ROADS NORTH OF AUCKLAND.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 26, 1 February 1890, Page 5

ROADS NORTH OF AUCKLAND.

DEPUTATION TO MR MITCHELSON,

A meeting of delegates from the Waitemata, Whangarei, Rodney, and Otamatea County Councils was held fchia morning in. Palmerston Buildings. The business was to brine- before the notice of the Hon. Mr Mitchelson, Minister for Public Works, the question of the construction and maintenance of the Great North Road. Thefollowinc gentlemen were in attendance : Messrs A. Bruce (Chairman), J. McLeod,J. O'Neill, Moffat and Thompson (Waitemata Councillors), m. Browne, T. Gubb, and J. Moore (Rodney County), J. Hemphill, and J. Bovvmar (Otamatea), P. S. Brown (Chairman Whangarei Council), Mr W. P. Moat, M.H.R., Mr Wilson, engineer Waitemata County, Mr O. Mays, and the Hon. E. Mitchelson.

Mr Moafc briefly introduced the representatives to Mr Mitchelson, and also thanked the latter for attending.

Mr E. Browne said that their object; was to bring, before the notice of Mr Mitchelson the question of construction and maintenance of the Great North Road of New Zealand. Their counties had to face a difficulty, for this road went for 40 miles through Rodney, 60 miles through Whangarei, and about 30 miles through Waitemata. It was partially constructed and in some places metalled, but now the income of the various councils was so reduced that those bodies could not even keep in a proper state of repair the portions already constructed. Mr Browne also referred to the Wesu Coast Road, and said that as there were now no unemployed to use up the grant made by the Government he would suggest that tlie money should be handed to the various councils, who could then engage struggling settlers to do the work. Mr P. S. Brown (Whangarei) said Mr Mitchelson was no doubt well aware that it was impossible for the various counties to keep* he road in repair. . Mr Hernphill (Otamatea) said there was 22 miles of the Great North Road going through their county, and as their own rates were decreasing,, his county really could not maintain that road.

Mr Mitchelson said that the Hon. Mr Richardson, Minister for Lands, had wished to come North, bufc the illness of the Premier had made it necessary that he should remain in Wellington. For himself, he quite sympathised with all they had said, as he had experience of the roads north of Auckland, and he had tried to get justice done in the past. The Government were now considering what assistance could be made to the West Coast Councils in the Middle Island, which were now in a financially bad condition. Some scheme would have to be introduced to deal with the matter. At the present time the country was against further borrowing! (applause), and so was he himself. He was aware that the subsidies to local bodies had been largely reduced through the falling off of the revenue. The country, happily, was now in a better position and the revenue was increasing, but the question was whether the Government could render any immediate assistance. The West Coast Road was an important one, and he would see what could be done when he returned to Wellington. They had his fullest sympathy, as he had lived all his life in the North. (Applause.)

Mr Bruce referred to the. fact that the Waitemata Council 'were compelled to keep the main East Coast Road in repair as the mail coach went along it, although there wa9 no settlement on that line of road.

Mr Mitchelson before leaving said that when Mr Richardson came North he would try.and induce him to srp along tho whole length of the Great North Road.

On the motion of Mr McLeo4 a vote of thanks was accorded Mr Mitcbelson, who then withdrew, <.