Roading Loan.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 936, 5 December 1933, Page 6

Roading Loan .

Will Spend £22.000.

Three City Streets to be Reconstructed. TEX PER CENT of the new roading loan of £220.000 is to be spent on the reconstruction of Riccarton Avenue, Colombo Street South, and Lower High Street; the City Council, on the motion of Councillor G. T. Thurston, last night decided on this course. Councillor Thurston said that the work was so essential that the council could not avoid doing its duty, much as they might dislike raising further loans. The real question involved was that of policy in regard to the raising of further loans, but in this instance he failed to see how the raising of a loan could be avoided. Riccarton Acenue was a disgrace to the city and was one of the worst sections of road in the South Island. Blot on the City. Councillor T. Milliken, who seconded the motion, said it was a blot on the city that the road had been allowed to continue in a bad state for so long. He believed that it was wrong that essential work should be done by relief labour, and the improvements to Riccarton Avenue should be done as a standard work. He believed that there would be a considerable saving to the city in maintenance charges as a result of the reconstruction of Riccarton Avenue. Councillor J. W. Beanland, chairman of the Works Committee, said that, while generally he was opposed to the raising of further loans, he was in entire agreement with the motion. If there was any money left over the section of Colombo Street between Cathedral Square and Armagh Street should be carried out, and he suggested the addition to the motion of the words “ and any other essential works.” Councillor E. 11. Andrews said the roads specified were essential works and it was an obligation on the council to carry them out. He was rather concerned at the iact that the interest and sinking fund payments on the loan would amount to £2OOO a year, and he hoped the council would make the money go as far as possible. The motion was. carried, Councillor A. E. Armstrong dissenting.