LAND SYNDICATES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 166, 12 July 1912, Page 2

LAND SYNDICATES.

ANI>~BADXY FOKME&ROADS. TAKAPUNA >AS AN ILLUSTRATION. The number of blind and badly-formed roads which exist in the Takapuna riding was this morning the subject of discussion at the ordinary monthly meeting of the Waitemata County Council. Mr. Brett had been asked -by the Council to 'forego ownership of a piece of land adjacent to the Old Lake Town Road, as by --o doing it would be possible to obviate the construction of a blind road. Mr. Brett attended this morning's meeting, and expressed his pleasure that the matter had been brought under his notice, lie readily approved the Council* suggestion, and took the opportunity of remarking that it was a very gTeat pity indeed that the Council had not been more particular in preventing the const ruction of blind road-. In recent years, Auckland syndicates had been operating extensively in Takapuna, buying and cutting up land to their own*'benefit, 'but doing it ill a way which was quite detrimental to j tin- district. Mr. Brett urged that the member-, of the Council should personally visit Takapuna. and see for themselves the kind of thing that had been going on. The proposal to form a borough al Takapuna, and co take the district out of the jurisdiction of the County Council, bad. he said, originated mainly because the residents strongly relented what was happening. The conditions laid down by the by-laws were being evaded, and in the sub-division of properties there were roads which the County had to take over, which would cost thousands of pounds to put in proper repair. Practically no -attempt was made at grading or formation work, and blind Toads should be absolutely prohibited. The County 'by-laws demanded that, certain conditions should be complied with, and set it. forth that blue in.-till had to be placed in the centre of the roadway to a •width of 18ft and a depth of seven inches, or hard scoria to a width of 24ft and a depth of nine inches. 'Hie footpaths -had also to receive a ting of approved ash or metal chips, to a width of Bft and a depth of three inches. If the Council visited the district, its members -would have their eyes opened as to the manner in which the work had been carried out. He did not know whether it was the fault of tin- member for the riding -or of the engineer, but the present condition of the Takapnna roods 'clearly indicated that someone was to blame. Mr. Brett urged that the roads, especially those leading to the beach, should be reduced, and the paths made from 12ft to 14ft wide. The Takapuna residents were desirous of making this district a model suburb, and asked for the assistance of the Council. Mr. Adams stated that in every ease where roads had been made he had asked the engineer, and had his assurance that the conditions had been complied with. Nothing had been passed without the approval of the engineer. The engineer, Mr. Jackson, admitted that there had been some trouble in the past, and there had been considerable bother with the numerous syndicates ■which, had cut -up land in the district, ] They were now seeing that the conditions were stringently applied, and he did not think there would ho any cause for complaint iv the future. The chairman (Mr. -V. Cochrane) and other members also referred to the need for enforcing the by-laws, and it was decided that as many members of the Council as -possible should visit the district.