DAMAGE TO ROADS

Evening Star, Issue 25227, 14 July 1944, Page 6

DAMAGE TO ROADS

HEAVY CARTING OF TIMBER COUNTY COUNCIL'S CLAIM FOR GRANTS Claims for free grants for repairs to roads in the Tupanui forest districts damaged by carting timber last winter for essential military purposes were made by a deputation from the Tuapeka County Council which waited on the Minister of Works (the Hon. 'R. Semple) yesterday. The Minister re-: plied that the council appeared to have reasonable grounds for assistance. Mr W. Cameron (acting-chairman) and Mr R. F. iiatchelor made application for a free grant of £7BO to repair roads damaged by excessive cartage of essential materials during the last year. The roads affected were the Parlkhili road, McDutfs road, Collins road, and the Tapanui sawmill road, which had been damaged over a distance of more than 12 miles. Representations had been made to the contractors to stop cartage while the roads were unfit for use, but the Conservator of Forests had insisted on deliveries of timber for essential military purposes. As the State Forest Service occupied much of the adjoining land, the revenue from these areas was very small. The department had refused to make a grant on the grounds that the council had not exercised its remedies in the matter. The council felt the graut would be a just charge on the War Expenses Account. Mr Batchelor said it appeared to be a case of one department " passing the buck " to another. The Works Department and the State Forest Sevice each attempted to deny liability. The contractors were prepared to stop carting, hut the conservator insisted on carting continuing. There was only one ratepayer on the Parlkhill road, and he had practically lost his. access. Mr E. S. Thompson, also on behalf of the Tuapeka County Council, raised the question of the Craig Flat road., The department had agreed before the war to find £450 for formation aud a subsidy of £2 for £1 for gravelling, giving the department a total liability of £B3O and the council £l9O. Labour was a problem, and it would be advantageous if the work could be done by a bulldozer. There were possibilities of the land in the area .being used for rehabilitation, but access was the difficulty. In reply to the deputation, the Minister said the council had a grievance for damage to roads, and he would take up the matter with the Treasury on his return to Wellington. Grants made hefore the war and discontinued because of the war would be renewed after the war. No bulldozers were available in the district at present, but the Minister agreed that it was work which should be done by machinery. He would inquire into the matter and advise the council as soon as possible.