COUNTY CANNOT AFFORD ACCESS TO FARM OF UP-RIVER SETTLER

Wanganui Chronicle, 9 November 1949, Page 4

COUNTY CANNOT AFFORD ACCESS TO FARM OF UP-RIVER SETTLER

An inquiry from the Ministry of Works if the council would accept responsibility for the maintenance of 4i miles of road from Raorikia to Te Rimu was received at the October meeting of the Waitotara County Council, and as the result of an inspection by a special committee the council decided yesterday that it could not contribute toward the maintenance of the road. The Ministry of Works asked three questions. They were: (1) What amount would the council contribute toward the cost of the load? (2) Would the county maintain the road if it were constructed? (3) Would the council pay the cost of legalising the road? The council’s reply will be forwarded to the Ministry of Works in Wanganui. The chairman of the special committee which carried out a survey of the route (Cr. A. A. Winwood) said that the council should not entertain the question of constructing a road which would cost a lot cf money and would serve only one property. He thought that something should be done to help Mr and Mrs A. H. Featherstone and considered that a bridge across the Wanganui River would serve the purpose noth lor Mr Featherstone and Mr* McNab. This he considered would be a cheaper proposition. The opinion that the council could not afford to take over the raid was expressed by Cr. G. W. Crafar, another member of the committee. He said he had every sympathy with Mr and Mrs Featherstone. He understood that even if the road were provided it would be necessary for Mr Featherstone to maintain a cage across the Wanganui River. With a day’s work on the present track, he considered, it could be used for the moving of stock but not. fat stock. The track could not be used to get wool out and this would have to be taken out by other means. Another member of the committee, Cr. W. K. Ross, considered that the cost of the road was too great for the small amount which the council received in rates. He considered a bridge across the Wanganui River would be a very expensive proposition. The council decided to advise the Ministry of Works that even if the road were constructed the maintenance would be too expensive an item for the council.