STRAIGHT TALK.

Auckland Star, Issue 38, 14 February 1929, Page 24

STRAIGHT TALK.

HIGHWAYS BOARD CHAIRMAN.

COUNTRY PEOPLE'S INTERESTS

STATEMENT IN THE WAIKATO,

(By Telegraph—Own Correspondent.) ARAPUNI, Wednesday.

Mr. A. E. Jull, chairman of the Main Highways Board, does not mince matters when replying to requests by members of local bodies.

Mr. Mcrvyn Wells tc-dav asked what consideration the borough was going to receive for the roads which it down prior to the Highways Board coming into existence.

.Mr. Jull, the chairman, pointed out | that before the borough gave its j streets a permanent surface people probably had in wet weather to wade through five or six inches of mud with duck boards. The improvements effected were entirely for the convenience and comfort of residents. People in the towns lived upon the exertions of the people in the country districts, and lie regarded it as very wrong that the towns should seek to rob these districts of money that had been entrusted to the Highwards Board for improving conditions there. Personally lie considered that requests for £4 and £5 to £1 subsidies in boroughs were improper. Such requests could not be granted without doing injustice to people whom in man/ cases the local bodies making the applications v were seeking to assist. He regretted that the board had so many of these applications to consider. The r would be considered, but he personally was hojieful that the local bodies who made them would not seek to deprive the hoard of some of its funds for compensation woiks. Mr. Wells: It is a great disappointment. Mr. Jull: You will only lie one of 02 others similarly disappointed. Mr. Wells: It is an inducement, for the borough to hold back works until assistance can be obtained from the board. Mr. Jull: Why should motorists wh > did not have to motor or live in your district when your roads were made permanent pay taxes for retrospective work in your town 1 The speaker proceeded to point out that towns were receiving far better treatment under the hoard than pre viously.