 | WHAT THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL ARE DOING.
In August of last year, as a result of an agitation that had been proceeding for some time, that portion of the Horowhenua County known as the Town of Shannon was converted into a borough. Those who have watched the district's progress for some years predict for it a prosperous future. A council consisting of Messrs. W. Murdoch (Mayor), B. Spencer, S. W. Carter, J. H. Fargher, W. H. Gunning, T. Gardner, G. Hook, M. Moynihan, and J. Richardson was elected, and its members held their first meeting on 22nd August, 1917. To Mr. Murdoch the honour of being first Mayor of the town belongs. He had formidable opposition for the position, being opposed by Mr. Hennessey, chairman of the Foxton Harbour Board, who had shortly prior to the contest taken up his residence in Shannon. Mr. Murdoch was born in Invercargill, and is known in Wellington and elsewhere for his strong political leanings to the Labour cause, and it is more than hinted that he intends to contest the new seat, which will include Foxton; Shannon, Tokomaru, etc., at the next general election. EXTENT OF THE BOROUGH.
The extent of the new borough is approximately 900 acres, and when the last valuation was made by the County Council, some years ago now, this area was valued at £117,000. When the new valuation is made it may probably be nearly double that amount. THE COUNCIL WILL MARK TIME.
It is the council's intention, according to the Mayor, to mark time for the present, the main object being to keep the borough clean, and the rates as low as possible until the war is over. As soon as convenient after that a loan will be raised for the inauguration of a water supply and drainage scheme. So far as water is concerned, a splendid supply is available in close proximity to the town, and this scheme should not be a great expense to the borough. THE QUESTION OF DRAINAGE.
To provide drainage for Shannon it is stated that natural conditions are again favourable, and with small expense a good fall to the lake can be obtained. RATING.
The rating will be on the capital value, and the first rate struck, for which the notices are shortly going out, will amount to one penny halfpenny in the pound. In addition to this there is a small levy for sanitary services. It is evident the councillors will not countenance, anything in the shape of rash expenditure in any direction until peace is declared. ELECTRICAL POWER SCHEME.
It is generally agreed that there are immense possibilities in Shannon's future. Mention has frequently been made of the possibilities that are latent in the hills at the back of the town in the way of procuring, at a comparatively small cost, a supply of electrical power which would suffice not only for the flaxmills in the locality, but also for lighting power for towns all along the Manawatu Line, as well as for Foxton and Palmerston North. To those who may feel interested in the source from which it is proposed to obtain such energy, a short description of the Mangahao River and the proposed route may be of interest. The Mangahao is a tributary of the Manawatu River ...It rises in the Tararua Mountains and flows in a northerly direction through an elevated gorge in the hills adjoining the parent river near Woodville. The banks are very high, and are covered with beautiful virgin bush. In many places the rocks rise to a great height on either side of the stream, thus giving facilities for the erection of the necessary dams for the head works. The Tokomaru River, which is also included in the scheme has a parallel course, being separated from the Mangahao by a high range. The scheme briefly consists of diverting the Mangahao through a tunnel, and taking the combined waters through, a tunnel or series of tunnels to a point at the extremity of the range near the Shannon East road, about two miles and a half from the township, and at a very high level. Thence the water would be carried in pipes to the foot of the range, where the turbines and power-houses would be situated. Having performed its service, the water would return to the Manawatu River via the Otarau stream, which flows into the ... >> continued in part 2 - below<< |
| Manawatu about a mile west of Shannon. The Mangahao as a source of hydro-electric energy had long been known to Shannon residents; and as a result of constant and persistent agitation on the part of Mr. W. H. Gunning and one or two enthusiasts in the district, Mr. Hayes, one-time Government engineer, investigated the subject and submitted a report to the Government, from which it was gathered that a scheme to generate 3500 horse-power would cost £43,000, and by damming the two streams 9000 h.p. could be obtained at a cost of £80,000. If the two streams were connected 14,000 h.p. would be available at a cost of £120,000. This last-mentioned proposal would enable Palmerston North to participate. The flaxmills in the Shannon district assessed their probable requirements at 3000 h.p. However, nothing further has been done, and the scheme remains as one of the many to be pushed on with after the war. As far as it has gone Mr. Gunning, seems to have been the moving spirit. In conjunction with a former resident of Shannon, Mr. G. N. Engels, he has had various interviews with adjacent boroughs and Chambers of Commerce on the subject, and it is hoped that at no distant date the scheme will be an accomplished fact, and the town of Shannon and district will gain immensely in importance.<<continued in part 3 >> |
| Mr. G. P. Anderson, Assistant Electrical Engineer to the Public Works Department, is now visiting the district, and, with a staff, is engaged in locating the routes of transmission lines connecting the West Coast line with the bush Wairarapa district. In the course of an interview with a pressman, Mr. Anderson said he was investigating before deciding on any special scheme, or deciding 6n any actual work. Three supply schemes were under consideration, one from the Mangahao stream, the Waikaremoana, and from the Waikato, but it was likely that the Mangahao scheme would be taken first; however, that was not certain, and should not be taken as a promise. There is no room for our lines through the gorge, said Mr. Anderson, and we have to tackle the hills. Lines were now running to Wellington and Wanganui, and if the Mangahao is adopted, lines would run as far south as Carterton, and to Dannevirke in the north, and all intermediate places would be supplied. The power-house would be at Shannon and probably Woodville would be made a sub-distributing station A GOVERNMENT BEQUEST.
Shannon Is sadly lacking in the matter of endowments, but there is one valuable property in the town known as the Mechanics' Institute, which was granted to the people on petition by the short-lived Mackenzie Government. This building is used as a library and council chambers, and was originally the G.P. O. It is situated on Plimmer terrace, and adjacent to the new post office, serving to illustrate the advancement of Shannon. A MAGNIFICENT VIEW.
From the range of mountains at the back of the town a magnificent view of the whole country-side can be obtained on a clear day. Feilding, Foxton, Otaki and Palmerston North are plainly seen, and the great Manawatu River in all its winding, silvery course to the sea. A motor can be driven right to the top of the mountains. FLAXMILLING AND DAIRYING.
The industries of flaxmilling and dairying have been important factors in the district's progress. A large cooperative butter factory is situated in the township, and in conjunction with it a co-operative store for the exclusive benefit of suppliers is run under the management of Mr. J. Murray. Mr. E. Law is chairman of directors of the company, and in that capacity has done splendid work. PRICE OF LAND.
Some of the finest land in the Dominion is to be found along the Manawatu, and £50 to £70 per acre is the price asked for that on the flats near Shannon. A WORKERS' SCHEME.
A co-operative store will shortly be opened in Balance street by the workers of Shannon. Shares in this are £10 each, and no person is allowed to take up more than one. Mr. Murdoch, the Mayor, inaugurated the scheme. Mr. A. C. Hellier is chairman, and already 87 shares have been allotted. The shop is to be opened during the present month. |
