COST OF THE HUTT ROAD

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9094, 13 July 1915, Page 6

COST OF THE HUTT ROAD

PETONE COUNCIL'S QUOTA

The question of Petone’s contribution to the cost of the construction of the Hutt road was brought forward by the Mayor ol the borough (Mr J. W. MoEwnn) at the council meeting Jest night, when a copy of the Hutt Road Bill, which' is to be introduced to Parliament this sess:on, was received from' Mr T. M. Wilford, M.P. The bill provides that the City Connoil bo appointed tlie controlling body, and it is proposed that the local bodies concerned shall pay • their quota to that body. There is a clause in the bill giving a local body -oiver to object to the expenditure on maintenance. The Mayor pointed out that the Minister had been empowered to place any objection before a commissioner, but hb still retained the power to veto any decision , that may bo arrived at by the commissioner. The clause might be described as legal bluff. The Government had agreed to • cut doivn the cost of the road .to £4O 000, and Petone a ■ quo a was . Jet down at £IO,BOO. The period of payment extended over , 50 years and was at the, rate of 4j per cent. Mr McEwan proposed: "That the council petition Parliament asking th t the bill be not proceed e<x -with until the local bodies are heard in opposition .to it." Mr Wilford had approved of this course being taken, stated Mr McEwan, and Petonc would be backed up by Lower Hutt, Makara and Onslow Councils in its protest. Jt was proposed to ask these local bodies to join in the petition. Under the prfesent arrangement Petonc would be called upon to pay £360 a year for its share of the upkeep of the road and £SOO towards the construeboA deputation -will wait on the Prime Minister to present the protest this Hutt Borough Council also strongly objected last night, to the work being placed entirely in the bands of the Wellington City Council, but it was resolved to await the result of this morning’s deputation before going further in the matter.