FOXTON BEACH ROAD

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 119, 21 April 1936, Page 8

FOXTON BEACH ROAD

TAR-SEALING PROPOSAL. COUNCIL'S UNDERTAKING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) FOXTON, April 21. The Foxton Borough Council has agreed to the Manawatu - County Council s proposal that it should contribute £25 pci annum towards the cost of tar-sealing the Foxton-Boach highway and, according to a statement made at tho council meeting held last evening, when the decision _ was arrived at, tho work will be put in naucl immediately and should be completed ,)Cr fore the middle of Decomber. When the Borough Council met last evening, a deputation comprising Messrs A. Alsop, J. Maepherson, If. bn. ol ™ (Manawatu Heads), W. Dustin and C. RTutty (Foxton), and W. Barlmg and L. Watchorn (Palmerston North) was in attendance to ask that the council give favourable consideration to the County Council’s offer to seal the road, if the Foxton Harbour Board and the Borough Council would contribute £25 per annum towards tho cost. The deputation was introduced by Cr J. L. Christie. . Mr Alsop roferred to tho existing dangerous state of tho highway anc tho increase In volume of traffic it was being called on to carry. Many people were resident at tho beach, he said, who domed their livelihood in Foxton and they were compelled to pay bus faros to and from Foxton as the road was too rough to cycle ovci. With others ho had canvassed Foxton and the beach during the past two days with petitions asking that the council gi' favourable consideration to the County Council’s offer and they had mot only one rC ]\lr Tutty (President of tho * Foxton Chamber of Commerce) presented the Mayor with a petition signed by Foxton business people. He said that they wero of the opinion that within one year they would recoup any extra burden by way ot rates if tho council agreed to tho expendi*UMr W. Barling said that if the council agreed to the scheme and the road was sealed they intended. to press the Munawatu County Council for the dedication of the remaining Bcaoh roads and streets, and they would have a good case to pre--B°Mr Watchorn asked the council to take a broad-minded view of the proposal. He said that, excluding Sundays, the cost to the council over the whole year would not be more than Is 7d per day. The Beach was urgently in need of some better roading facility. . Cr Barron intimated that the dedication of the other Beach roads and streets was a mattor for the Foxton Harbour Board and that the Manawatu County Council was prepared to take them over just as soon as the boaTd prepared the necessary plans. This, of courae, would cost the board a good’ deal. , Tho Mayor thanked the deputation for the earnest manner in which it had taken the matter up and said that it was very gratifying to find men taking such keen interest in the Beach. After tho retirement of the deputation the Manawatu County Council’s formal lottor asking for tho council’s co-operation was read. Cr Barron immediately moved that the council pay tho £25 per annum. In doing so he said that a good road would be an asset to Foxton. Business people would benefit considerably and the. council would soon recoup its outlay in increased picture takings alone. Cr Middleton seconded the motion. Hie beach he said was 'largely patronised by F'oxtpn people and any expenditure by the council was in the interests of tho health of tho community. Cr Barron said the County t Council would not submit the matter to a poll of ratepayers, but' would proceed with tho work at once if tho Borough Council agreed to tho proposal. If not, tho council certainly would submit tho matter to a poll and it would be turned down by the ratepayers. Cr Robinson spoke in favour of accepting tho offer. Cr Rangiheuea (secretary to tho Foxton Harbour Board) said that it was doubtful if tho Harbour Board would be able to find its quota. In conversation with the Government auditor ho had been informed thaL there was some doflbt on the matter. Filially it was unanimously agreed to contribute the £25 as suggested.