MAKURI RIDING ROADS

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 120, 6 February 1923, Page 4

MAKURI RIDING ROADS

■COUNTY COUNCIL CHARGED WITH NEGLECT.

Mr. W. J. Moore, of Makuri, Pahiatua, forwards for publication., the following copy of a letter which he sent to the chairman of the Pahiatua County Council on January 30. He states that the facts have been certified to by a councillor and tho county clerk : ' “Tho Chairman, County Council, Pahiatua. Dear Sir,—l recently went, to Wellington via Wairarapa, returning via Alanawatu, and the best road 1 struck on the whole journey was from your late 'chairman’s residence to the borough boundary—a perfect road as regards width, corners, and surface. I wish to congratulate him on having so perfect a road. Makuri riding roads are deplorable. The metal has worn out through your council’s neglect, the corners are .narrow and dangerous, tho water tables are full and overflowing, a menace to all motor-cars whether driven by residents or strangers M’ithin tho last few months I have helped to pull out eight or nine cars and only yesterday my wool wagon went into a ditch nt a dangerous corner in daylight, which ha,s been known to your staff for sonic time. None of these accidents would have taken place had the road been- in good order. This is the last straw. May I ask how long we are to submit to this treatment? Your council have now gone too far. Will you kindiv refresh the members of your council’s memories with the following letter; —■ ‘Pahiatua, August 6, 1920. ‘ W. J. Moore, Esq.. Makuri. Dear Sir, —I have been instructed to inform you in reply to'your memo, of the 3rd mat. thatvny>.-coun-iclri’s sondifig to Makuri >u one week’s time a county team, and further that Mr. Yeoman's team will l>e engaged to effect repairs on Coonoor Road. (Signed) J. Hutton, county clerk.’ “Mr. Yeoman’s horses are faster and in better condition than the council’s teams. Mr. Yeoman went to endless trouble and expenses in getting his team together, purchased new harness and chaff, and’ was not employed a single day. Is this honest? Is it business? Isn’t there want of self-respect|? When • the bridge fell at Makuri it was through the council’s neglect. A temporary’ bridge was erected by a well-known resident, as evidently’ none of your staff were capable of, doing the work. It is my intention when I next go to Wellington to ask the Minister of Public Works to send a qualified engineer to report on our road and see if wo can get the road from Makuri to my boundary put in order by the Government at your expense. I understand that our riding team is workin”- at the contract bridge instead of beTng at work metalling our road, and that Mr. Yeoman’s horses are still in his paddock.”