STREET IMPROVEMENTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19130, 26 September 1936, Page 16

STREET IMPROVEMENTS

WORK IN WAIROA FIRST STREET TAR SEALING OBJECTION TO RATI-: (H«rald Corrospondent.) ' About last April the Wairoa Borough Council laid it down as a. settled policy that when improvements were being put in hand to streets and footpaths which were likely to enhance the value of the adjoining or abutting, properties, the property holders should be asked to pay half the cost, to be imposed in the form of a rate over' a period of years. The shifting of the Wairoa traffic bridge from Carroll street lo First street made it necessary lo ask the Government to declare the last-named street a main highway, and this was agreed to, the council agreeing to kerb, channel and tar seal the road and footpaths. Formal notice was given to the ratepayers affected, and at this week's meeting of the Borough Council a, deputation of nearly all the owners affected, led by Mr. G. -de. V. Robinson, waited on the council to ask that this charge be not imposed. Mr. Robinson, after detailing the area involved, stated that the amount the people would be asked to pay would be £231. The ratepayers in First street had been very heavily rated in past years by from two to four times the rates imposed on other parts of the borough. Practically nothing had been spent on First street until the earthquake, and since then a little had been done on the roadway, but not on the footpath. He submitted that rates collected from First street, had been spent' in other parts of the borough, although he admitted that the heavy rate was not the fault of the council but the valuer. It was not fair just because the street had been made a main highway that the residents should be asked to pay half the cost. They had not asked for the footpaths, and would sooner do without them than pay half the cost. COUNCIL'S ATTITUDE. The Mayor, Mr. 11. L. Darker, congratulated Mr. Robinson on the very fair way the case had been put, and said the council would go into the question. When this was being done the Mayor said the whole matter had been before the council some time ago and it had been decided that in future, residents would be asked to bear part of the cost. This was not to be in isolated cases, but a general thing. He moved, and Cr. M. J. Gemmcll, seconded : That the deputation be advised that the council is in sympathy with it, but that it is the declared policy of the council that the attitude, has been adopted that where improvements are made, the property owners shall contribute 50 per sent of the cost. The council regrets that it is unable to accede to the request, but will meet the individual cases of hardship, and discuss terms of payment."

Cr. Galbraith gave notice to move that the council's policy be rescinded, but later withdrew it'as there seemed no hope of success, and the motion was carried, Cr. Galbraith being the only dissentient.

A further motion was carried reaffirming the council's policy, Cr. Gal braith dissenting.