MAIN HIGHWAYS COUNCILS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 13 October 1924, Page 4

MAIN HIGHWAYS COUNCILS.

At the ordinary meeting on Saturday of the Rawera County Coqncii, Cr Lysaght referred to the question of county representation on these councils and. on the board. The chairman said that so far the work done had been one largely for the engineers until the programme ■ was thoroughly mapped out. Later he considered that they should press for further representation. There were some districts where counties could not have an effective voice, but taxpayers found the funds necessary and practically had no control. Taranaki was - the worst off because thqir roads were completed, and they would only get maintenance £1 for every £3, * while many other districts got *£ for £ for formation. This placed Taranaki atca great disadvantage. There were more cars _in Taranaki than in any district outside the centres, and it was suggested to institute a petrol tax so as to get at those who used the roads most, hut there would be an allowance to. farmers using petrol for farm machinery . The group in which Hawer# was included would contribute a large amount, and had no chance of getting it back. ” b Cr Lysaght considered it was advisi able to make a further statement of the position and then make an effort to get better representation. ’ He said that if they waited too long they might be too late. A motion was carried that the clerk write to the Minister asking what was proposed in regard to the constitution of the board so as .to ensure getting a reply in time to make-representations.