LAND SYNDICATES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 167, 13 July 1912, Page 10

LAND SYNDICATES.

AND BADLY 'FORMED ROADS. TAK'APCKA A. AN" ILLUSTRATION. The number of blind and badly-formed roads which exist in the Takapuna riding -lis yesterday 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 so 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 matte, hard been brought under his notice. He readily approved the Council's suggestion, and took the opportunity of remarking that it was a very great pity indeed that the Council had not been more particular in preventing the construction of 'blind roads. In recent years, Auckland syndicate, had been operating extensively in Takapuna; buying and cutting up land to their own benefit, 'but doing it in a way which was quite detrimental to the district. Mr. Brett urged that the members 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 at Takapuna, and so take the district out of the jurisdiction of the County Council, had, he said, originated mainly because the residents strongly resented what was happening. The conditions laid down by the by-law... 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 •reading or formation work, and blind road, should be absolutely prohibited. The County 'by-laws demanded that certain conditions should be complied with, and set it forth that blue metal 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. The footpaths had also to receive a coating of approved ash or metal chip.., to _ width of Bft and a depth of three inches. If the Council visited the district, its member- 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 the member for the riding or of the engineer, but the present condition of the Takapuna roads clearly indicated that someone was to blame. Mr. Brett urged that the roads, especially those lea-ling to the beach, should be reduced, and the paths made from 12ft to 14ft wide. The Takapuna rOßidtent. were desirous of making this district a model suburb, and asked for the assistance of the Council. Mr. Adams stated that in every case where roads had been .made he had asked the engineer, and hadi his assurance that the conditions had been oompHed 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 Jhink there would be any cause for complaint in the future. The chairman (Mr. A. 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, [The above appeared in part of our Friday's edition.]