GREAT SOUTH ROAD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 201, 26 August 1930, Page 5

GREAT SOUTH ROAD.

FRANKLIN COUNTY DISPUTE.

BOTH SIDES STAND FIRM.

"I have now to inform you that the board is unable to vary the rate of subsidy already offered to your council toward the cost of reconstructing the county's portion of the Great South Road," said Mr. F. S. Dyson, the Main Highway Board's representative on the No. 2 District Council, in a letter read at yesterday's meeting of the Franklin County Council.

Mr. Dyson said the subsidy of £3 for £1 was generally paid on works of the same clasß throughout the Dominion, and in no case had the class of pavement been laid down and the rate of subsidy subsequently declined.

j The chairman, Mu. J. N. Massey, moved, and Mr. J. Henry seconded, the following resolution, -which was carried unanimously:—"The council is satisfied that the Main Highways Board, or its officers, did approve of the route classification of the road and the estimated coet, as set out in its own letter; and the council is not prepared to contribute more than that already offered, £20,000." , Mr. H. P. Garland said the board, persisted in its endeavour to place the council in a false position by stating the council was not prepared to accept the offers mada to it. At the last meeting of the Highways Council he attended, a circular letter was read stating that the Main Highways Board was not prepared to carry out any new works this year. The County Council had been asked to expend £700 per mil® each year on maintenance of the South Road, but the council was unable to provide. more than £430 a mile. He had heard the president of the AAA. state that they Franklin County Council was the stumbling-block, and that the ratepayers should be up in arms because the splendid offer of the Highways Board had not been accepted.

Mr. H. Wilson asked why these people (the AAA.) did not insist on the Bombay deviation being completed. A S!ember: If the board is consistent, why does it not ask the council to pay one-quarter of the cost of constructing the deviation? (Laughter.) The discussion was not pursued.