ROADING WERAITE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7787, 4 July 1904, Page 3

ROADING WERAITE.

Discussion at Special Meeting

of County Council,

At the special meeting of the County Council, held on Saturday afternoon, a deputation consistins* of Mosers C. A. Pownall and M, C. O'Conncll and C, E. Daniell attended in refei'enco to matters connected with roading Wcraite. Mr Pownall, who acted as spokesman for the deputation, stated that it had been suggested that Mr Daniell's tramway should be allowed to remain in places where it ran along the road line. One of the reasons was that it would be of utility in carrying metal for the roads. He also asked that Mr Daniell be given a license for five years for the line. Mr Pownall pointed out that Mr O'Connell and himself were willing to let the lines remain if the Council would accept tho four or live feet they covered as part of the fifteen feet of formation that was required. To leave the rails would be of enormous advantage to settlers for hauling timber, etc., apart from metalling the roads. It would be of no advantage to himself and Mr O'Connoll for the lines to remain, as their interests in the place would probably cease in a few months. On the other haud, if the rails were pulled up that part of the road would be formed, and they would be savins: the cost that would otherwise be entailed. However, they did not wish to impede the Council or Mr Daniell in any matter that might be of advantage to them. Mr Pownall further pointed out that the idea of leaving the line was first suggested by Mr McLachlan, the County Engineer. Cr Morris asked if the Engineer considered the road would be wide enough if the line was left. Mr Pownall said Mr McLachlan thought it would. He pointed out that they would have to widen the curves more or less. Iv supporting the request of the deputation, Cr Beetham pointed out that the tramway had been surveyed many years ago, and the bsst available grade had been selected. It would be difficult for them to get a good grade without following the tramline. The Chairman asked if the deputation requested the Council to commit themselves to a guarantee for a period of five years. Mr Pownall said that all they asked was to dedicate the roadway with the line accepted as part of the formation, and that Mr Daniell be granted a license. Any subsequent arrangements would have to be made between Mt Daniell and the Council. Cr Morris asked Mr Pownall if all he wanted \yas a guarantee that he would not be asked to form the five feet. Mr Pownall said this was so. Cr Harris wanted to know where the advantage for metalling, etc., would come in if Mr Daniell at any time exercised his right to remove ths rails. Mr Pownall said that by che time Mr Daniell's mill was cut out the roads would be metalled, and the tramline would not then lie wanted. Mr Daniell pointed out that the tramline only ran along the road for a distance of about a mile and a-balf. The deputation then withdrew. Cr Welch moved that the request of the deputation be granted, that Mr Daniell be given a license, and that the Council accept ten feet of formation in place ot fifteen.

Cr Beetham seconded. He thought that iv granting the request they would be acting in the interests of the settlers. An opportunity had presented itself for opening up the country, and it was to their interest to forward the matter. He hoped to see the road carried further, and more land thrown open.

JVu' Cameron thought, as it only aflectsd oue and a-half miles of road, it was not a very important matter to the Council, but more so to the miller, and no doubt this was the object of the five years' license. If the Council had the option of '■ throwing the line over the bank next day," it would not affect them much. Sα long as they did not bind themselves in any way, he would not oppose the request. lie did not wish to see Mr Daniell handicapped.

Cr JJeetham pointed out that although the roads had not yet been dedicated to the Council, it was necessary for them to give an assurance that the line could remain on the road where it followed the same line. They were simply forestalling matters a little, as the roads would soon be handed over to them. If they did not grant the request it would mean that Mr Daniell's mill would be closed down, and he would be sjrry to see this.

Cr <'anieron said that even if the mill was not closed down it would be better for the Council to ailou" the tram-line to remain than for the road to be cut up with wheel traffic.

Cr Harris expressed the opinion that they had not power to grant the license until the roads were dedicated.

The Chairman held the same opinion, and thought they should act cautiously. "While not antagonistic in any way to Mr Daniel], they had to consider what view the settlers would take. They object to the line being left there. He did not want to create a nuisance.

Cr Welch said the line would not ba any more of a nuisance than '" those infernal gato3" on the road. He expressed the opinion that the Council -would have no difficulty in dealing with Mr Darnell. He wa3 a man of his word, and would always meet them. If the request was not grunted. Me Daniell would suffer. The Chairman said in dealing with questions of this kind, he put all private feelings on one side. They must deal with it from a public point of view. Personally, he was in syrnpafhy with Mr Daniel!. Cr Welch : Then you must deal with those gates from a public point of view also. The Chairman : That is another matter. Mr Canijron suggested that the words " subject to such conditions as the Council might impose " bs added to the resolution. Ke thought this would be sufficient safeguard for the Council. The Clerk stated the Act safeguarded them on that point. The Chairman thought they should think over the matter before deciding. If there bad been no special meeting, they would have had to have waited, and he did not think any great hardship would be inflicted on anyone in deferring it till their ordinary meeting. He would not be a party to committing themselves in a hurry, Cr Beethatu stated that if the amendment was carried it might cause serious difficulties.

On being put to the meeting the amendment was carried.

It was decided to get the opinion of the County solicitor as to the advisability of granting the request on the conditions mentioned.