DISCONTENT IN HUTT COUNTY

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 88, 12 January 1928, Page 8

DISCONTENT IN HUTT COUNTY

RATEPAYERS PROTEST SEPARATION FROM COUNTY DISCUSSED ' ■ A meeting held on Saturday' at Raumati, Paraparaumu was called to discuss, the alleged .persistent' neglect of the roads., in that district., and the desirability <of severance from.-.the Hutt County. The meeting was attended by members of the three ratepayers’ associations, namely, Ranmati Block and Paraparaumu beach, the Paekakariki, and the Paraparaumu, the latter covering all the riding not served by the other two.’ 1 Complaint was made that correspondence was riot answered nor could the County Council be stirred to attend to even urgent matters. This complaint was supported by members of all three associations. The condition of the roads was bitterly complained of from all over the riding. “Where does the money go?” asked various ratepayers. "For years the roads have been a disgrace, and in spite of increased rates . and increased staff thev are getting worse,” stated another. “Is it the staff or the council that is indifferent?” After considerable discus* sion it was considered that the men were “all right,” but that the supervision was bad, or lacking, that the men were not properly equipped, and were seemingly frequently kept waiting for material. Dangerous places on the. roads, which it was stated the council paid no attention to in spite of representations, were dischssed. Finally it was decided to seek the co-operation of the committees of the other two associations, and make joint representations to the council in an endeavour to secure more efficient work. Complaints were received from sum* mer visitors, and substantiated by residents, that motor vehicles were drivel at dangerous speeds along Raumau beach, thereby endangering the lives »f children. The County Council aid Marine Department are to be approved with a view to getting speedng checked. After lengthy , discussion it was reiolved: “That in view of the very uniatisfactorv position of affairs in the tiding the committee be requested to, communicate with the other associations m the district, with the object of-jointly collecting information as to whether it is desirable to sever connection with the Hutt County, and, if so, t> report on what steps should be taken” The opinion*was freely expressed that any change must be an improvement. : Shortly before the meeti-ig closed Councillor Nathan arrived. 7 After the grievances of the various localities had been explained, he stated flat, if several matters- now under consideration event-uated-as was hoped, bethought the ratepayers might reasoigoly expect to see a decided improvement, both in the supervision and in the reads themselves.