INTEREST INCREASED

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 124, 28 May 1930, Page 7

INTEREST INCREASED

MAKARA AFFAIRS

MORE RIDINGS IN COUNTY

"Tho past year has been ono of unusual interest owing to the fact that we have been trying out an experiment with an increased number of ridings," said Mr. E. Windley (chairman), in his address to members of the Makara County Council at the annual meeting to-day. "With each councillor representing a riding, increased interest has been shown which has resulted in better attention to county matters as a whole. "With the year's results wo can feel satisfied, and it is safe to predict continued local interest in tlio future. Tho change has resulted in creating interest among residents in tho closer settled areas, which will be helpful to tho council also. Should ratepayers desire improvements the costs will be localised, and thoso receiving tho benefit, generally speaking, will have the pleasure of paying for it. This may appear like fostering the parochial spirit, but no one will object to that so long as tho desired results are obtained. "The riding accounts at 31st March will prove a valuable guide as to what work may be undertaken during the present year. While some ridings show a debit balance there is the satisfaction of having something to show for the money-that will have to be collected during tho year. Improvements involving considerable coat were decided upon after last year's estimates were approved, which resulted in some ridings being in debt at the end of the year. NEED FOB SEALING. "I would draw the council's attention to- a return showing that during tho past year over 6000 yards of metal have been used in maintaining our roads," continued Mr. Windley. "The average cost would not be less than 10s per yard. It is evident the > council will need to consider the question of sealing where it is possible. The foreman has been alive to the fact, and considers that lit 'will not be possible to maintain the yearly increase of metal needed to keep our roads in satisfactory order. With a certain amount of sealling-, done each year the maintenance costs would gradually be reduced. May I direct attention to the position of tho Makara Biding? For some time past the crushing plant has been installed at the north end of the area to be served. While good work is being done covering a few miles of roads, it will be necessary from time to time to move on to other quarries in the riding. This is the usual practice with a portable crusher, but it is necessary, in my opinion, to avoid as far as possible a repetition of this practice. This can only be accomplished by sealing the level portions of the main and north roads, leaving the plant entirely for use at the south end. The plant is of small output, but during the time it has been working the cost of metal has not only been reduced, but the roads are very satisfactory despite increasing traffic. "Residents in the closer settled areas are finding that the roads are not the safest place to walk upon owing to the motor traffic. The request for footpaths is the natural outcome, but tho formation of the roads being narrow, considerable expenditure' is involved before this provision can be made available.

"The proposal of improved access to Makara was considered during the year. The ratepayers, authorised the council to proceed with trial surveys, but! as this involved considerable cost with little hope of construction, it was deemed advisable to hold the matter in abeyance. The Main.'Highways Board is not prepared at the present time to subsidise the construction of a new road, and the cost would be heavy for Makara ratepayers alone. "■