TERMS UNACCEPTABLE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 110, 11 May 1936, Page 9

TERMS UNACCEPTABLE

RIVER ROAD REPAIRS Government Proposals Rejected WANGANUI COUNTY’S STAND Two-fold proposals in connection with., the Wanganui River Road were submitted to the Wanganui County Council at its monthly meeting yesterday by Mr. Ormond Wilson, M.P. for Rangitikei, who outlined the Government’s attitude toward the road. Mr. Wilson said the Government was willing to offer a subsidy of £3 to £1 for the repairing of flood damage on this road, or else have it declared a main highway, conditionally that the Wanganui County Council was prepared to evoke a portion of the Mangamahu Road, now a main highway. This would be the proposed basis of negotiation if the River Road were to be taken over as a main highway. After Mr. Wilson had stated ths Government’s proposals, the council considered the matter and was unanimously of the opinion that the terms were unacceptable- The principal objection was the fact that this road had been constructed by the Government and had been forced on the Wanganui County. It was contended that 75 per cent of the traffic using the highway was of an outside nature, and that the road had been badly constructed in the first place. Mr. Wilson is to make further representations to the Government on behalf of the county and failing satisfactory arrangements being made a deputation is to wait on the Minister of Public Works (Hon. R. Semple). ‘‘Lowest Rates in Dominion.” Outlining the Government’s proposals, Mr. Wilson said that owing to pressure of business the Minister of Public Works had found it impossible to come to Wanganui as previously arranged. One aspect which the department had been reiterating to the Minister for sonic time was that the rates levied by the Wanganui County Council were among the lowest of any county in New Zealand. The average throughout the Dominion was about double the Wanganui County’s rate. It was contended in departmental circles that these rates were lower than need be, hence the opinion that the county should contribute more toward the cost of the River Road. The £3 to £1 subsidy was the highest paid anywhere in New Zealand, Mr. Wilson said. The Rangitikei County, for instance, had been given only £1 to £l. The view which the Treasury took up was that the counties should be paid according to their financial position. The Minister, however, did not agree with this method. At the pre- i sent time the Wanganui County had the maximum subsidy, 34 per cent, of its metalled roads being main highways. The Waitotara County had about 24 per cent, main highways and the average for .the remaining counties in New Zealand was 23 per cent. If the River Road became a main highway it would substantially increase the number of main highways in the Wanganui County, and would thus create a position which would be unfair to the other counties in the Dominion. It would not help the position unless some other main highway were evoked.

Percentage Q; Outside Traffic The chairman (Mr. Duncan Mackintosh): This matter has come before the Highways Council on several occasions and I don’t agree with their attitude. We have roads running into the interior of the island and wc are carrying such a large percentage of outside traffic. This is much more than the other counties and I don’t see how they are entitled .to the same mileage than we are. The .travelling public will never use the Rangitikei highways, for instance, if they have good roads and good outlets here. The distance is so much shorter. We must realise that the River Road is going to be a great tourist resort. It is a beautiful drive when you come to think of it, and it is going to be used by 75 per cent of the .travelling public. We are alongside a city of 26,000 inhabitants and carrying most of the outside public. Every year so much more is being added to main highwaysWhen the oportunity came to have some of our roads declared main highways we realised the position and acted accordingly. Other counties did not. is it fair that we should be cut out because we have got so much in today? Wanganui County Not Consulted Mr. Mackintosh held .that because of the heavy cost of running .the river steamers, the River Road was constructed by the Government of .that period. The Wanganui County was not consulted and the road was badly made. Some of it even was in an extremely rough state to-day and the county was being asked to bear the cost of keeping it open. ‘‘The Government opened the road for its own convenience and then put it on us,” he continued. Referring to the rates levied, Mr. Mackintosh said that the Wanganui County was among the heaviest rated local bodies in this district. The rates would have to be increased this year if the county was going to carry on. All roads had to be maintained. He did not feel inclined toward taking the Mangamahu Road again. It opened into the centre of the island and he saw no reason why the ratepayers should maintain it for the travelling public. “If we have to carry all the .traffic from this coast to the centre of the island, why should we not be assisted?” Mr. Mackintosh added. Mr- Wilson: The department is basing the rating figures on the 1930 valuations. Mr. Mackintosh: AVe were one of the few counties which reduced our rates. We simply had to consider our ratepayers. Faulty Construction Criticised. Mr. J. J. Lissette said he was very disappointed with the Government’s offer. The county was in exactly the same position as it was before. He strongly criticised the faulty construction of the River Road in the first place and declared that for every slip on this highway there were two on the Parapara. Slips were not the cause of the trouble on the River Road. Shoddy work by the Government of the day was the cause of the present state in which the road was in. The Wanganui County was now being asked to pay for its repairs. Some of the culverts

were rotten and had to be pulled out. ‘‘Put in those fillings to-day and .they will go out again. Timber coming down from the hills will block the tunnels and you will have a repetition of the trouble- The Government should have spent money on bridges in the first place. If they had wo would not have been asked to stand so much today,” Mr. Lissette asserted. The speaker added that from the settlers’ point of view the River Road was a necessity. Between 30 and 49,000 lambs were bred in the up-river country each year and last season nearly 5000 bales of wool were produced. He stressed the point that the country must be of some use to the (Dominion and to Wanganui. “This road is not going to be open for some time and I can see the settlers shut in there for another year if this offer from the Government is anything to go by.” Access For Settlers Alone. Mr. J. Marumaru said the question was whether the River Road should be considered as a main highway or as an access for settlers alone. He agreed with Mr. Lissette that the position today was exactly the same as it was before. There was a considerable amount of produce coming down and people who were inclined to think that the up-river country was rubbish were making a mistake. Those settlers who were paying rates should be provided for. Some effort should be made to open up the road, Mr. Lissette added that there was an aspect which he had overlooked to memtion before. The Government should take into consideration the fact that a large portion of this road passed through scenic reserves for which the Wanganui County Council received no rates. He agreed that these reserves should be preserved, but the council should be assisted. Collecting Native Rates. Mr. D. McGregor said that legislation should be passed whereby the county would be able to collect rates from a large number of natives who did not contribute. Mr. Marumaru, who also represents the Aotea Land Board, said that this board acted as trustees for the native people and had been paying rates ever since coming into force. The county clerk (Mr. G. Derbyshire) said that £6OO was available in rates for maintenance of the River Road, but the county was spending £l5OO to £2OOO each year. Mr. Darbyshire added that the road was a liability to the county and not an asset. Mr. Mackintosh: Our chief complaint is against the Public Works Department for putting the road through in such a shoddy sort of way. The work has collapsed and the ratepayers are now being asked to bear the cost of repairs. I think this road must be viewed differently from any other in the Dominion. It is all we can do to maintain it, let alone reconstruct it. I suggest that Mr. Wilson put these views before the Minister and explain the position.