THE NORTHERN APPROACH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8998, 7 December 1907, Page 5

THE NORTHERN APPROACH.

THE QUESTION REVIVED. A meeting of the joint committees of the Masterton Borough Council and Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday afternoon to consider the northern approach question. There were present:—Crs J. C. Ewington and F. W. Temple, ar.ri Messrs J. G. Mason and D. Donald. Mr Mason was voted to the chair, Cr Ewington said the question was a long-standing one, and it seemed to him that something should be done without further delay.'

Mr Donald thought that previously they had been too ambitious with regard to a scheme for improvement. It seemed to him that a great improvement could be effected for £SOO, because the road and footpaths were in a good state. He suggested that the work could be done by loan, for which a special rate could be raised over portions of Lansdowne and Opaki, as residents from those parts used the approach most. Cr Temple said it appeared to him that nothing could be done at that meeting, as it would be necessary to confer with the County Council,which had controlled'the approach. He suggested that a conference should be held between representatives of the Borough and County Councils and Chamber of Commerce, so that the subject could be discussed amicably. He believed that the County Council as a body would be glad to have their hands forced in the matter. He thought they were more favourable now to the matter than they were previously. Cr Ewington suggested that the Government should be approached and asked to appoint a commission to adjust the amount to be paid by each of the Masterton local bodies towards improving the approach. About twelve months ago the Borough Council had nearly succeeded in having a commission set up, but the matterhad been allowed to drop at the crucial moment.

After further discussion, it was decided, on the motion of Cr Temple, to ask the County Council to appoint a committee to confer with the present committee on the matter.