MANAWATU GORGE

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2715, 24 June 1925, Page 11

MANAWATU GORGE

Control And Construction Of Road RENEWED REQUEST FOR NATIONALISATION. " '*■ Tho nationalisation of the Manawatu Gorge road was urged upon the Minister of Publio Works (the Hon. J. G. Coates) yesterday by a deputation representing the various local bodies which at present are contributing to its construction and maintenance says the “Post." In outlining the object of the deputation, .Mr E. A. Ransom (M.P. for Pahlatua) said that the contributing bodies were not satisfied with the present position In regard to the upkeep of the road, nor with the commitments recently made by the chairman of the board with the Minister. They felt that tho contributions that were agreed upon originally were ample, and they protested that they were not In a position to provide the extra finance required to complete the road.

The Minister: “What Is the balance of money required?” Mr Ransom: “Some £IB,OOO extra.” Ho emphasised the'fact that the road constituted a national gateway between the eastern and southern portions of the North Island, and that it was of no real commercial value to the bodies which contributed towards its construction and maintenance. Had the Main Highways Bill been introduced earlier, there would have been no need to set up th e board. One of the difficulties that had stood in the way of the Government taking over the road sooner was that it would have contributed a precedent for maintenance and control of roads generally. The deputation felt justified in making their request now, however, for a precedent had been established in respect to the Paekakarikt roa d. They were not satisfied that the basis of allocation of contributions was fair, and they felt they were being penalised for the general convenience and advantage of traffic through the district. When the establishment of the board was first suggested a fl for £1 basis of contribution was proposed. To date the local bodies affected had contributed £26,000, whereas on a £,t for £1 basis they would not have paid more than £20,000. The bodies did not ask to be relieved of the amount of present contributions, but he thought the Minister would recognise they had been generous in their contributions to the national scheme. They asked that they should be penalised no further in regard to construction.

Several speakers explained the case of tho Individual local bodies affected, and a resolution was presented asking the Government forthwith to relieve the contributing local bodies from any further liability In respect to the Gorge road and bridges, by declaring it a public road under the Public Works Act, 1908, without contributions from any local authority as provided for in tho Main Highways Act. The Minister pointed out that the depax-tmental engineers had disapproved of the scheme laid down by the board’s engineers on the ground that it was extravagant and unnecessarily expensive. It was clearly pointed out to the board where they were getting to in the mafter of expenditure, but the board insisted upon doing the work according to their ideas and went ahead, knowing that, they would have to pay the extra expense. “We went in for a good job.” remarked a member of the deputation. “Yes,” agreed Mr Coates, “then why not pay for it?” Mr Ransom; “We think the Government should be equally responsible for this road as far as the Paekakarlki and Rimutaka roads. The local bodies have borne the extra enpense, and I don’t think they should be expected to maintain the road" for the benefit of the whole of the North Island." The Minister said the matter would be opened up afresh and considered by the Department.