THE HUTT-ROAD

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue LXXXVIII, 30 October 1914, Page 2

THE HUTT-ROAD

PETONE COUNCIL'S POSITION.

[ Last evening th© Petone' Borough. Council received a letter from the Minister of Railways, who acknowledged receipt of the council's letter with reference to the control and maintenance of the Hutt-road. The Minister advised that the communication had been ■ referred to the Department for consideration. The letter referred to by the Minister was as follows:— -"I have the honour by direction of the Petone Borough Council to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 29th September last, and in reply thereto I am instructed to say that my council has no objection to the setting up of a Board of Control and Maintenance of the Hutt-road provided that the constitution and powers of the board are fair and equitable to the local authorities interested. With regard to the allocation of the maintenance charges my council does not agree with the percentages laid down in the report of the Commissioner {Mr. W. S. Short), and it is of the opinion that they should be levied upon the basis of the use of tho road by traffic belonging to the several local authorities, the percentages of which aro set out in Mr Short's letter of 7th January, 1913. My council thinks that at the present time it is not fairto lay down a basis of contribution, which, will remain in force for all time. The volume of traffic from the various places may alter considerably in the future, and it suggests that provision should bo made for a revision of _ the basis of contribution at stated intervals t to bo agreed upon (say five years) provided that the council seeking such revision can adduce sufficient evidence for it to be undertaken. 'My council does not desire to evade- payment of its fair shore towards the cost of maintaining the- road, but regards the allocation of 18 per cent, of the maintenance to be too groat a. proportion to be. levied upon ' this borough." The Mayor (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan) said that a good deal had happened since tho letter was sent, but all he could say was that the chances of the Bill coming before the House this session were very remote indeed.