THE NORTHERN APPROACH.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXX, Issue 8451, 16 May 1906, Page 6

THE NORTHERN APPROACH.

—_ - ♦ County Council v. ( Borough Council.

Municipal Inaction Criticised

Position of Matter from Borough Council Standpoint.

A letter was read at the meeting of tho Borough Council, last evening, from the County Clork, intimating that tho resolution carried by the Borough Council, declining to instruct the Borough Engineer to formulate a scheme for tho improvement of the northern approach to Masterton, and furnish an estimate of the cost, was considered at

the last meeting of the County Council. " I

am instructed now to say," proceed the letter, "that your Council's refusal to accede to the suggestion entertained in my memo, of the 17th April, is taken by this Council as an indication that the Borough Council docs not seriously consider there is any urgont necessity for undertaking, at considerable cost, tho improvement in question, and I am to remind you that the proposal to consider tho subject did not emanate from this Council at all, although recognising at some future date the road leading into Masterton from that direction Avould require widening, my Council, some time ago, secured for this purpose an additional half chain in width from Diver's Corner to the Borough boundary, Avhen the sub-division of the Education Reserve afforded an opportunity of arranging with the Wellington School Commisi sioners for this to be done."

The MAYOR remarkod that tho County Clerk's letter conveyed a wrong impression, as the Borough Council's objection was to allowing the Engineer to do work in County territory without assistance. They should correct this point, and he moved accordingly. Cr EWINGTON, in seconding, agreed that the proposals had not emanated from the County Council; the members of which body, he thought, were more likely to rust out than wear out. He understood the Borough Council had, or could, invoke power to compel the County Council to bear their share of responsibility in carrying out the improvement proposals. The School Commissioners had given certain land, and it was the duty of the Borough Council to secure a proper approach for the town. The Mauriceville and Castlepoint Counties could also be brouaht in to stand a share of the

cost. If the County Council refused to take the initiative in the work and they seemed to be throwing every possible obstacle in the way the Borough Council should make them do so.

| Cr TEMPLE thought it should be also i pointed out that the Borough Council was ! perfectly willing at any future time to allow the Borough Engineer to act in conjunction with the County Engineer. The MAYOR agreed, and the motion was carried.