ROAD CONSTRUCTION.

Auckland Star, Volume 246, Issue 246, 16 October 1926, Page 13

ROAD CONSTRUCTION.

TO MEET INCF._AS_r> TKAFFIC. XEW POLICY SUGGESTED. A novel suggestion in reference t< financing road construction was advancec by Mr. P. Roy, chairman of last even ing's meeting of Weymouth ratepayers in the Papakura riding of the Manukai County Council. Mr. Roy deprecated the fact that yeai by year the council's funds were ex pended on maintenance work which was not of a permanent nature; he urged that, in view of i-e expected heavy increase in traffic following on the con creting of the Great South Road, steps should be taken to revise the systere at present employed by the council. H« suggested that a loan of £10,000 bt raised in the riding for permanent con> struction work, the interest and sinking fund to be met out of riding revenue the money thus obtained to be alio cated to the various districts on a basis of valuation, which would give Wey mouth about £1600. Mr. Roy ex pressed the opinion that if some sucl action were not taken to meet the situation, the inevitable increase of traffic would leave only one alternative? —tht striking of an additional rate over th( whole of the county. The member for the riding i_ir. C. S McCallum) spoke at length on the financial position of the riding, explaining that it was impossible for construction work to be done out of revenue He pointed out, however, that, at ar estimated cost of £1000 per mile foi metalling, the proposed loan would provide for only 10 out of 96 miles oi roads within the county. Mr. McCallum advised deferring the matter pending his council's further representations to i-e Highways Board to declare tht Brookby-Manurewa and ManurewaWeymouth Roads as main highways. A motion put by Mr. Roy embracing his remarks received no seconder, some of those present intimating that they were somewhat unacquainted with tht merits and demerits of the proposition The motion lapsed accordingly. On the motion of Mr. T. Higham, it was unanimously decided to convey through the Press, the residents' appreciation of the assistance rendered by the Auckland Harbour Board towards "the construction of a wharf. The resolution included similar reference to the Auckland Electric Power Board's efforts in reticulating the district. The meeting concluded with hearty votes of thanks tb the chairman and Mr. McCallum.