THORNDON RAMP

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 216, 9 June 1936, Page 11

THORNDON RAMP

Johnsonville Town Board Will Contribute TO AVOID STALEMATE While expressing opposition to the principle that surrounding local bodies should be called on to contribute to the cost of constructing the ramp and overbridge to link the Hutt Road and Waterloo Quay extension, the Johnsonville Town Board at its meeting last night unanimously decided that, rather than hold the matter up, it would agree to the suggested apportionment on a population basis. The chairman, Mr. G. 11. Lawrence, said he had attended a meeting of . the Wellington City and Suburban Highways Board when two proposals for financing the undertaking had been discussed. On a population basis, the town board’s contribution would be £lO7/9/8 and on the basis of contribution to the Hutt Road fund, £2OO. A motion had been carried approving of payment on the former basis, the only dissenting body being the Hutt County Council. The Johnsonville Town Board, the Eastbourne Borough Council and the Upper Hutt Borough Council had only one vote between them, and as the other two bodies had agreed to make a contribution, he had not been able to vote against it, though during the discussion he had protested against the principle. “The board has always been opposed to the suggestion," Mr. Lawrence continued. “but in view of the fact that all the other local bodies have agreed, with the exception of ourselves and the Hutt County Council, and as the amount is so small, I move that we make the contribution to facilitate the work.” Commissioner A. Symonds, who seconded the motion, said that it was the best thing they could do, as, even if they refused, ultimately they would be forced to fall into line. Commissioner 11. D. Morgan said it was not fair to load a body like the town board with such a contribution. It was a matter, if not for the City Council, for the Railway Department. Sooner or later, however, the town board would be absorbed by a local body which had already agreed to the contribution and it was no use holding up the work. He favoured making the contribution as a gesture to prevent a stalemate. The motion was carried unanimously.