POUTUTU STOCK TRACK.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9642, 17 January 1903, Page 2

POUTUTU STOCK TRACK.

COMPLETION OF ROAD TO MOTU DECIDED ON. ! GOVERNMENT GRANT TO BE ASKED FOR, , After the deputation of Mot/v settlers had withdrawn yesterday afternoon, the Cook County Council discussed the question of the Poututu stock track. The Chairman said his opinion was that they ought to help the settlers if they could do it m justice to the other ratepayers, especially when they were using the paring knife m other directions. If the settlers met any expense over and above a certain sum the Council should undertake the work. Other Councillors coincided. Cr Richardson said the former Council had spent £100 tio make the track, which was a six-foot one. Cr Clayton said Mr Foster might be induced to lot the settlers go through his property if the Council did not take his land. Cr Matthews pointed out that the road also went through Mr Hutchinson's, who might some day act similarly to Mr Foster. He thought that the Council sliould make a road right through and end the matter. Cr Murphy held that the best way was to make the track from road to road. The track connected two surveyed roads. Cr Richardson thought the settlers would be agreeable to purchasing the hiiitd, and taking the road through, and would be willing to raise a Special loan for the purpose. The Engineer said that if a road were '■ constructed it would not necessarily follow the stock track. There would only 1 be a couple of bluffs to deal with. Cr Richardson moved, and Or MabtJhews seconded : "That the Council raise a special loan on a special rating district for L the purpose of acquiring the land re- . quired for a rpad, two miles long, from : Poututu to the Willow .crossing." — Cairi ried. The Chairman said the county miwht ; contribute to the cost of the road later, i which would be limited to what. theflh| Council thought they were justified ih/^HP passing. ' Cr Richardson urged that the Council : should contribute, as the Motu did not \ get their fair proportion of the rates. ' At this stage Mr Peddle, one of the de- [ putation, who, with Mr Wright and other ' speakers, had been vigorous m urging ; the Council to keep the stock track open. ; again waited on the Council. He stated that Cr Richardson had told him of the ' intention of the Council to. raise a special loan. He regretted the other members • of the deputation' were not present, but ■ thought the settlers would be agreeable i if there was no other way. Still, Mr i Foster might claim compensation for the i work already dome m making the stock ! track. The Chairman : We liave not taken, any s steps to divest ourselves, and we will let : Mr Foster know that at present the land is vested m the Council. Mr Peddle: Then why does Mr Foster r stop the settlers from using the road. . In reply to the Chairman, the Engineer stated the settlers could not get on ' to the road unless they cut the fence. : The Chairman pointed out that lilie \ objection to acquiring Mr Foster's land k only was that another owner might stop - . them from going through his land. ' t Mr Peddle said that had the question . been put before the settlers m the first ( place they would. have agreed to a special district, buj. the Council undertook to make the track. 1 The Chairman remarked that the itnr terest on the loan spread over the proper- ' ties m the special district would not be I felt. 1 Cr Richardson: The Government are • opening up mew land. They might con- • tribute. - , : Cr Matthews: Put these lands m the 1 special district. : Mr Peddle said that Mr Carroll had stated there were £500 for roads m the i Motu district on the Estimates, out of . t which £100 was to be devoted to the . stock track. The Chairman : The Government might ' give a grant. ', Cr Clayton: And especially as they are [ opening new land. . i It was finally decided to write to the I Government askine; for a grant to eomi plete the two miles of the road to tihe . Motu, which was the only means of get- , ting stock away, an,d pointing out tlnat it connected with the Government ln.nd . m the Motu, now being surveyed prior to being thrown on the market. : The Council resolved that m the meantime Mr Foster be written to, informing | him of the position, and asking him to ' permit settlers to pass tflurough; ateo ' pointing out that the road was actually taken. Cr Richardson withdrew his notice of ' motion to rescind the resolution offering Mr Foster Is damages and promising to re-vest the_ land m its former owners.