AWAROA ROAD LOAN.

Northern Advocate, 9 December 1916, Page 2

AWAROA ROAD LOAN.

THREATENED LIT I CATION

RIPARIAN RIGHTS AFFECTED.

At the monthly meeting of the Whangarei County Council yesterday the following motion was advanced: — "That the resolution authorising the raising of'a loan of £1000 for form ing, etc., of a portion of the bead 1 , road to Awaroa Creek and passed as a special order at a special meeting of the Council held for that purpose on the 3rd day of November, 1916, be now confirmed." Cr. Tattley said that a complication had arisen which ought to be thoroughly understood 'before anything further was done in the mater. Mr J". R. Reyburn had said that if the loan were gone on with, for the ro id line now defined, he would fight it to the last copper, as it was a serious interference with his riparian rights. "And we know," said Cr. Tattley, "what happened when 'the Council crossed legal swords with Mr Reyburn on a previous occasion." Continuing, Cr. Tattley said that Mr Reyburn would not -oppose the loan ':' a certain alternative road route were adopted. The chairman corroborated the position as put by Cr. Tattley. An al. tcrnative route, nearer ;-i t'u> rivr. could be adopted with the consent jf the Harbour Board. It would cut off about ~V> acres of foreshore mudflat, and if Mr Reyburn were given a 99-year lease of the severed-portion, at a peppercorn rental, he would noi oppose tin loan. The chairman thought that Mr. Reyburn's stipulations were very reasonable. Cr. .Uorey, member for the Manaia riding, in which the proposed, road is situated, said that the suggested alternative route was just as good as the original one. Pending any later decision on that point, it would be advisable to cor firm tiie special order, which would otherwise lapse by effluxion of time. The confirmation J.id not necessarily, imply that the ; .).U),. with the present route conditions attaching, would have to be gone en with.

It was the \io\v of the chairman that tho ratepayers concerned could enforce the loan as it stood if ihe special order were ratified. As a. result of these opposing opinions it was decided to obtain log<il advice .on thg point, and at a later stage of the meeting a solicitor's opinion was rea:.!, its chief eTo:,t bcir;; tb;>' actual borrowing aiul procedure wkh the work was not compulsory l>y reo'■■oll of the confirmation of the spe."ru order conferring such power, "Cr. Morey then moved, cud Cr. Koiv irecVonded, Wat the ''spcciial order ':>■'■. .cbn.firmeci. and the motion was adopt -d. wiihoui disseiit.