GOVERNMENT ASKED TO TAKE OVER THE GORGE ROAD LOAN

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6919, 27 May 1929, Page 4

GOVERNMENT ASKED TO TAKE OVER THE GORGE ROAD LOAN

Minister Sympathetic

BUT AFRAID TO OPEN DOOR TOO WIDE REPLACING OF BRIDGES. A request that the government should take over the loan indebtedness of the several local bodies who had contributed towards the improvement of the Manawatu Gorge road, was placed before the Hon. E. A. Ransom (Minister of Public Works) on Saturday by a deputation which waited upon him in Palmerston North. The local bodies represented were Palmerston North, Feilding, Pahiatua, Dannevirke and Woodville Borough councils, and Pahiatua, Woodville and Bangitikei County councils. The Case Presented. Mr. S. Bolton (Pahiatua county) was the first speaker and explained to the Minister that the Highways board had

taken over the maintenance of tho Gorge road and what was now wanted was for the government to take over all the obligations in connection with the road loan. The Gorge highway was an important one, connecting the cast and west coasts. The local bodies had taken up the work of improvement and had been rash in so doing, because they only got 6s subsidy in the £l, whereas had they left the work until to-day, they would have got at least £2 in the £]. That was the main argument that ho would use in asking the government to take over the loan raised to do the work. The cost of construction, including all expenses thereto, had been £51,405 and the cost borne by those local bodies cited to contribute, £35,Sl9 of which £33,000 was raised by way of loan. The interest and sinking fund would amount annually to £2640. It might be argued that the total cost included such expenses as administration and engineering, purchase of plant, etc. but on the other hand, even if the department had carried out the wora, such expenses would have been inquired. On the State's own admission, the road was of national importance in that the Highways board had now assumed the responsibility of maintenance. Subsidies to-day as high as £5 in the £1 were being granted for works of no greater importance to the community. If a former government had created an injustice by saddling the greater part of the Gorge expenditure on tho local bodies, then they contended the measure' of Telief now sought should be granted. If the local

bodies had acred in haste in proceeding with the Gorge road, it had been their desire to provide a safe road. The Minister himself, Mr. Bolton added, had as a member of Parliament, on more than one occasion made representations to the then government on the same lines as the deputation made its present request. . Mr. Richardson, of the Rangitikei County council, mentioned one or two facts in connection with the road and placed before tho Minister a plan of tho district which had to contribute towards the cost of reconstruction. It was inequitable that the whole district should have to bear the burden of a highway that was a national one, rather than a local one.

Mr. Norman (Woodville County) mentioned that a loan extended over 33 years was going to hit posterity, which should not have to pay. Ho quoted figures showing that the Woodville County was burdened to the extent of £6 per ratepayer. Mr. J. A. Nash M.P., who claimed to be responsible for the Gorge Road Board of Control, said ho had made representations to the late Mr. Massey concerning the road improvements and the latter had remarked upon the dangerous nature of the road. When the board was set up, it was generally understood that the government would be at the back of any work undertaken. There had been discussions on the width of tho road and now they had a safe highway on which a woman could drive. It was quite fair for the government to assist. Had the work

not neon done there was no doubt that tho Gorge road would have been one of the first works the Highways board would have undertaken but in tlioso days, no one dreamed of a Highways board. Tho road constructed was used by the whole of New Zealand and it was a pleasure to drive through—a result of the burden that the contributing bodies had shouldered. The Mayor (Mr. A. J. Graham) said tho Palmerston North Borough was quite in sympathy with the requests of the deputation. Palmerston North was indebted to the Gorge road to the extent of about £BOOO and the annual interest and sinking fund payable wms £539. Mr. Graham extended the Minister a welcome to Palmerston North on this his first official visit.

Mr. Harding (Woodville Borough) pointed out that the Woodville Borough council had opposed the setting up of the Gorge Road Board of Control. Its burden was the heaviest of any—about £5 10s per ratepayer. The late Mr. Massey had acknowledged that certain roads of New Zealand should be maintained out of the consolidated fund and ho thought the deputation could urge its request with confidence.

Danger of Precedent. In replying to the deputation, Mr. Ransom stated that there was no need for him to state that the local bodies had his sympathies. He thought they had been justified in bringing up the question of the capital charges, because it was agreed that had the Highways system been in vogue when the

Gorge road was done, the local bodies i concerned would not have incurred the expense. But that did not get over the difficulty he was in, namely, what claims might arise in respect of many other works if he gave way in the matter of the Gorge road. Ho might he faced with similar claims in respect of roads in borough. Taranaki was coming with the request that the State take over the bitumenous scaled Toads and he was afraid that once the door was opened, he might he _ unable to shut it. Ho was sympathetic with the request of the deputation and would be pleased to place the matter before the Highways board, which was far removed from political influence. Ho would take the first opportunity to discuss the matter with the chairman. The Gorge road was one they could be proud of—the safest piece of road between Wellington and Napier. The Minister mentioned a matter that had not been referred to by the speakers—that of the government contributing towards the cost of the upper and lower bridges in the Gorge, which would want renewing. Seeing that the local bodies had borne such a large portion of tho road expense, perhaps relief that would compensate them for what they had done, could be given when a call was made to replace the bridges. To take over the whole of the road loan would not be altogether reasonable because tho local bodies would have been asked to contribute somcthing. . He could not allow the fact that no was associated with the district, to influence him in the matter of giving re lief. The question would have to be viewed from the national aspect. Mr. Hansom thanked Mr. Graham for his welcome. . Mr. Bolton thought that in making representations to the Highways board, the Minister might suggest a subsidy ot £2 for tho £l, so as to bring the local bodies into line with others which had undertaken similar work. Mr. Bolton thanked tho Minister for his courteous hearing. .