NEW ROAD WANTED.

Clutha Leader, Volume XLI, Issue 1, 10 July 1914, Page 2

NEW ROAD WANTED.

FOR TARATU. Messrs Cheeseman (manager Taratu Coal Company), H. E. Wilson (secretary Taratu Estate Company), Thos. and .John Frlazer (farmers, Taratu) waited on the Bruce County Council at Milton on Tuesday in reference to a road through the Taratu Estate. The position was that at present there was a surveyed road, but this, even if" formed, would not be suitable. To form the surveyed road would be costly. It was desired that this road be closed ami a new road opened. Mr Wilson explained that the Coal Company and Estate Company had land but had no access to it, ami thereby suffered. The estate paid rates amounting to considerably over £IOOO, and had got no return, but perhaps this was because they had never asked for anything. The directors of the estate had considered a proposal to divide the estate into two, but access was necessary. They were agreeable to do their share. They originally asked that the council should buy the roadline over which the Estate Company had an option, but the company now offered to donate that land for the road, and have the unused road known as Morrison's closed. They thought that the council should construct the road. A number of the councillors had seen the property and knew the position. Mr Wilson presented a plan and pointed out where the road was required. Mr Beale, engineer, had estimated that about £SO would be the cost of the formation, while the formation of the present surveyed roadline would cost about £IOOO, as it was on the crest of a hill. The required road would go round the lakeside and through section 4. About 40 chains would require to be formed. The Estate Company had no access except through the adjoining land owner's property, and it would be impossible to ever use the district road. Mr Cheeseman endorsed what Mr Wilson had said regarding the necessity of the road. The Taratu Coal Company had the lease of the mining rights of 1200 or l:i()0 acres of the property, but they had no road at all, although they paid about £SO rates a year. It was very inconvenient for the miners to get groceries and other necessaries up, and they wore dependent on the owners of the land to get from their homes in Kaitangata to their work. The Coal Company was prepared to spend some money on the road, but they thought it right that they should get some assisti ancp.

Mr Tlios. Frazer sai.l that tho niinois had to go through lii« property in order to get to their work, as there was no road for them. He had paid about £2OO .in rates, and had got nothing for this. Mr .John Frazer also supported the plea for assistance. He had been paying rates for 4.'! years, and the total rates ran to about £OOO. He could not let the back ground of the place as there was no outlet, and therefore his family had been losing about tliO a year in rent.

The Chairntan: That would make a road.

M> Frazer: Sixty pounds a year is a small estimate, and tfcat is what we have been losing. Councillor Haggart: Are the owners willing to dedicate the road to the council if we close the other road?

Mr Frazer: We have bought the land and are prepared to dedicate this road to the council.

Councillor King: And have tliev no other outlet at all.'

Councillor Hitclion: There is a road over the top end. Councillor Haggart: Rut one could not drive over it; he could oniv ride over it.

Councillor King: Are there any far mors who would want this road.''

.Mr Frazer: .'IOO acres are lying idle because there is no access to it. The Chairman: The road is wanted to give access to the 1200-acre block, owned by one party, and also access to the mines.

Councillor Clark moved that a committee, consisting of the chairman, Councillors Haggart, Hitclion and the mover, be appointed to meet the directors of the two companies and inquire into the matter.—Seconded by Councillor Russell and carried. It was agreed to meet the companies' deputation at Taratu ou Monday, July 20.