PORIRUA ROADS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 86, 8 October 1930, Page 19

PORIRUA ROADS

RATEPAYERS' MEETING

A fully-attended ratepayers' meeting was held in the Porirua Hall recently, when Mr. R, Sievers presided over about ..at)ratepayers. ■ '■ ,:■ ■' Mr E Windley, chairman of tlie Makani County Council. Mr. E. W. Bothamley, and Mr. D. Prosser. members ot the ct^inicil were present at the iuyitation ot-itlie ratepayers-1 Mr. Hassall. tho convene^ ot the.meeting, explaining the reason lor (Sailing the meeting, said that information was desired as .to why the council had thought it necessary to increase tho general fate by about.oo per cent. . ' "Mr. Windley addressed the meeting, nuil said it would'be necessary to explain that when the Porirua Hiding was subdivided, he liad told tho ratepayers there was no, cause to tear that tho rate would bu in-, creased, there being only one ilyin the ointment, the Titahi Bay road. J.he cquu-; oil had made application two years ago last March to the District Council to have this road declared a subsidiary highway/ and it had been classed as Al urgency, to have first consideration after the mum liMiway had been bituminised. The Makara Council, therefore, commenced the necessary construction work in preparation for tho bitumen. This work and the maintenance of the road since had proved a very expensive proposition, which had accounted for the increase in rates. Ihe Makara Council has approached the Government on the subject of completing this road, and had also protested agaiilst 'the action•• of- the Government in interfering with the funds of. the Main Highways Board. ' •, : Another reason, given by Mr. Bothamley, was the decrease in the heavy traffic fees, these having fallen from £3500 last year to £1936 in March .this year. " . The general opinion of the ratepayers was:that the. council had not adopted the most •■ economical method of maintaining the i roads in : the district, especially the Titahi.Bay road. A-ratepayer asked what was the rateable valuation of the Porirua Riding; this was given as £80,000,.and was considered:too small to._br.ing_in_the necessary, revenue for maintenance. ■ • ,

' .Another ratepayer considered, the Mafeara Council-had blundered, and it'appeared there had been too much thinking qn their part and too little action.-. ■'.' : \ At the close of the meeting a hearty Vote of thanks. was passed .to. the councillors [or their attendance. . • -. .•:'':;■"