Cannot Accept Further Liability

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6626, 12 August 1931, Page 3

Cannot Accept Further Liability

FOR ROAD MAINTENANCE COST MANAWATU COUNTY’S POSITION With regard to the maintenance of the Himatangi-Rangiotu section of No. 52 main highway, the Public Works Department advised yesterday’s meeting of the Manawatu County Council that tho Main Highways Board had decided to vote £1360, on a £2 for £1 basis, roquiring the council to find £6BO instead of £336 for its share of the maintenance for the current year. The council had asked the board to lind £l6O-1 on a £5 for £1 basis, as it could only provide £33G. The department recognised that something should bo done to this road, and the board Jmd under consideration the voting from tho construction fund of £2OOO (£3 for £1) on account, towards the permanent surfacing of the highway. If this money wore voted it would complete only a small portion of this section, and it would be necessary to delay the work until towards the end of the year. “I think the council should stand firm,’’ said the chairman (Or. W. E. Barber), in discussing the letter, and he went on to say that while the council could not afford to let tho road go to pieces, it was in the position of not being able to provide more than £330. It was interesting to note that the council’s share of the money already expended amounted to £275 16/3, and there was a good part of the year to go-

Cr. W. E. Pearce considered it was very unfair of the Highways Board to force the council’s hand and place the responsibility upon it for the maintenance of the highway. It was all very well for tho Highways Board to ask the council to provide an increased sum. The council could not do it, as it had its by-roads to look after. Cr. J. Boyc-e expressed the opinion that tho council had spent too mueli money on the main roacls for tho benefit, of tho travelling public. The council had a duty to its ratepayers in looking after tho side roads. Cr. D. W. Reid considered that the board should have provided for the scaling to go ahead as soon as the road was built up'in readiness for tho work. After further discussion tho following resolution, moved by Crs. J. McKclvic and H. H, Hunt, was carried: “That the Highways Board bo informed that the council is not in a position to expend more money on the HimatangiRangiotu road than has been provided for in the annual estimates.”