that before long the road must fall into bad repair if it was not sealed. The present cost of maintenance capitalised, would do the work, and leave both the Board, and the borough in a better position. ‘ The present Council were unanimously of the opinion that 25 per cent of the cost was the utmost that the borough could carry and-in this .hey were ask- j ing no more than the Horowhenua County had received. A member of the Board: “The County did a lot of owrk on the £1 for £1 basis also.”

Cr. Hyde; “It appears that those whe wait the longest the most and* 1 we certainly need it.” Cr. •'Thwaites pointed out to the Board the possibility of unemployment in Shannon, this winter and urged that the Board put in hand the work of straightening and widening of the Ihakara Hill.

The chairman ef the -Board replied that, tin; Horowhenua County Council had also stressed this point and it rvas cloAvn for consideration. In regard to the Council’s requests in connection Avith the main high-way through the borough these also would be fully considered, but the Council must remem-, ber that there Avere many other boroughs seeking the same concession and that the Board’s finance Avas limited. The Board Avas then thanked for meeting the Council and the party proceeded on to Foxton.