BETTER ROADS.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 February 1923, Page 7

BETTER ROADS.

INGLEWOOD COUNTY SCHEME. A LOAN OF £25,000. DETAILS OF PROPOSALS. Matters in connection with the proposal to raise a loan of £25,000 for road improvements and other works in connection with the Inglewood County were advanced another stage at the council meeting on Monday, when’ the proposals were brought before the council in the form to be submitted to ratepayers. They were adopted by the council. The chairman (Mr. A. Corkin) stated that in submitting the advertisements for the loan to the council's solicitor they advised that It would be better to definitely state the particular roads to be done to avoid any trouble In the future. It would not alter the pro posal at all and the poll would be taken on March 7 as previously arranged. lie therefore moved that the resolution passed on December 5, relating to loan proposals totalling £25,000 be rescinded.—Carried. Tha chairman then moved that the necessary steps be taken to raise a special loan totalling £25,000 for the purpose of carrying out the following works: (a) The improvement of the main roads of the county and in particular the Junction Road from Waiwakaiho bridge io Inglewood borough, Mountain Road from Waipuku river to Waiongona. river, Junction Road from Inglewood borough to Kaimata and equally between the Junction Road east of Kaimata and the Lepper Road, south of Junction Road, £19,300; (b) the erection of two concrete bridges on the Junction Road, over the Ngatoro and Maketawa streams, £3100; (c) new county offices in concrete and wood, £1200; (d) the first year's instalment of interest and sinking fund in the three proposals, £1400: total, £25,000. This was seconded by Cr. Stuart.

Cr. Capper moved as an amendment that the interest on the offices loan be paid from the general account.—Carried.

Cr. Hunter considered that the loan proposals should be held until such time as the highway board was formed. From a letter received from the Minister of Public Works there appeared little hope of local bodies being compensated by the Main Highways Board for money expended on the roads prior to the board coming into operation. He thought the ratepayers would be certain to turn the proposal down, and there would be a block vote of the back country against the loan. He moved as an amendment that the proposals be held over until such times as the Main Highways Board Is formed. Cr. Stuart pointed out that the only road affected by the Highways Bill would be the Mountain Road and they could start on the Junction, Lepper and other roads.

The chairman said that it was proposed to hold meetings to explain the proposals.

Cr. Grieve seconded the amendment. He wished the area to be reduced so as to exclude the east riding. The loan proposals were not going to benefit them. When they joined the Inglewood Countv they thought they would get some assistance in regard to improving the road, so as to avoid the zig-zag, but it looked as if his riding would have to raise a loan for the purpose. H’s riding would give a block vote aginst the proposal. The chairman said that the rate that the lean would inquire would amount to nt most %d in the £, whereas the portions of the roads proposed to be laid down were now costing equal to a 2d rate for maintenance. The carrying of the loan would therefore give I%<l, which could be used to improve the byroads," or to reduce the rates. The council would nt least have done its duty. Regarding the east riding recording a block vote against the loan, he pointed out that at present the cast riding's contribution towards the maintenance of the main roads was about £350, and if under the loan proposals they only saved £lOO it would mean that amount could go as Interest towards a loan for improving the zig-zag, without any expense to the Tarata ratepayers. The amendment was lost.

Cr. Grieve then moved as a further amendment that the east riding, as far as the Tarata zig-zag, be excluded from the loan area.

The chairman explained to Cr. Grieve that the riding was contributing now to the Main Road. By the loan a saving of over £lOO would be effected and the riding members would be justified in asking next year that their general rate should he reduced. The new valuation, which would, be in order for rating purposes next year, would probably rhow an increase and enable an increased rate to be struck. He pointed out further that Tarata riding was now benefiting to the extent of over £5O, through the whole County paying the interest on the Clifton County adjustment loan Instead of making that a charge against the east riding, as might have been done. Moreover, if the bridge loan were not carried the council would have to strike a separate bridge rate, as the bridges must be renewed.

This amendment was not seconded and the motion was carried, Crs. Grieve and Hunter voting against it. On the motion of Crs. Capper and Stuart the chairman was ..authorised to hold meetings at various centres and explain the proposals to the ratepayers. It was decided that the poll be taken on March 7.