NEWMARKET ROADS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 165, 14 July 1910, Page 6

NEWMARKET ROADS.

S A2v EXPENDITURE! OF #15,000 NECESSARY. The opening- of. the- ; Graffom-rqad bridge has-diverted traffic-from roads within the Parnell district, and taken it through Newmarket. This has rendered necessary the. repairing ,of New-. market streets, and to see what .work "was necessary, and the estimated cost, the Newmarket Borough Council obtained the services of-the City-Engineer (Mr. W. E. Bush'),"-who-last evening forwarded a voluminous-report on the work he considered necessary, and aleo sent plans and specifications for each street. In the first place, he pointed out three alternative routes, all of which were more or less- namely:—(l) Parkroad West, Carlton Gore-road, and Bangstreet into Khyber Pass-road; (2) Parkavenue and Claremont-street, into Khyber Pass-road; and (3) Park-road West and Park-road, to Khyber PassToad, the latter probably taking the heaviest portion. The first route, he considered, would undoubtedly, if properly mended and formed, provide the favourite route for traffic,- as it obviated the necessity of using Khyber Passroad, with its double line of tramway. It "was, however, necessary that if all tie requirements" of' the traffic were to be met, and the best "interests of the torough served, the streets named,: including Khyber Pass-road, should be put in order as soon as possible, and c short length of new street, to continue Carlton Gore-road across the reserve at the junction of Manukauroad and Victoria-crescent, should be formed. It'was also desirable that Parkxoad JSaat should be taken in hand, when these other, and, in his opinion, more important works had ieen completed. The estimated summary of expenditure was set out as follows:—Park-road West, from city boundary to Carlton Gore-road, £2,300; Carlton Gore-road to ■Manuka-u-road, including new piece of road, £3,900; Park-road, from Carlton Gore-road to. Khyber Pass, £1,150; Ehy.ber Paes-road,. £2,875; Parkevenue (borough's proportion), £360; CLiremont-street, £920. Total, £14,955.

TheJMayor (Mr. E. Davis) said it seemed to Mm a most comprehensive report. He thought it reflected great credit on. the C5-ty Engineer. He suggested that they should have a special meeting of the Council to .meet Mr. Bush,, in order that h-e. should be able to explain the plans, and allow them to digest them properly. The question for the Council to decide was whether they should adopt the rvrhole or portion, report; There was no question~that'*the"position of the area, set out in in a very sad state, owing "to" fhe opening of the Grafton-road bridge. The Grafton-road bridge placed them, "in" a, relevant position to Sinbad the Sailor.- Thar" estimate for road construction was £2,000 for the year. Now they could spend'the whole of that - £2,000 on the approaches to the Grafton bridge, and have little or nothing to show at the end of the time. To his mind, their duty was clear. It was practically impossible for them to do this work out of revenue. It would be a permanent job—one requiring capital expenditure on the borough's part, and the only thing for them to do was to meet and discuss the matter and I see what -works should be put before the 1 ratepayers, for them to give authority to raise a loan. He moved that the report and -plans should be received, and a special meeting of the Council be held to consider the same,. Mr. Bush to be invited to explain and give ideas generally. Councillor Teed seconded the motion. Councillor Kinder thought the question should be deferred till after the report of the Greater Auckland Committee had , been received. , Councillors Seeeqmbe andllcColl spoke on the motion, which was carried. The Mayor then moved: 'T/hat the Auckland City Council be thanked for •the jeport and plane forwarded for the improvements to Khyber Pass-road and the roads approaching Grafton bridge, and that they be asked to acknowledge to the City Engineer the special appreciation of this Council for the very comprehensive report on the question submitted 'for his .consideration.'?

Councillor H.: Kinder seconded the motion, which was carried. „ ._ ■