HUTT-ROAD UPKEEP

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 2, 2 July 1919, Page 7

HUTT-ROAD UPKEEP

LIABILITY OF DEFENCE DE

BARTMENT.

The member for Hutt, the Hon. It M, Wilford, asked last evening for the backing of a public meeting held at Lower Hutt to a claim he was going to make on the War Expenses Account for a sum of money to be allocated for repairs to the Hutt-r.oad from the Grand National Hot«l to the Gorge. This road was the main arterial road to Wairarapa and Napier, and should not in any case be a burden solely on the immediate local bodies. The Government had, however, built camps at Trentham and Featherston, and it was only reasonable that the Defence Department should be asked to bear some of the cost of repairs, which had been unduly heavy owing to the heavy munitions of war being carted over the road in motor lorries.

Mr. E. P. Rishworth moved that the Defence Department be called on to provide a sum for the purpose. Mr. J. Brasoli seconded, and thought the Racing Club should also be asked to bear some of the cost.

Mr. H. Baldwin said the cost of the upkeep of the road during the early stages of the war had amounted to £2000. - ■

Mr. Judd stated that the County Council had been Riven a grant by the Government of J33EO for its portion. The Hon. T\ M. Wilford. pointed out the anomaly that grants were mado to counties but not to boroughs. fEha motion wm carried unanimously.