ROAD IMPROVEMENTS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 204, 26 May 1938, Page 7

ROAD IMPROVEMENTS

Discussion By Makara County Council

SEALING WORK WANTED BY RATEPAYERS

Road maintenance was Hie .kief topic of discussion at the meeting of the Makara County Council yesterday. Council representatives were appointed and Cr. E. Bindley was re-elected to the ehaii. Cr. Windley thanked councillors for re-electing him as chairman and congratulated them all on being returned at the election. It was tin indication that the ratepayers were satisfied with them. He outlined the conditions of voting nt the election and expressed the opinion that the franchise should be extended. "'rhe time has come for the council to make an advance on its road .maintenance schemes,” said Cr. M indley. The council’s methods of road improvement would have to be revised because of the tremendous increase in the volume of traffic. They must get the best value possible from the money they spent. The alteration in the type of traffic using the roads since he was first elected to the council 20 years ago made it necessary to alter their methods of road-inaking. The ratepayers wanted sealing work to lie carried out. and the council was.considering the purchase of machinery for this purpose. Cr. S. G. Luxton (Makara) said there was no doubt that much of the ratepayers’ money would have to he spent on roads in the coming year. They should go carefully before spending it, as a hospital levy had to be met.

1 Cr. .1. I’lircliase (Makarai suid the 1 council’s rales were as low as it was possible to make them. If tlx? rates . were to pay for all road expenditure i in the couniy a certain portion of seal- . ing should be done each year. The hospital levy would be the deciding ! factor In determining the amount of the road surfacing to be laid down. 'I lie I Government should give some assistance to the county ratepayers who were helping to maintain Hie highways. ' Other expenses to be incurred would i be in the purchase of a new niotorI truck, which was badly needed.

Cr. C. 11. Phillips i Ngaliaiiranga) supported the remarks of the other councillors. He said he thought councillors who had not previously served on the works and policy commitlee should be elected to do it to help them gain further experience in local body government.

Referring to the franchise. Cr. R. G. Mexted said 287 people who had not paid their rates were not eligible to vote at the last election. Others were unable to vote because their estates were still held iu the names of jiersous who had died. Cr. R. W. Bothamley (Titahi) said many of the people who owned property in his district and who were entitled to vote were scattered throughout Australia and Now Zaland and had naturally not bothered to exercise their right, t

Cr. V. Mexted (Porirua) said he would support any road improvements to be carried out during the year.

The following works and policy committee was elected: Crs. IL W. Bothamiey (chairman), R. G. Mexted, C. AV. Phillips and S. G. Luxton. The following representatives were appointed:—Crs. R. G. Mexted (City and Suburban Highway Board), R. AV. Bothamley (Free Ambulance Board), Mr. 11. Pickford, county clerk (No. 9 District Highway Council). It was decided to hold the council meetings on the second Friday of each month.