MANAWATU GORGE CONTROL BOARD

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6844, 23 February 1929, Page 10

MANAWATU GORGE CONTROL BOARD

Holds Last Meeting ROAD TAKEN OVER BY MAIN HIGHWAYS BOARD HAPPY ASSOCIATIONS. Following the government’s decision to take over the control of tho Manawatu Gorge road from tho Board of Control, a wind-up meeting of _ the board was held ia Palmer-ston North yesterday. Mr A. J. Graham was in the chair, there being also present, Messrs Jos. Batehelar, O. McElroy, M. O. Grainger. R. S. Chadwick and H. Cornelius. A letter was received from the Main Highways board advising that a recent inspection of the Upper Gorge bridge disclosed that repairs were needed and requesting tho history of the bridge in regard to life and repairs, with a plan of the structure if such could be supplied. Tho matter was referred to the board’s engineer, Mr. S. Jickell. The Napier district highways council advised that the sum of £7B 5s Bd, being refund of Gorge board’s share of maintenance of the Gorge road from April 1 to June 30, 1928, had been approved. Board Disbanded.

Formal notification was received from the Main Highways boards to the effect that from April 1, 1929 the_ costs and charges incidental to the maintenance of the Gorge road would be taken over by that body. “I think that you will agree, gentlemen, that that is a very satisfactory conclusion to a matter for which we have been agitating for years,” commented the chairman after reading the notification.

A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the deputation which was successful in obtaining the government’s promise to take over the control of the road.

The folowing motions necessary for winding uxi the board were then passed: —

“That the Manawatu Gorge road board of control shall cease to operate as from March 31, 1929 and that the chairman', treasurer ,and secretary be authorised to take all steps necessary to wind up the affairs of tho board.” “That after discharging all liabilities the amount then standing to the credit of the Gorge maintenance account be returned to the comtrbuting bodies.”

Tho Board’s Work. “It will give satisfaction to every member that after so many years work, we have been successful in getting the government to take over the Gorge road,” said Mr Graham in closing the meeting. “It will bo admitted that a great deal of benefit has accrued to Palmerston North and the surrounding counties through tho very great improvement that has been effected in the condition of that road through the efforts of tho board. Nothing remains now but to hand it over to tho government in an extremely satisfactory condition. It is true that we shall still have some small liability to meet but we shall be more than compensated for what we have spent on the road by the service we have been able to render in improving what was really a main highway.” Mr Graham concluded by expressing his regret at the severance of his relations with members of the board but expressed the wish that they would all meet again in the course of other activities. Every member had at all times shown him the greatest courtesy and consideration as chairman and for this he expressed bis sincere appreciation, while wishing them all every happiness and prosperity in the future. Mr R. S. Chadwick, on behalf of his fellow members, reciprocated Mr. Graham’s good wishes and thanked him for the consideration he had always shown them. Although Mr. Graham was not their first chairman, ho was their last and they were glad that he had been with them when their work had concluded. Every member of the board appreciated the courtesy that had been shown them by the chairman and valued tho friendship tha.t had sprung up through their association.