Immediate Response To Mangonui Appeal

Northern Advocate, 21 July 1949, Page 9

Immediate Response To Mangonui Appeal

FINANCING ROAD WORKS

KAITAIA, Thu. (Sp.).—The Commissioner of Works had asked the district engineer, Auckland, to make an examination of the works and financial position of Mangonui County.

The Mangonui County Council received this advice' from the Minister of Works (Hon. R. Semple) at its monthly meeting yesterday. This followed a personal approach to the Minister by the chairman (Mr W. J. Steed) last month, to discuss the financial position.of the council and its difficulty in providing adequate funds for maintenance of roads and renewal of bridges. The engineer (Mr A. M. Theed) reported that the district engineer, Whangarei (Mr Gar’lick) had visited the district the previous day, had been given full figures and particulars in support of the council’s case by himself and the clerk (Mr A. J. Mackintosh) and had inspected several badly deteriorated roads FAVOURABLE COMMENT The fact that the council’s claims had been already recognised to the extent of a departmental engineering inspection was favourably commented on by Cr W. P. Hales

This proved at least that the chairman and staff had put forward an impressive case.

. The. council could afford to be hopeful of some financial assistance, said Cr I. J. Bcrghan.

He would communicate further with the council when he had been more fully advised on the position, the Minister stated.

Heavy load maintenance expenditure was reported for the past week by the clerk

SPENT BY CHRISTMAS

“If the present rate of expenditure is maintained, all available funds will be used up before Christmas, 1949,” he warned the council.

Road maintenance during the wet weather was absolutely essential, said he chairman

“If the council cannot keep its roads jpen it should stand aside and let the Government take over,” he commented. This position obtained particularly in view of proposed state expenditure on scenic routes, Mr Steed said. It was reasonable to expect some assistance for county roads in this light, he maintained.