SETTLERS INDIGNANT.

Auckland Star, Issue 265, 8 November 1929, Page 10

SETTLERS INDIGNANT.

ROAD TO FISHING-GROUND.

£30,000 BEING SPENT.

PRODUCTIVE ROADS NEGLECTED,

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WHANGAREI, this day.

A request that tho Whangarei County Council bear all the expenses in connection with the legalisation of the RussellWhangaruru Road was not received sympathetically by the council at its meeting to-day.

In making the application the district engineer pointed out that the Public Works Department was bearing heavy expense in the construction of the road, and the council's undertaking would be comparatively small. The cost of the survey, already carried out, was £130, and heavy claims for compensation were not anticipated.

In moving that the request be declined the chairman said that the Government, without having been asked by or consulting the council, had decided upon the construction of a first-class highway to a fishing ground. Owing to the standard of the road and the nature of tho country through which it passed, the maintenance cost would be very high.

Mr. Webb said he thought the proposal most unfair; his riding had already been saddled with the maintenance costs for the Helena Bay section of the highway. To do all that was desired would engulf all the riding funds at present available.

Mr. Elliott severely criticised the Government for its willingness to spend £30,000 on a road which opened up very little productive country, while it was almost impossible to secure £100 to put in order roads carrying large quantities of butter and wool. The system of spending lump sums for unemployed relief works seemed unsatisfactory. If the money were spent in smaller sums on feeder roads it would be more profitable.

Mr. Morrison complained that although there was 14 miles of unmetalled road over which cream had to be transported he could not get £100 of free money for the Kiripaka riding.

The motion that the request be declined was carried.