DISPUTE OVER ROAD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 112, 15 May 1939, Page 13

DISPUTE OVER ROAD.

COUNCIL AND MINISTER.

DEPARTMENT REPORT WANTED

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WHAN'OARKi, this day

"This is the first time in the history of the county council that a. Minister , has received a deputation on county matters without Hr»t inviting the council to bo represented; it was very evident that it wits not intended that the county chairman should be present at the interview," said tine county chairmtan. Mr. J. A. S. MacKay, reporting to the Whangarcl Council on the Mcßreen's Koad, Mania, controversy. Wh-n the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. K. Scmple, was touring the North recently, he met. a deputation concerning the road and expressed severe criticism ( ,f (he council's work. This critici-tn resulted in a report at the last council meeting by a special committee se| up tn |<x>k into the matter. "When the Minister was here lie made some scathing comment about the council's work." said Mr. MacKay. "Mclireen's road is ei|iml to any in the county. Mr. Semple assured the deputation of two tilings: that he would discuss the matter with the county council before leaving the district and that lie would have the matter investigated by the Public Works Department's engineer. In the lirst instance this is a Press report, ami if il is correct, then he did not keep hi-i promi-c. the second assurance, I iinder-tand tlii- was done mill that a rei|iie»t was made by the Public Works Department lor a report t'foni I lie ciijjii ■.

"fn \ icw of .Mr. Scmple's remarks while line r f( el we arc entitled tit the Depart incut's report on the wetter," suid Wr. MacKav.

On .Mr. MacKay's suggestion it was derided to n»k the Minister for the report secured liy the engineer on the mutter.