NGAWHAKARAU ROAD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7069, 31 July 1901, Page 2

NGAWHAKARAU ROAD.

The Commission to determine the apportionment of the proposed construction and repairs to the Ngawhakarau road will sit at the Courthouse to-morrow before Mr Shortt. head clerk in- tlio lands Department, whose knowledge of the locality and tlie nature of the work required will be of considerable value in arriving at a satisfactory decision in the matter. As general]j understood, the Manawatu Road Board look the initiatory steps in connection with tho setting up of the commission, citing the Manawatu County Council as a contributory body, both of these bodies being in re-ceipt-of rates from properties °in the vicinity of the road and also interested in its proper maintenance and construction. Since the appointment of the commission the Manawatu County Council has cited the Palmerston North and Foxton Borough Councils as contributory bodies, It is a moot point whether the County Council has power to take the step it has and, though the Borough Council will be represented at the commission, the question will be argued by the Borough Solicitor. No details of the proposed work, price, plans or m fact anything has been submitted to the Council in connection with the matter. This is, we understand, the first occasion the Public Works Amendment Act, 1900, has been availed of in connection with the construction of a road, the Act previously haying contained provisions only for the building of bridges, ferries, &c. At the meeting of the Council held on Monday afternoon, the liability of the Borough in the matter was strongly protested against and, as will be seen by a perusal of the Mayor's remarks on the subject, he considered the proposal to rate the Borough for the work only equivalent to endeavouring to obtain contributions from adjacent local bodies for the proper maintenance of the Borough, roads and streets used by their settlers in their business with, the town