TRAVIS EGAD TO BE SEALED

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21198, 23 June 1934, Page 12

TRAVIS EGAD TO BE SEALED

0 INCREASED SUBSIDY OBTAINED WAIMAIRI COUNCIL ACCEPTS TENDER Having succeeded in obtaining an increased grant from the Main Highways Board, the Waimairi County Council last evening decided to accept a tender for the sealing of Bassett street and Travis road, and to instruct the contractor to proceed with the work immediately. When the work is completed the trolley-bus route from Christchurch to North Beach will be sealed. Cr. C. E. Cross said he had gone to Wellington recently to interview the Main Highways Board and the engineer about the sealing of Travis road. When he left Wellington he felt that there was a good chance of having the subsidy increased from £2 for £1 to £3 for £l. The board met on Thursday, and yesterday the Public Works Department in Christchurch received advice that the board had agreed to increase the subsidy to £3 to £l. (Applause.) He wanted the council to accept a tender so that it could get on with the work and settle the whole question. The chairman (Cr. W. P. Spencer): That is very satisfactory. Cr. J. Liggins congratulated Cr. Cross on the success of his visit to Wellington. The increased subsidy made a difference of about £3OO to the council. He moved that the tender of British Pavements, Ltd., be accepted, and that the contractor be instructed to proceed with the work immediately. Cr. W. J. Wa?'.sr seconded the motion, and congratulated Cr. Cross on the work he had done for the Avon and Marshland ridings. Cr. Walter had been criticised for holding up the work and not accepting the tender of £3700. Now the work could go on, and he hoped that the roads would be put in order as soon as possible. Cr. W. G. Chapman complained about statements made in confidence to the council being published. Cr. Walter said that apparently that remark was intended for him. He had no apologies to make. Everything he had done had been fair and above board. He had only said that it was rumoured that the subsidy would be increased. Cr. Cross: Cr. Chapman is quite right. What v/as told me was told in confidence, and I told the council in confidence.

Cr. Chapmn: It is not fair. What would have happened if the increase was not granted? Cr. Walter: The work would have gone on. The motion was then put and carried unanimously, and it was decided •to thank Cr. Cross for his efforts.