COUNTY ROADS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2122, 22 February 1908, Page 2

COUNTY ROADS.

THE ENGINEER TO REPORT.

At the County Council meeting yesterday Cr. McDonald moved, m accordance with notice, that the Council decide and select what roads are to o.j called main or County roaus, tho - < oiistruclioji and iiiaintenanceoi which ' are to be charged to the whole County. When it is decider! which roads ire to be called main roads, the Engineer be instructed to report, giving jii estimate of the cost of putting these roads in good repair for traffic, by forming where necessary, with a view of the Council raising a loan

the whole County sufficient to carry out the necessary works. Cr. McDonald did not proless to say ivjiat the cost would be, but it seemed accessary to attend to the roads, and lie proposed that the Council select .he main County roads, and he did not select anv himself, preferring to P-ave that to'the Council. Any sum raised to put the main roads in repair would benefit every ratepayer ill the Countv. H the motion was carried, ;(,e Engineer could report on the amount of cost, etc. ... . . The Chairman said that if carried, ,he Council could avail itself of the Engineer’s advice as to the main

roads. Cr.' Lysnar said that not naming the roads was voting in the dark. Cr. Ken way had much pleasure in ■ crowding the motion. It was a very practical'suggestion, and he hoped it would be carried. Cr. Matthews said that if tho mam roads had the right to use up the whole of the revenue, would they not have to raise separate rates for the other roads ? If so, every one would have to find an extra rate, but if all .ho roads were declared main roads, ill could loin in the benefits. The Chairman that seemed a like difference between the expenditure of revenue and loan monies. If they wanted to improve the roads, they hould lew a separate rate. Local roads should be repaired by ridings. He took it. if a sum was borrowed, that the arterial roads only would be

provided for. Cr. Matthews said that the proper repairing of the roads would be very extensive. About 30 feet width of metal would be needed, and blinding

would be necessary. Cr. McDonald said that the ratepayers should knew that the Council was doing something to the roads. Cr. F. Lysnar asked what would be done if two roads were treated as main reads, one of which had been dealt with by a local loan. Cr. White said that this opened up the question of taking over the loans.

Cr. Kenway ruggested, in reference to Cr. Lysnar’s question, that theCouncil take over the loans of such ridings. Cr. Matthew.- said that without defining the main roads, they could borrow as long a- the ratepayers consented, and thc-n they could go on with any roads. The question would be—which were to have preference? They could not spend money on byroads unless there was a balance. Cr. McDonald said that a councillor ■ould move tha a particular road bq declared a main road. Cr. White suggested an adjournment for a fuller meeting, two being absent. Cr. McDonald - said that he had been on a County Council where this system worked very satisfactorily. He was quite satisfied that it was in the interests of tlm ratepayers. They •ould not put ail the roads in repair -it once. He wished the motion to be put. The Chairman said he would vote ror it, as it ser tried contemplated in die legislation or last session. The motion was put and carried. Jrs. M.atthews and Lysnar voting igainst. The Chairman expressed the opinon that the Engineer should report o next meeting which roads should s declared mrdn roads. The following dst of proposed main oads was put in by Cr. McDonald, o facilitate the matter: 1. Gisbome--1 adapt coach r ;ad ; 2. Gisborne-Mo-:-re: 3, Gisbrwne-Opotiki to tho ouudary: 4. Whatatutu-Ormond; 5, niith’s to Patutohi Quarry and Ngaipa boundary to Robb's: 6, Waikonu ridge to Whatayuru; 7, Te Arai Tally road: S. Wiimata road to the 'ost Office juner m ; 9. Tiniroto road. Cr. Matthews -rated that he would rove that all r ads in this district e main roads, except Road - Board oads.