MAUNU HIGHWAY

Northern Advocate, 3 July 1928, Page 10

MAUNU HIGHWAY

PETROL TAX REVENUE INTEREST ON LOAN With reference to loan proposals about to be placed before the ratepayers, the Mayor (Mr L. J. Brake) spoke at last night’s meeting of the Whangarei Borough Council concerning the need for renewing the Maunu Road extension and Otaika Road. He felt that if the plans could be got out it would be good business to include the items. The council was obtaining £6OO from the petrol tax, but maintenance of the road was costing about £SOO, so he contended that it would be wise to raise sufficient money to renew the roads. The £6OO had to be spent upon the main highway, and his Worship submitted that it would be advisable that it should be spent in interest and sinking fund of a loan for expenditure on the roads. He moved that the Council give notice of its intention of raising a loan of £5830, for a period of 20 years, to include provision of two 12-ft-wide footpaths to the hospital gates and one to the boundary. All realised the deplorable condition of Maunu and Otaika Roads, and he did not wish any to think that the proposal had been sprung upon them. Replying to a question, Mr Brake stated that the allocation of £6OO to the highway was made on a population basis.

Need for provision of means of maintenance as well as for renewal of the road was voiced by Cr L. T. Pickmere, who felt that it was rather a big matter to spring on a meeting. He would like to have more time to consider it.

Cr A. T. Brainsby asked if there were any objection to the proposal going before the Works Committee, the Mayor replying that he had none, but he deplored delay, as all knew the present state of the roads. The questioner stated that he would have preferred a report, but did not propose moving an amendment, and the motion was then carried.