STATE OF ROAD

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 56, Issue 32897, 18 August 1947, Page 5

STATE OF ROAD

PATETONGA COMPLAINT

ACCESS TO RUN-OFFS

REQUEST TO COUNTY COUNCIL

Complaints from Miss K. A. Sawyer, and Mrs S. A. Appleby, of Patetonga, regarding the state of the Tramline road at Patetonga was received at the August meeting of the Hauraki Plains County Council. Miss Sawyer wrote as under: — “ More than a quarter of a century ago the Government kindly put clay on the Tramline road before removing the rails and since then the county grader has been along once and parted the blackberry bushes on either side of the road. Unfortunately as a frequent user of the road, more so m the winter and spring, with the carting of hay to feed dairy cattle, I find it more than a problem. We are getting the place worked up again, cleared, re-grassed and manured and intend running dairy cows theremilking them on the section 'and driving them back and forward to feed.' When this section was ballotted the Tramline road was under construction on the Plains. The property is capable of milking a cow to two acres fairly treated. We have been carting hay to feed in-coming dairy cattle, which would have helped to seed the place, as well as manure and lime, but now we cannot get down the road until too late in spring. The Government is crying out ‘ produce more ’ but how can we when we have to bring the stock which are not in profit in. with the milking cows so that they can be given hay? Trusting you wiU do something in the matter of the road so that we can increase production.” Mrs S. A. Appleby of Patetonga also wrote asking that the Tramline road be metalled. She stressed that the road gave access to eight sections of a total area of 700 acres. A total of 483 dairy cows as well as other stock was being grazed, J>ut they had to be withdrawn before they were ready as the cartage of hay, etc., along the road was impossible. The Patetonga branch of Federated Farmers also wrote to the. council supporting the requests for improvements to be carried out on Tramline road. Or. J. F. Mayn said that the question "had been before the council for about four or five years and while the council had been sympathetic the Crown had never been agreeable to grant a subsidy. He expressed the hope that the subsidy would be available next year. He spoke of the value of the land in question and the need for a metalled road. One Mile Of Road

In answer to questions Or. Mayn said the length of the road was one mile. There was nobody living on the road, the properties all being used as run-offs. The chairman, Mr C. W. Parfitt, said the Crown would never agree to a mere skin of metal as suggested by the settlers. The chairman added that the settlers were entitled to a road but he doubted if the council could afford to do anything on a £ for £ subsidy in view of the small amount of rates collected from the area. ' Cr. Mayn said he thought the subsidy for the road would be on a basis of £2 for £l. The chairman asked whether the people holding the properties would assist by making a contribution towards the work. Cr. Mayn replied that he did nOv know. ' It was decided that the matter be considered when the estimates were under review next year.