WAIMEA COUNTY.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13737, 27 March 1915, Page 4

WAIMEA COUNTY.

On arrival at Nelson the Minister attended at the County Council Chambers, where he received a deputation consisting of the County Chairman (Mr. If. Everett), Cr. I\ Rest, and Mr^ G. S. Whiteside (County Engineer). Mr. R. P. Hudson. M.P. for Motweka,., was present, and introduced the deputation. The Chairman referred to the cessation of the valuation of the county wheu the war broke out, and said thati the values of certain properties had been increased while others had noi3 yet been valued, and remained at the old valuation. The property owners whose properties had been re-valued were being rated on the enhanced value, and it was urged that the valuation should be completed, so that the rating might be uniform. Mr Fraser promised to refer the mat* ter to the Prime Minister. ■ Cr. Everett, referring to the alternative - routes of the proposed MapuaMotueka roadj said that the Council' did not lend itself to the conflicting interests, and trusted that the Minister would select the best route, a3 thflf Council would have to maintain tht» road when it was formed.

The Minister said that, in regard to the main road, he was not going to make any statement as to what the Government was prepared to do. Ho recognised that it came under a different category to branch roads, and he would certainly take that into consideration. As to the question which was to be the main road to Motueka from Nelson, he was not speaking authoritatively, but lie must say that the facts as presented pointed strongly to the lower route as being the better road. He believed it would be the better road and easier maintained. The question would have to come up when the Estimates were being pass* ed, and he would then take the whole of the circumstances into consideration. He wonld then intimate to the Council his decision. Cr. Everett urged the completion of the formation of the Moutere Inlet road, in order to make it usable. The Minister promised to complete the road sufficiently to enable the Council to take metal over it. It would 5 be on the £ for £ basis, and the amount depended upon the money he would have available. Several other matters were discussed, and the Minister was thanked for receiving the deputation. Cr. Everett objected to tlie £500 which appeared on the Estimates for the Bronte-Mapuß road beinc expe>ided im formatien. He- argued thai, persons interested should form the load and thatJ the amount should he expended ore gravelling the road when it was formed.)