DRIVE EXTENSION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20639, 20 August 1941, Page 2

DRIVE EXTENSION

ABATTOIRS TO RIVER TAKING OF NATIVE LAND 30,000 CLUB'S SCHEME A proposal to take land under the Public Works Act for the extension of the Centennial marine drive from the abattoirs to the old mouth of the Waipara River, a distance of four miles, was agreed to by the Cook County Council to-dav, provided the council was not required to find any part of the cost either before or after the road was constructed and provided also that the consent of the military Officer in charge of the district was obtained. This was done following the reading of a letter from the Gisborne ThirtyThousand Club stating that it had been impossible to secure the consent of all the many native owners concerned in the land along the length of the proposed road, and the simplest way would be Cor the council to take the land under the Public Works Art. The club was prepared to indemnify the council against all costs incurred in taking the land, including compensation. If the land was so taken, the club would attend to the formation and construction of the drive to the satisfaction of the council as rapidly as the club could provide the funds and without expense to the council. The road should be two chains from high water mark to permit suitable planting on either side. The completion of the work w.ould have the effect of appreciating the value of the land fronting or near the road and also increase the rateable value. The ro&d would be vested in the Crown, but under the jurisdiction of the council. Maintenance of Road The chairman. Mr. W. G. Sherratt. said that the.road would he no use to the council, as it would be a dead end running into the river. If the club wished the council to take the road over the club should be prepared to maintain it. in addition to paying for all expenses leading up to and including the formation. Mr. R. Graham said that roads loomed largely in beach defence schemes, and he suggested that before anything was done the consent of the military officer in charge of the district should be obtained. Mr. F. S. Bowen congratulated the club on the large amount of work it had done, and said that the council should not stand in the club’s way. He moved that the request be granted. Mr. C. Tietjen seconded the motion. The chairman, said that if Mr. . Bowen would add to his motion that the club should also maintain the road he would support it. In reply to Mr. M. T. B. Hall, the county clerk, Mr. F. T. Robinson, said that the council would be responsible for the road after dedication, but it would not have to spend money on a road unless it wished. The council agreed to the club's request provided the council was not asked to spend money on maintenance and subject to the consent of the military officer in charge of the district.