NORTHCOTE ROAD DISPUTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 1651, 4 August 1881, Page 3

NORTHCOTE ROAD DISPUTE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —The anonymous communication of a correspondent writing about this locality contains statement? reflecting on the late Board of road trustees which are utterly untrue. The sore point with- him seems to bo the point where the new wharf is being erected, and the new road leading to it. That road he represents as having been made over a "precipice," on which the late Board "squandered money." This is a gross misrepresentation. The road in question, extending to about a mile from the old North Road, of which it is the direct continuation, is a portion of more than three miles of roadway, opened up, and constructed, by the late Eoacl Board, in the very heart of the district, and in compliance with memorials signed by about 100 settlers. Now, this road was constructed at a cost of Ss 6d per chain. The only steep part of it, leading to the water's edge, is about 100 yards in length, and its formation, giving access to the new wharf which is being built there by the Harbour Board, cost the enormous sum of £2 lis 9d. This road will shorten the distance to the ferry to all settlers in the norih and western parts of the district by more than a mile, and will directly lead to the building of alargenumbcrof houses at Xorthcote, and to the occupation by settlers of the neighbouring back-lying couutry. Another road constructed by the late Board is that connecting Stoke's Point with the Lake. The Government has regarded this as a work of so much importance that a grant has been made, on application of the Road Board, for its construction. By personal application two members of the late Road Board also obtained a free concession of the neccssary lands. The road is now nearly completed. It is of easy gradients and excellent construction. The distance between Lake Takapnna and Auckland is thereby shortened by more than two miles, and the road opens up a large area of Government and reserve lands for occupation. This new main road will prove a boon to the whole district, and also to the inhabitants of the neighbouring city. Previous Road Boards had ncgleeted to make the returns required by the Government, owing to which, and rates not being fully collected; a great part of the usual subsidies had been lost. For the first time during the past year, the Road Board endeavoured to do equal justice to all parts of the district, and a large number of ratepayers have now fair roads who had none before. So far from the main road being neglected, three-fourths of the sum of £100 given by the county were expended on the main road leading to Stokes' Point, mostly in metal; but this sum was quite inadequate for the metalling of that road, which, to the view of " a correspondent," is the only. one. The fact that 49 ratepayers remained to a late hour, and voted at the annual meeting for the re-election of the members of the former Board, proves that the Board had the support of more ratepayers than ever voted in the district before at an annual meeting; and but for irregularities which were allowed to take place, and many persons having to leave, the result would have been different from what it was. As it is, the " predecessors" of the present trustees have no cause to be ashamed of the work they were able to do for the district. The balance is in all respects to their credit, though they had no connection with any party or clique, and their only desire is to co-operate with others for the general welfare and progress of an important and attractive suburban district. —I am, &c.,

The Secretary of the Late Road Board.