PENINSULA COUNTY ROADS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20323, 3 February 1928, Page 2

PENINSULA COUNTY ROADS.

MOVEMENT FOR IMPROVEMENT MACHINERY TO BE PROCURED. DISCUSSION BY COUNCIL. For quite a long time it has been apparent that some special effort would have to be made to improve the roads in the Peninsula County. The principal roads in this area are traversed by hundreds of motor vehicles every day, and they have gradually gone from bad to until they have reached the stage of being in a decidedly bad condition. The County Council, which started to function some five or six months ago, realised the importance of putting the roads in good order, but it necessarily took some time to get everything into running order and find out what the financial prospects were, seeing that the coucil took over the obligations of no fewer than four road boards. Matters were allowed to remain as before so far as maintenance work was concerned, but, judging by the discussion at the council meeting yesterday, there is every reason to hope that something in the way of introducing up-to-date methods in regard to road works will be made shortly. The subject was brought up for discussion by Cr Robertson, who urged that the council should take steps to secure a grader for use on the county roads. In reply to a question, the Inspector stated that a grader could be usefully employed in clearing metal from the sides of the roads, putting a crown on them, and cleaning out the water tables. Cr Malcolm asked if anything had been done in regard to the Beach road. Nothing had been done so far, and there appeared to be no move in the direction of putting the road in proper order. If wet weather were experienced, the road would be as bad as ever it was.

Cr Morrison asked if the inspector had any suggestions to make for putting the road in order.

Mr Paterson recommended that the road be crowned with good-class rotten rock, with good-quality gravel on_ top. - Some kind of grader would be required for that, and a truck would also be required. Cr Morrison asked if the inspector could give an estimate of the cost. Mr Paterson said he thought that £9OOO or £IO,OOO would be required. Cr Lewis: Would that be permanent?

Mr Paterson said that a certain amount of metal would be required for maintenance, but the maintenance cost would not be nearly as heavy as it was at present. Cr Morrison said he was convinced that rotten rock was the best material for their roads.

Cr Malcolm pointed out that the owners of motor vehicles were paying heavy taxation, and he contended that they were entitled to good roads. Cr Robertson moved that steps be taken to procure a grader. The motion was seconded by Cr Malcolm, and was supported by Cr Morrison, who said that though the first cost might bo heavy it might turn out cheaper in the long run. It was the duty of the council to make a forward move without delay. He would also urge that a truck be procured.

Cr Robertson suggested that an extra rate could be levied if necessary. He said ha would include in his motion a proposal that a two-ton truck be procured. Mr Paterson said that at present there was 12 months’ work ahead of a grader. It was really essential that something in the nature of what was proposed should be done.

Cr Malcolm said it appeared that the council had lost sight of its real mission. Its principal mission was not to spend the time in dealing with correspondence, but to look after the roads and put them in proper order. The Chairman said he thought a great many ratepayers were more concerned about the amount of their rates than they were about good roads. Cr Irvine said he thought that Or Robertson should have given notice of motion. This was a matter upon which he would not like to come to a decision without fully considering it. Cr Stewart said he would like to know where the money was coming from. In reply to a question, the Inspector said the cost of a truck would b about £6OO. The motion was carried. A committee, consisting of the chairman, Cr Morrison, Cr Malcolm, and the inspector was set up to go into the question of finance. HARWOODS ROAD. Mr Oliver North and nine other ratepayers wrote stating that they irotested against having to pay any subsidy towards repairing the road known as Harwood’s road. The letter stated that they were all old ratepayers, and that they considered that they had not had due recompense for the rates paid. For years the road had been in a neglected state, and they considered that the council should provide the money for repairs which were urgently needed. In connection with this matter a deputation consisting of Mr North, Mrs North, and Miss Harwood waited on the council. Cr Lewis said he would like to assist the ratepayers interested in this road. They were old ratepayers, but he wished to point out that the funds of thi riding were very limited, and that had to consider the rest of the ratepaye-s. Mr North stressed the urgency of the need for repairs. Ho went on to refer to the sand drift, and said ho was sure the Harbour Board would assisteffecting repairs if it were asked to do so. He stated that very little had been done to the road since it was formed, and the ratepayers concerned did not consider that they should be asked to put their hands in their pockets for the purpose of effecting repairs.

Cr Lewis said there was no argument about the state of the roads, hut it was a question of funds. There had been a little money spent on the road. Cr Robertson said he thought the council should spend what it could on the road. These people were amongst the oldest settlers in the country.

In reply to a suggestion that other ratepayers could get roads, the Chairman stated that he could point to dozens of settlers who had no roads. The matter •was entirely one of finance, at present the council was not in a position to say what money was available for expenditure in the Portobello Riding. He thought he could say that if the council had the money the request for a better road would receive consideration, and he thought the chances wore that the matter would bo dealt with before long. The council had not been long in existence, and its accounts were not yet -lly made up. He asked the ratepayers to exercise a little patience, and he thought they could rest assured that the council would do the best it could. The council would approach the Harbour Board, and ascertain if it were prepared to assist. Miss Harwood stated that met.-Jling and a stone wall on the aarbour front were required very much. At ; resent a motor car could not use the road. There were 12 houses there, and sine 3 + he Portobello Road Board had come into existence the owners had paid rates. Only that morning her people had to assist a motor car out of difficulties. She thought they were entitled to some consideration. Twelve years had elapsed since the road was formed, and only three inches of clay had been put on ‘•he surface. In some places there was nothing but sand, anti motor ?aro could not get along it. Cr Morrison said the council could not say at present how much money could be spent on the road, and he asked if the ratepayers interested were prepared to find any money. He mentioned that ho had been asked to attend a meeting recently, but he had sent a message stating that he was unable to be present. Mrs North: Our member was not

present either. If you two had attended the matter would have been fixed up. Cr Morrison said the positk” was that the council did not have the money. The only money available for the road was what came out of the riding rates. In reply to a question by Cr obertson, Mrs North said they would be prepared to contribute if the same procedure were adopted in connection with other roads.

Cr Robertson said he thought the owners concerned would be wise if they contributed, say, £25. Mrs North said that some of them were not in a position to contribute. Mr Robertson: Every member of the council wants you to get a road, provided that the finances will permit su ;h a thing to be done.

Mrs North said they had s. on one-man roads, and she wanted to know why 12 people could not get one. “If the road is put in order.” she added, “ we shell be prepared to pay more rates.” After the deputation had retired Cr Malcolm said that if Cr Lewis was prepared to spend some of the ridin-r funds or. the roads be would support him. He was opposed to putting things off which was becoming a habit with the nincil. Cr Lewis moved that the council find £SO and use £SO of the Government grant for the road, and, further, that it communicate with the Harbour Board and ask if it is prepared to give some financial assistance in regard to the sea wall. The motion was seconded by Cr Malcolm.

Cr Irvine said he was quite in sympathy with the motion, provided bat the money required could be found in the Portobello Riding, tut he shuddered to think what would happen if the Broad Bay Riding were called upon to find money for a road in Lower Portohcllo. The motion was carried.