FOOTING ROAD BILL

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 615, 18 March 1929, Page 1

FOOTING ROAD BILL

otahuhu seeks help of GOVERNMENT THROUGH TRAFFIC BENEFITS Having provided a concrete road i* , mile and three-quarters mainly to cater for the very heavy through traffic, Otahuhu Borough Council is making a very strenuous effort to get the Government to take over some of the responsibility.

Otahuhu was one of the few local bodies outside the city that undertook a concrete paving scheme before the Highways Board started subsidising this class of work, and while the local bodies that waited longer got a subsidy of nearly £1 for £l, and other local bodies have been offered as much as £3 to £l. Otahuhu has footed its own bill, and Its rates have increased from 4Jd to IOJd, though all this is not attributable to the concrete in the main street, nearly as much concrete again being laid in other portions of the borough.

The council waited on the Highways Board in Auckland in February, pointing out its position, and though the hoard promised to go into the position, the acting-chairman pointed out that if there was a decision to give a retrospective payment to Otahuhu. there was the danger of dozens of other local bodies requiring the same thing, starting with £250,000 in Taranaki.

This morning the council waited on the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. h. A. Ransom, who commenced a comprehensive tour Of the Hauraki electorate to-day. The deputation was introduced by Mr. A. W. Hall, M.P., and the principal speaker was Mr. r’ D. (Jobb, Mayor of Otahuhu. Mr. Cobb gave the facts already stated to the Minister, and pointed out that the borough requirements themselves did not warrant such an extensive programme of concrete. The through traffic, however, was so heavy that concrete, or a similar permanent surface, was an essential, and the borough had been forced to embark upon the necessary programme of works.

The Minister was asked to go into the question personally as it required the most careful consideration. The borough did not want the question turned over to the Highways Board, as Mr. Furkert, as chairman and a member wielding a great deal of power had already made up his mind on the question.

The Minister replied that the Highways Board tvas outside political control, but there was nothing to prevent a Minister making a recommendation to it. Mr. Ransom said he did not know of a more deserving case than that put forward by Otahuhu. It was unfortunate that the legislation did not at present allow of the required subsidy being made, but he was quite prepared to support a requisition, and he thought that the case was one deserving of special legislation.