AUROA ROAD CONTROL

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 12 October 1932, Page 10

AUROA ROAD CONTROL

POSITION TO CONTINUE

LG MONT COUNTY ACCEPTS OFFER

The FJtham County Council is to ■retain ,oontrol (of the Auroa Road, boundary between the Egmont and Eltliam counties. This decision was virtually arrived at by the Egmont County Council, at its monthly mectnng liem in opgmaiia on 'Tuesday. Although, by special order, the Eitham County Council lias lieid coi.tiol of the load for many years past the Eigmont Council some time ago approached its sister body m an endeavour to come to an agreement concern mg the maintenance of the load. Up till the present time the Eltham County Council has authorised and carried out all worlc on tiie road and merely billed the Eigmont council for its share of the expenses. The Egmont county desired equal voice in the control and considerable discussion took place before the decision that the. Eltham county should retain control was arrived at. The Eltham County Council wrote at Tuesday’s meeting that it considered the original resolution regarding the control of the Auroa- Road was a sufficient safeguard to the interests of the Eltham and Egmont councils. The Eltham council would he -pleased to consult in any major works contemplated, giving ample time for consideration by the Egmont council. The original resolution was “That the Eltham County Council agrees to submit proposals and estimates to the Egmont County Council For any major works on the Auroa Road, before proceeding to execute such works, . and in ample time to enable each council to consider and make financial provision for same.”

The Egmont county suggested that the following words should be inserted in the resolution “for mutual consideration and agrement.” The chairman (Cr. \Y. C. Green) considered it would be best to allow matters to stand as at 'present. The Eltham County Council had met the Egmont deputation in very friendly spirit and evidently failed to see why it should relinquish the full control given it by the Egmont county many years ago. Further, representations had .been made by Egmont ratepayers settled on the road wli-o were quite satisfied with the present control and had no desire for a change. Cr. J. S. Tosland considered that the council should press- for a commission in an effort to obtain a legal share in the control of the road. At present the council had no real sav in how the money which was raised in the county for the upkeep of the Auroa Road was to be spent. He considered the Eltham county’s attitude most unfair. It was iniquitous that Egmont should have to provide money and have no real say m its spending. The motion passed by the Eltham council gave Egmont no real share in the control.

The chairman stated that the E'gniont County Council did not wish to control the road, but it. did want to ensure tiiat the Kltham County Council would not embark on extensive works on the Auroa Road and so saddle the Egmont county with liabilities it might find difficult to bear. After further discussion it was decided “That the Egmont Council acknowledge receipt of the Bltliam County Council’s fitter and is gratified to note that the EHfinni council undertakes to consult with this council before any major works are undertaken. Cr. Tosland was the only dissentient .