CORONATION DRIVE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22518, 8 September 1936, Page 10

CORONATION DRIVE

BOAD IN WAITAKEKES PROMISE BY MINISTER START IN THREE WEEKS LOCAL BODY CONTRIBUTIONS "This job will go on and wo will make a start with 50 men in tho next three weeks," said tho Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semplo, at n conference at the Town Hall yesterday with representatives of tho local bodies in tho metropolitan area, when tho contributions of these bodies toward the cost of the proposed ridgeway drivo in tho Waitakoi'o Ranges was discussed. Tho City Council undertook to find tho sum of £14,500, which the local bodies are to contribute, and to its quota from each of those contributing. Tho Minister later suggested that the road should be known as Coronation Drive, and the Mayor, Mr. I'.rncst Davis, agreed to submit the proposal to tho local bodies for their approval. The Mayor also stated his intention to invito the Governor-General, Viscount Galway, to turn tho first sod. Government's Generous Offer Tho Mayor said that the work on the road was estimated to cost £93,000 and the Government had offered a subsidy of £78,500, leaving the local bodies to find £14,500. A scale of contributions covering 23 local bodies had been drawn up, and 11 of these bodies had accepted, undertaking to find a total of £11,827. There were 12 refusals, totalling £2673. They were anxious to 'ttako advantage of tho Government's generous offer, Mr. Davis continued, and he hoped that the local bodies which had stood out would reconsider their position. The bodies which had refused were the four North Shore boroughs, Helensvillo, Ellerslio, Howick, Papatoetoe, Mount Wellington, Panmuro, Otahuhu, and Manukau County. The Mayor of Takapuna, Mr. J. Guiniven, said his borough had refused to contribute as it would not derive any benefit. Ho doubted whether anyone from the North Shore would ever use the road. In view of the hundreds of children in the city who wero ailing and needing sunshine, the money could be better spent on building the harbour bridge.

Mr. Semple and Harbour Bridge The Minister said ho was sorry that the local bodies had failed to reach unanimity on this project as ho was sure that there had never been such a generous offer. Ho was advised that this road would bo a great asset to Auckland and the surrounding areas, opening up splendid scenic views which would be an attraction to visitors and residents alike.

Mr. Scruple could not agree with the suggestion that people from the North Shore would not use the rond. Recent figures showed that new motorcars were taking the road at the rate of 100 a day. He felt that as the motorcar became an instrument of pleasure it became essentia! that the country should be opened so that the people could enjoy their own country. "As to the harbour bridge." said Mr. Semple, "that is a great big question. It took an Auckland meeting only five minutes to decido how it •was to be financed. Well, they were wonderful financial wizards. Tho Government .is to find £2,000,000, but we are not half so insane as that. We will first of all want to know its valtio to all the people, and who are going to uso it, before we dip into tho public's pocket for £2,000,000. Perhaps there are a lot of people who would like to see us trip like that." Suggestion by Mr. Davis While congratulating those bodies which had agreed to contribute, tho Minister made an appeal to the others to reconsider their decision, saying that he was not prepared to find tho £2OOO required. There would bo no need for these bodies to pay right away, as the City Council was guaranteeing tho whole amount, and arrangements couJd be mado for repayments to the council to be mado over a period of 10 years. Tho Mayor said he had been considering the matter and, although he had no authority from his council for making the suggestion, ho proposed that the Waitemata County Council, through whose territory tho road would pass, should be responsible for £673 of the sum of £2,673 outstanding, and the City Council would find 50ppetr t cent of tho remainder. Work lor 50 Men at Start

This was supported by Mr. E. J. Rhelan and Mr. A. Rosser, while Mr. W. A. Bishop, representing the Waitemata County Council, expressed ' the opinion that his council would find the extra money. After others had spoken on the need for proceeding with the work as a metropolitan project, Mr. Davis said it was regrettable that they had not been able to show a more wholehearted attitude. However, he would write. to the local bodies who had stood out asking them to reconsider their attitude. If the Minister would start the work they would arrange the matter of the local bodies' contribution among themselves. Mr. Semple announced that the work would start in about three weeks, starting with 50 men and increasing until they had the maximum of 200 men. The work would take two years to complete and, as it was not proposed to mechanise the job, the bulk of the £93,000 to be spent would go into the pockets of tho workers and would bo distributed to the business community throughout that period.