MOUNT EGMONT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 299, 16 December 1914, Page 7

MOUNT EGMONT.

TAKING THE ROAD TO THE MOUNTAIN. "UNAUTHORISED EXPENDITURE." There was some interesting debating matter at Monday night's meeting of the Borough Council when a deputation consisting of Messrs E. Jackson and W. J. Lopdell (County Engineer), waited upon the Council in regard to a grant tor the road to tho Mountain.

Mr Jackson said the deputation had come upon a very important matter—at least he considered it was. He explained that the Government had made a grant of £250 for the Pembroke Road, which led to the Mountain House, but it would take £SOO to form and metal the road up to the radius line, being a distance of one mile. The Stratford County Council had agreed to pay one-third of the cost, viz., £B3 6s Bd, and if the Borough Council Council would grant another third, the residents would hud the other third. Mr Jackson said he felt that this was the opportunity of getting the work done, and probably they would never have the same chance again. It was cheaper, they knew, to do work on a large scale than small scale: He was quite conversant with the financial difficulties of the Council, but the work was of such importance that the Council should assist them to get the one-third. Residents would give handsomely, he was sure; he would personally canvass and would head the list with £5. He felt the Council would be responsible if the movement fell through. The Mountain House was only nine miles away, as against seventeen miles to Dawson Falls, and was much better situated. If the road was, metalled the house could be reached in half an hour. It was a splendid health resort, and would be so for all time. What little money they had had in the past had been well spent. Stone for metal could be obtained from the Patea river. Cr. Masters said it would be well to tell the deputation that the Council had nb power to spend tho money. His Worship said the position was that unfortunately the road was under the jurisdiction of the County Council, and the Borough had no power to grant any money except under the power conferred upon it by "unauthorised expenditure." Personally, he was strongly in favor of doing whatever possible. In reply to Cr. Morison, Mr Lopdell said the money would not be required until March next or even later.

Cr ; . King: I make no bones about it; I will vote against it for the reason that we want the money for the town. Several works required the money more than the road to the mountain, The Council had from time to time voted money, but under the conditions I consider it would be absolutely wasting the ratepayers' money. His Worship said he did not know of any local body which was in lower financial circumstances than the Stratford County Council— Cr. King: It is their road! His Worship replied that the County Council had no ratepayers beyond there. The Mountain was the only resort round about Stratford.

Cr. Morison said the work would be in the interests of the ratepayers. Perhaps the Council could vote £SO this year and the balance next year. It would be a very short-sighted policy on the part of the Council not to'agree when the whole matter could be done for £B3 6s Bd. Certainly, it was his "pet hobby," but he took a pride in it. The Park Board spent portion of their grant of £4O to £SO per year upon the maintenance of this road. And in view of the fact, that Mr Jackson would undertake the collection of the money they would be doing the right thing, and the ratepayers would uphold the Council's action.

The ■ deputation then thanked" the Council for the way they had been received and then withdrew. Cr. Morison moved that the Council agree to subscribe the amount asked for. .

His Worship pointed out that the motion was not in order, as the Council could spend at the most only £SO per year in such a direction.

Or. Richards said the Mountain was the best asset the town had— (hea-, hear)—and he did think the Councl it it had the power (which he doub.ed) should make a contribution in this matter. As M' Jackson said, tnis wits fieit opportunity. If they could fetid the money they would have goc cvei the worst portion of the road giving access to the Mountain, the other portion being in fairly good order. Hie only way was to get the money from the public. The Council might make the grant, but they must keep within the amount authorised, by statute under the heading of "unauthorised expenditure." Already some money out of that had been spent and some more would no doubt be required, all having to be done out of £SO. But they should not turn the proposal down. Possibly they should hold it over for consideration until next meeting; in the meantime, there might be found some "hole through the wall." He moved in that direction.

Cr. Fredric seconded the motion, while agreeing to a certain extent with Cr. King, though he would like to see the movement carried out.

Cr. King said that personally he would be willing to subscribe, but the Council could not do so. Yet if the Council could do so he would vote against it, as they would be spending the ratepayers' money. Whether it would do any good in the town /ivas another matter. The County Council must think the Mountain very advantageous to them if they were going to grant this sum of money. Cr. Masters said he would oppose the motion in its present form at the

next <?enerql meeting for the reason

that it would hare been a fair thing if

the County Council had offered to find halt' the amount instead of onethird. They were more interested than the Borough Council. With regard to the Mountain being such an asset, he said he might be a bit dense, but he didn't' see that it was. "I want to know who benefits by it—or if there is any financial benefit. Do any tourists go up there?" His Worship said something like "Stalking!" and. Cr. King plainly ejaculated- "The Hotelkeepers.' Cr. Masters: "Yes; that's all." He questioned if it was any asset to the town.

Cr. Morisou mentioned Victoria Park.

Cr. Masters: "Nothing of-the sort. They ai'e not on all lours." Continuing, he said that at any rate the Mpuntain benefitted the County as well as the town, and the least the County could have done was to offer at least half. The position was that the town guaranteed two thirds.

Cl\ Richards said his idea was that the matter should be held over until

some better scheme was found. He was astonished to hear Cr. Masters say the Mountain was not an asset. There was even the financial point of view of the people going up there to be considered, especially when the railway was through. They had the l'angarakau Gorge and the "\Vhangamomona Saddle, the latter of which he took the opportunity of reminding the Council they had been successful in having declared a scenic resort. Cr. Masfcers: "You are talking about ten years' time." Cr. Richards said it was in the interests of the people living in ten years' time they were now working. As to the sordid side of the question (it just occurred to him) ,the people who came to Stratford and visited tinMountain required boots, biscuits, bread, butter, pickled meats, etc., so that it was a financial benefit to the bown. He did not want to labor the point, but he could not help remarking that man did not live by bread alone. Everyone came back from the Mountain a bit better than when he went there. . j ~ Cr. Kirjg: And swears he will never go again.—(Laughter). The motion to hold the question over till next meeting was then put to the, meeting and carried.