MANUKAU ROAD SCHEME.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 149, 24 June 1919, Page 4

MANUKAU ROAD SCHEME.

« APPEAL FOR STATE HELP. A deputation consisting of Messrs. A. D. Bell (chairman), S. W. House (member), and W. J. Lopdell (engineer) of the Manukau County Council waited on. the Minister of Public 'Works yesterday afternoon with a request for a Government subsidy in respect of a loan it -was proposed to raise for the purpose of laying down the main roads of the county with tar. The deputation -was introduced by Sir Frederick Lang, M.P. It was explained t>- the members of the deputation that at an early date the County Council proposed to borrow for the purpose of improving the whole of the county roads. The estimated cost of tarring the Mangere Riding roads was £30,000, and in the Wairoa Riding £40,000, while the Council was also considering an £S,OOO loan for the necessary road machinery to carry out the echeme. Sir William Fraser replied that to ask him to pledge the 'Dominion's security j for works that would last two or three i years was impracticable and wrong, ! especially on the eve of a general elec- ; titfn. But if they would indicate to j him what roads they -wished to construct during the next summer, and furnished an estimate 0f the cost, then, provided it did not exceed the amount he was allowed to allocate he -would do it. The deputation explained that the first part the Council intended to undertake was from the Mangere Bridge to the railway crossing at Otahuhu and Buckland Road, a total distance of about six miles, at a cost of £0.000. The 'Minister: That means a subsidy of £4,000 or £5,000. which is reasonable. Although I cannot definitely ; promise that you will get it, I think it I is very probable.