GLEN EDEN ROADING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19032, 1 June 1925, Page 7

GLEN EDEN ROADING.

i S"', —In reply to "Ratepayer," I would like to say that the proposed alternative routes suggested by him were brought before the board and rejected, being aptly described by the chairman as ridiculous. 1 am quite prepared to admit that mere rejection by the board is not necessarily conclusive proof that the routes suggested are bad. The real tests are "public opinion" and "suitability." Up to the present public opinion has manifested itself very emphatically inasmuch as - until quite recent times Cemetery Road was the only metalled access to Glen Eden and practically all traffic used that route. Immediately however the West Coast Road was metalled all through traffic foisook tile old-established Cemetery Road arid ever since has adhered to the present West Coast Road, thus proving conclusively where the preferenco of the travelling public lies. "Ratepayer" claims that the Brandon Road is shorter, whereas the West Coast Road is the shorter route, and as regards the Cemetery Road it is about 30 chains longer than the West Coast Road route. Now as to suitability, what advantages can cither Cemetery Road or Brandon Road offer over the West Coast Road ? The main glory of Glen Eden is the views afforded from various parts of the district, and entrance via the West Coast Road, which is the "front door" of the district, affords a fine panorama. On the contrary Cemetery Koad and Brandon Road aro , both on the lower levels and afford no outlook, the main attractions on the one being the cemetery and the crematorium, and on the other the local slaughterhouse. The primary object of any road is to open up and give access to a given district, which is exactly what the West Coast Road does, running as it d?cs right through the heart of the district from east to west, whereas the alternatives suggested by would have the opposite effect, by cutting off part of the district. Cemetery Road has absolutely nothing to recommend it. First of all it is a boundary road, and skirts the district instead of running into it. Secondly, its inordinate length as already mentioned. Thirdly, its sharp and dangerous corner at its junction with the Great North Road, where, owing to the high bank on the one side, the view of approaching or passing traffic is obstructed. With regard to Brandon Road the defect is the cuttings and the big filling, which alone entirely puts it out of court as a possible main road. The most fatal defect of all, and which is common to both the Cemetery and Brandon roads, however, is the fact that the centre of the township can not be reached from either road, without having to cross over either one or other of two dangerous railway crossings.. Of course "Ratepayer" might argue that there is a railway crossing on the West Coast RoadQuite so, but with this difference—whereas the first two are permanent fixtures the Railway Department has already had under' consideration and even prepared plans for the elimination of the Scroggy Hill crossing by lowering the level of the railway line so that the West Coast Road will cross the line by an overhead bridge, and not. by a level crossing In conclusion,' "Ratepayer's" references to loan proposals are the usual old-time red' herrings, and have no bearing on the subject as to which is the best route. Moreover, it is no concern of the Town Board, as to whether rates shall bo levied on the improved or unimproved values. That is a matter which the law provides shall be settled by the ratepayers themselves. Likewise the question of valuation. l !. This is a Government prerogative, not a Town Board one. What the Town Board is after is a revision of the anomalies that exist in the valuations of the district, and which require remedying in the interests of the ratepayers. • J* §• Jlatts* I