CLARENDON ROAD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20101, 18 May 1927, Page 7

CLARENDON ROAD.

MENACE TO PUBLIC. QUESTION OF SUBSIDY. Included in the correspondence dealt with at the meeting of the Highways Council on Monday was a letter from the Otago Expansion League, in which the Clarendon road was described as a menace to public safety, The league suggested a £2 for £1 subsidy from the Highways Board to assist in removing this menace. This letter, with a request for a report, had been forwarded to Mr J. Marks, who informed No. 17 District Highways Council on Monday afternoon that*he had discussed the problem with the council. His report now read that by refusing to eliminate the riding system, the council had virtuallj decided to let some of the sections go to pot. After fighting the council with tho threat that the Highways Board’s subsidy would be refused, he admitted that the position was beyond them. The reconstruction for six miles would cost £IB,OOO. In an honest endeavour to maintain the highways the County Council had been reasonably successful, save in the hopelessly poor riding in which the Taieri-Ferry Clarendon road was situated. The real trouble was that the rates were already high enough, and insufficient to keep up and restore the section. The other ridings in the county could not afford to give money for this riding. No permanent scheme could bo suggested to deal quickly enough with the section. The placing of 10 cubic yards per chain of Manuka Gorge gravel and water tabling would cost £4OOO, and maintenance would be necessary. The Expansion League’s proposals could not be accepted. Every case had to be considered on its merits, and this road was so bad as to necessitate special consideration, and he would suggest that the board give £3OOO for £IOOO. Mr Marks said that since the report had been prepared the Bruce County Council had eliminated the riding system, and was prepared to spend, £IOOO from the general fund. During the past financial year the county had spent £125 per mile maintenance on the 31 miles of the Dunedin-Invercargill main highway in its district. That was fairly hard going. The question of the Taieri Ferry-Claren-don road was now a matter between the Highways Board and the public, as the county acknowledged its inability in the position with its finances. Mr D. W. Jack: You will find a number of counties like that now. Mr H. M. Driver moved that support be given to tho recommendations of the chairman. . As the increased subsidy was in tlie public’s interest, said Mr W. Blackie, ho would second the motion. Mr Marks: You know I am in the dual position as representative of the Highways Board and chairman of this council. I have had to put through a recommendation from this council and then report against it. The motion was carried.