KAITI ROAD.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 75, 3 April 1901, Page 3

KAITI ROAD.

At the meeting of the Borough Council last evening, the following letter from Mr F, J. Shelton was read ;

The Mayor and Councillors Borough of Gisborne. Gontlomcn, —“ I would ask your attention to the state of the road between the Turanganui Bridge and the Gisborne Freezing Works. The road already is to-day impassable, and the winter has not yet begun. I would remind you the rates paid on the property occupied by me have been as follows : —Paid by Gisborne Harbor Board : 1893, £8 ■ 15s ; 1894, £8 15s ; . 1895, £8 15s—£26 ss. Paid for Gisborne Freezing Company : 1896, £2l 17s Gd ; 1597, £2l 17s Cd ; 1898, £26 5s ; 1899, £26 5s ; 1900, £3O 12s 6d—£l26 17s 6d, In addition to this I subscribed a considerable amount some time ago towards putting the road in working order, and I think it only fair that your Cauucil should immediately put tho road in ordor. I think you have not spont more than £2O on this road during tho last five years, while I have paid £126 in rates outside of my donation towards putting the road in a passable state. The amount of traffic on the road caused by the beach traffic and the Gisborne Freezing Works is very considerable. In consideration of the rates that

I have already paid and am still paying, it is only fair that this road should bo put in a fairly passable state both for wheel and foot traffic.”

The Overseer reported I The road to

tho Freezing Works : I have inspected this road as authorised at last meeting, and would recommend the road to be made wider and filled in in places where

it is low. The remainder of the road to bo trimmed up as required for metalling. Drains will have to be cut near tho Freez-

ing Works to take away the surface water at presont lying on the sides sf the road ; also a box culvert at the bend of tho road on this side of the Freezing Works. It is very necessary that the metal should be spread wider on tho road than it has been. The traffic being much greater needs more room to move about, and not to go always in one rut. This ploughs up the road in place of keeping an oven surface. I estimate the cost of this work—Gravelling 84. chains, breaking and spreading, £4 10s per chain, £153 ; other works, £24 15s Bd. Total, £177 15s 7d.

The Mayor said it was a road that might be put in repair. In rogard to Mr Shelton’s remark as to what had been spent on the road, the position was— ESPLANADE.

Total 251 16 5 About £4O or £SO of that, said the Mayor, had been received in private subscriptions. Still, he certainly thought the road should be repaired. It gave a great deal of labor, and the road should be done. The sum ■was larger than the Council might have contemplated, but the road was one that should bo put in proper order, and the sooner the better. Something had been said about subscriptions, but lie did not know that they could look for that. The road was such, a one that it could be done during the winter. It was explained that-the list of moneys expended also included that spent at the upper side of the bridge. Cr Joyce said he thought the amount required to be done was only about half the distance. He thought some big boulders should be put in the ruts. Cr Hepburn said they would only be squeezed out. The Mayor said that there would be heavy traffic on the road, and they should make a good job of it. Cr Jones said he believed, as he had previously stated, that the question should be faced by the Couneil; they should do the road properly, and then look to the carters using it to help to keep it in order. One thing that had occurred since the last meeting to which he objected was the endeavor to force their hands, to make them vote in the dark, A letter read that

nffiht assumed that the Council had to spend money because so much had been paid in rates. If they were going to adopt tho principle that the people who had to pay the largest amount of rates were going to have the most done at their doors it would not be fa ; r at all, as those at the upper end of the town would not be able to get anything. He had been surprised that the work would cost as much an £l7O. He moved that they called for fenders for the work, but he would reserve the right to say something later on, as he did not think that a Council just going out should undertake large works. Cr Joyce seconded the motion, but he said he did not think the work should cost so much. He went into the question minutely in support of that view, and added that his idea was that the large boulders should be placed in the holes first, a little earth put on, and then gravel laid on the top. If they got the excellent gravel that had lately be eh supplied to tho AVhataupoko Boad Board a good job should be made of it.

Cr Jones said that his motioifstill left them the right to call oh the Kaiti Boad Board to contribute under tho Act. He thought that should be done. Cr Hepburn said that his idea was that the Kaiti Road Board should contribute. He had always held that view, and was surprised that previous mention had not been made of it. The Board made use of the road for delivery of metal; it was also a boundary road, and the Board should contribute a share to the cost. Tho metal Cr Joyce had spoken of had been carted over tho road.

The motion was carried unanimously

The Roman Empire, nigh forgotten, Once exercised a mighty sway, But like some buildings old and rotten, Was left to crumble and decay. The human body needs attention, In order to long life assure, For coughs and colds we’ve but to mention W. E. Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure.

1891 £ ... 25 s 0 a 0 189-1 5 7 4 1S95 4 19 9 1S96 6 9 0 1897 ... 115 7 10 1898 9 1 6 1899 ... 55 11 0 1900 (about) ... so 0 0