SEDDON STREET

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2309, 30 November 1925, Page 2

SEDDON STREET

(To Tho Editor.) Sir, —Mr. Oram's letter to yon ora this subject Is somewhat spacious and he talks round tho subject without reference to tho vital details which have been supplied by tho Municipal Solicitor, Mr. Martin. In his letter <?t July 18, Mr, Martin Mates definitely: “It is settled Jaw by a series of English and Now Zealand decisions, that local bodies are only empowered not compelled, to construct or repair their roads or streets. So that oven It Hcddon struct has become a public street your question whether there i a a legal obligation on tho Council to open up the said street Is answered: No." As to whether the Connell might if so willing execute any works in Hoddon street ho replies In a letter dated July 30 In tho affirmative, his opinion being that Becldon street was a public street on tho evidence submitted. There i B not the slightest doubt, Sir, that tho Council was precipitate in its action. There is no settlement on Hoddon si root ot all. And tho possibility is there will not be any ror many years. The work of tho Council Is not to facilitate private owners In “making hay” through, tho expenditure of public money. If those owners ore anxious to scoop. In Immediate profits lot them make a proposition to tho Council to share a part of the cose of reading. In tho meantime tho Borough has not too much money at Its command for immediate and necessary works where settlement Is crowded. It Is difficult to understand Mr Oram’s insistence on tho “moral obligations” .of tho Council in this matter. In closing,, Sir, lot mo remind ono and nil that It is hard enough for the Council to stand up to Us legal and business obligations without shouldering unneeded work of this sort.—Yours faithfully, J. HODGENS.

[To the Editor,] Sir,—)!n your Issue of the Daily Times of the 27th lust., Mr. Oram has a •ieltor dealing with the question Of ocdd.on street and therein quoting n portion of tho Municipal Association .HolitUbr’s 'communication to the Palmerston North Borough Council on this much vexed question, but I notice he leaves out a most important part ot the opinion, i.c. "(2) Tho showing of the roads on tho land transfer plan did not necessarily make them public streets.” “(3) It is settled law. by a scries of English and New Zealand decisions, that local bodies are onry empowered, not compelled, to consi met or repair their reads and streets, so that it Seddon street has become a public street your question whether there Is a legal obligation on tho Council to open up tho said street Is answered No.” This opinion is dated July .13, 3 925. The foregoing is an answer to the following question put by the Council on July Stir; “Tho owners of the land abutting tho street in question claim (hat It is tho obligation of tho Council to open up tho said roadway, complete the work and provide the cost out of revenue.” Sir, it appears to me to he quite plain from tho legal opinions that Seddon street was not a public street, and tho Council had no obligation in the matter. To me tho reference to tho original streets on tho Government plan of the Borough of Palmerston North by Mr Oram as being on tho same footing as Soddon street Is quite absurd. Mr. Oram uses tho word "common-sanse.” I quite agree that only comraonsense should be talked and written in this matter.—l am, etc., WILLIAM MILVERTON. Main Street, Palmerston N. November 28, 1925.