GRANTS FOR ROADS

Northern Advocate, 23 May 1929, Page 7

GRANTS FOR ROADS

WHANGAREI COUNTY’S PROTEST.

.SCANTY TREATMENT IN THEi PAST. LARGER ALLOCATION WANTED. The matter of the meagre amount of Government grants in, aid of Tola ds formation, and metalling in the Northern Peninsula" lias occasioned the Whlangarei County Council to write, to the Minister of Public Works, under the hand of the County Clerk, as follows:

1 ‘ Sir, —-I ha VO' tho honour by direction of this council to . appeal for p. substantial increase in the annual roads grant allocation for North' of Auckland.

“The scanty treatment meted out for a great number of.years in the middle history of the north of Auckland District has undoubtedly left • its ; mark, and the Northern Peninsula Jo-, day is, in the opinion, of this council, in need of special treatment in tho ’ matter of roads, if it is to take its place ■ with the more fortunate and favoured portions of the Dominion.

“This council considers that a much larger allocation in grant money is annually needed in order to meet the urgent demand for improved road access to outlying districts and holdings which have been neglected in the past, and which, are now being rapidly brought into production.

“In all eases increased production and closer settlement calls for better reading facilities, but this council has got to the stage when it finds it impossible, with the funds at is disposal, to maintain the metallled roads already in existence, and at the same time give adequate consideration and attention to the reading of the backblocks. Nor is it possible to increase the burden of local taxation.

“It is, therefore, with a strong and earnest desire to improve the conditions of settlers farming ki the outlying districts, as well as a desire to encourage closer settlement, that my council seeks to enlist your sympathies in favour of its request for a greater annual allocation for roads and bridges in the North of Auckland.’’

Messrs A, J. Murdoch and H. M. Rushworth, M’s.P., have been asked by the council to approach the Minister and make urgent representations for increased allocations.