DAY'S BAY ROAD

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 108, 8 May 1923, Page 8

DAY'S BAY ROAD

COUNTY COUNCIL SEEKS RELIEF

WELLINGTON CITY PROTESTS,

The Hutt County Council to-day renewed its application to the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. J. G. Coates, to set up a commission to apportion the cost of the upkeep of the Day's Bay road between Petone and Eastbourne Mr. T. ,M. Wilford, M.P., who accompanied a deputation to the Minister, emphasised the Hutt County's point of view that the Wellington City Council should share part of the burden. He stated that the majority of the motorcars that used the road came from Wellington, and the Wellington people should be compelled to help maintain the road.

, Mr. W. H. Field, M.P., said that included m his constituency 'were three counties through which there passed arterial roads providing communication in and out of Wellington. It was difficult for the counties to maintain those roads; as it was, practically the whole of their revenue was devoted to the upkeep of them. The counties he referred to spent all their money on roads which neither started or finished within their boundaries. . .

The Minister strongly criticised the proposal made by the Hutt County that the Eastbourne Borough Council should bear 35 per cent, of the cost of upkeep of the road. The suggestion was an outrageous one, especially so now that Eastbourne, had entered into heavy obligations through the purchase of a new steamer. ■

The Chairman of the Hutt County (Mr. Atkinson) strongly defended the county. The latter realised that it was asking too much of Eastbourne. It asked for the appointment of a commission which would fairly apportion the cost among the local bodies interested.

The Mayor of Wellington (Mr.' R. A. Wright) protested against the appointment of a commission. If the commission were granted, the Wellington City Council would be compelled to seek legislation which would enable it to retaliate. The city would have to compel all surrounding local bodies to assist in the maintenance of city roads. The Minister reminded the deputation that he had offered a toll gate as a solution of the problem.

Mr. Atkinson: "But with conditions that we could not agree to." The Minister said ho would look further into the matter before replying to the request for a commission.