THE GORGE ROAD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1717, 7 January 1920, Page 7

THE GORGE ROAD.

ESTABLISHMENT OF BOARD OF

CONTROL.

' • LOCAL BODIES CONFER.

As a consequence of tho legislation enacted during .last session of Parliament empowering contributing authorities, to the Manawatu Gorge bridge and road to set up a board of control, a meeting, of representatives of,the local'bodies interested was held yesterday at Woodville, Air H, Cornelius, chairman of the Pahiatua ' County Council, presided, ■ and other delegates present were: Palmerston North Borough, Hr J, A. .Nash, H.P., (Mayor); Kairanga County Council,' Messrs J. Linklater and M. A; Moody; Pahiatua Borough, Mr J. D. E. Crewe (Mayor); County Council, Mr T. Hodgins; Woodville Borough, Mr H. P. Horne (Mayor) County Council, Mr C. F. Baker; Dannevirke County Council, Mr.J. Ellingharn;. Rangitikei County Council, Mr Bryce; Foildjng Borough Council, Mr Baltrop; Oroua County Council, Mr H. Burrell. Mr Horne (Woodville Borough) also represented Dannevirko Borough, ■in the unavoidable absence of the Mayor of that town. Waipawa Borough was the only locality affected ,of which a representative of its Council was not present. The -chairman explained that as the time for appointing representatives to the Board of Control - Inis expired in November it would bo necessary to apply to tho Governor-in-Council for an extension of time. 1 Some expressions of disapproval were made at a meeting of delegates from so many outlying districts having been called for the purpose of merely making an application for an extension of the period allowed in which to set up the Controlling Board. Finally it was decided on the motion of 'Mr Nash, seconded by Mr Hodgins, that tho Minister of Public Works should be asked to extend the time for one month, from .date, and that the Pahiatua County Council request the various local bodies to appoint their representatives under' the Board of Control Act, the latter to meet at Woodville Inter in the month...when the Board of Control would be duly sot up. The question then arose as to where the Board should hold its (regular meetings. Mr Nash expressed his preference for Palmerston North, but the matter was left over for consideration until next meeting. The matter of expenditure was raised by Mr Crewe in saying that he hoped the Board would be considerate to small boroughs like Pahiatua, Mr Bryce suggested , that, at the next meeting, a deputation should be-appointed to aproach the Minister with regard to increased subsidies to local bodies, a portion of which could bo devoted to the upkeep of the Gorge bridge.' ' Mr Nash favoured the system of a subsidy to the Board itself and said that ho was sure the money accruing to it would bo dealt with judiciously with proper regard to tho slender means of tho smaller boroughs. The necessity for maintaining a good line 01 communication through the Gorge was one of national importance. Palmerston North Borough had been levied 24 pier cent., but was anxious to have tho Gorge road and bridge made .safe for traffic. The Minister was not in favour of expending the estimated cost of £17,C00 to £IB,OOO on a now bridge at the present time, but' had promised a subsidy of £9OO for repairs to tho structure. Mr Nash added Hint in the. past he had observed that the Pahiatua County Council, tho controlling body, had been very careful and moderate in its expenditure and charges in the upkeep of tho Gorges road and- bridge. .

The chairman observed that his Council had "always endeavoured to keep the road and bridge in good repair, and to keep down expenditure. Some of tho local bodies concerned had been chary with their contributions and his County was not sorrv to see the- matter placed under tho jurisdiction, of a Board of Control.