HALF AND HALF.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 15, 18 September 1913, Page 5

HALF AND HALF.

A STANLEY ROAD GROWL.

NEW BRIDGE WANTED.

Messrs G. A. Marchaut, F. Mackay, and S. Pitt waited on the County Council yesterday and asked for help in renewing the bridge un Stanley Road over the Ahuroa Stream.

Mr Marchaut said they had been informed that the bridge was reasonably safe for a year or so. However, the bridge would have to be renewed before long. Their suggestion was that the work should be authorised at once, so that the timber could be carted to tho site during the dry months of the present season. On the question of finance they desired the Council to recognise that the area was one of the most heavily rated in the County. The land affected was only grazing land, but some of it paid two to three shillings in rates, • though some dairy land of three times the value was not so heavily rated. The revenue from the Makara Road East was £127 per annum. Of this sum £SO was taken for the upkeep of the North Riding main road. They did not use the main road but recognised that they should pay something to wards it. Of the balance of £77 the Council had been in the habit of taking half for the upkeep of Stanley Road. This was very generous on the part of the Makara Road East settiers. A total of 4500 acres was affected by the bridge. Mr Marchaut said he had quoted the facts u e had to indicate to the Council that the settlers were entitled to special treatment.

Mr Mackay said he did not think the settlers would be asking too much if they asked for £2 for £1 from tin Council.

Mr Pitt said he paid £GO in rates and in five years not £2 had been spent on the road near his land. The Engineer said the road would take ordinary reasonable traffic for a year or eighteen months, but at any time an extra heavy load might go through it. He thought a new bridge could lie put in for £4OO. The Chairman expressed the opinion that the Council should meet the settlers half way, but the Te Popo bridge on Mountain Road would have to be renewed, and the renewal of two bridges in one financial year seemed too much.

The deputation withdrew, and after some discussion it was decided to offer the following terms: —Tranfer £IOO from the Makara Road East fund. £IOO from the Special Fund, the bal a,nee of £2OO to be raised by a special rate over the sections benefited. The members of the deputation were far from satisfied With these terms. Mr Marchant: That is hard. It is not pound for pound.

Mr Pitt said: We will find £3 and you will find £l. Mr Mackay: Is that the way you usually dispose of such business. Cr. Walter asked Mr Mackay what his rates were? Mr Mackay said Is 2d per acre, but 680 acres had no road at all. Cr. Walter said he did not consider the land heavily rated; and he and Mr Mackay had a long argument on the question. Mr Mackay said it was unfair to ask him to contribute to the, upkeep of other people’s roads and when hr wanted work done for himself to practically tell him to do it himself. Mr Marchant: I think that at leas? the Council should give us pound for pound.

The Chairman; We are giving you half the money.

Mr Mackay: Oh no. You are taking £IOO from otir road fund and we want money spent on the road. I run a risk of breaking my neck every time I go over the Makara Road.

Mr Pitt (reaching for his hat): 1 won’t worry any more about it. I can got out by Tariki. Concluding the argument Mr Marchant said the settlers thought the most they could be asked for was £IOO from the road fund and £IOO from a special rate, the Council to find £2OO. He urged the Council to reconsider the matter and to endeavor to accept the settlers’ terms.