BOROUGH COUNCIL DISCUSSION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXII, Issue LXXII, 12 July 1917, Page 4

BOROUGH COUNCIL DISCUSSION.

At the meeting of the Hawera Borough Council last evening Cr HaytoiL a-sked if the Council proposed to ttsJse any part or give an expression of opinion upon the question of the abolition of toll-gates. It was a matter of vital interest to the borough, he said ; , and considering that local bodies weregiving the matter some attention the .borough Council should also considerit.

The Mayor replied that he did not, think it was a matter for the Council to move in. That was his own personal feeling. He, however, was sure that the people would sooner pay toll ice» and have good roads than not pay t,oli fees and go back to the old order of bad roads. Apart from this, he did not think the borough should be drawn into a matter which was of more importance to the neighboring counties. Cr Hayton contended that the Council should give an expression of opinion upon the matter, and he moved— "That in the opinion of the Hawera Borough Council the present system, of toll-gates .is not a satisfactorymethod of raising revenue for the upkeep of roads." The movei- added that while he agreed that good roads, were worth paying for, he thought, there were other methods besides tollgates by which revenue could be obtained for their upkeep. Cr Goodwin sconded. He said he was not in favor of toll-gates, and mentioned that, in his experience, one of the worst roads in Taranaki was that, between New Plymouth and Opunake;. and it was on this piece of road that the highest price in tolls had to bepaid. He believed that roads could be maintained without toll-gates. This, question had been brought before the Council rather suddenly, and he would, have prefered that the councillor had had more time in which to consider it.

Cr Bates said that some years ago., before the toll-gates were in operation^, their roads were so bad that a lot or their business went to Eltham. Since, the establishment of the toll-gates aIL this business had come back again. The Mayor: Hear, hear. Cr Osborne remarked that he hardlycared to vote either way on the question, as he had not had sufficient time.: to consider the pros and cons of it. Cr Harding expressed a similar view.,, and added that he thought the question was one more for the county councils and the town boards than forthe Borough Council. Personally, hewas of the opinion that, as far as the.main arterial roads were concerned,, these should be taken over by the Government.

The Mayor proposed an amendment. —"That no action Be taken." Personally, he said, he did not think the Council should be drawn into the disputes of other local bodies.

Cr Morrissey said he was inclined tothe opinion that until the Council hadi more information about the matterthey should leave it alone.

Cr Osborne: We have not been a-sked for an expression of opinion. The amendment was carried.