NEWCASTLE ROAD BOARD

Waikato Times, Volume 90, Issue 14051, 2 May 1919, Page 2

NEWCASTLE ROAD BOARD

FOnTHCOMING ELECTION. ADDRESSES BY CANDIDATES. A meeting of ratepayers was hold, at Horotiu Hall on Tuesday night at the request of Messrs Gallagher, MeOlymont, and candidates lor the forthcoming election, to discuss Newcastle lloact Hoard matters. Mr A. H. Crawford was voted to the chair, and briefly outlined the purpose of the meeting. Mr Gallagher, who is member for Horotiu, was called upon to give a statement of the- Hoard's work for tho last year. Mr Gallagher revealed > some startling facts when he disclosed i the financial state of the Hoard, which : had overdrawn to the extent of £750, r.nd had present liabilities amounting to £.3oo—a total of £1250, witli which to welcome the new Road Hoard. As the rate amounted to only £I4OO. it left only £l5O to start the new year's work, making it absolutely imposi;">!e to carry on work without a huge borrowing scheme. The speaker thoi ;.:ht this would be a wise policy, as the time had come for laying down reads of hard metal, which would be far more durable r.nd infinitely more economical than the sanding now in vogue. Hv applying for a loan of £20,000 (and»he had good reason to believe the Government would subsidise this bv at least 10s in the £, which would total £30.000), the whole district could he metalled and the byroads kept in good repair. All would thus be treated alike, instead of the present selfish plan of every member repairing the road up to his own back door and letting the others sing for their needs. . Mr McClymont spoke strongly in favour of raising a big loan, and so save the wanton waste of sanding and re-sanding every year, which only blew away in summer, and made mud in the .winter. He had come from a district of good roads, and felt the need of them here. He heartily endorsed all that the former speaker had said, and would do his utmost to further the loan proposals if returned. Mi- Fullerton gave a detailed account of how the Board should be managed, and stated that at present no one—not even the members —knew how the money was being- spent \intil the bal-ance-sheet came out at the erjd of the year, and, in his opinion, all the Board's business should be published up to the last penny at the close of everv meeting. The speaker believed in tno contract system, which, if let in big contracts, would draw keen competition, and result in less ex. pense. He also advocated concrete instead of timber in all bridge and culvert work, and believed in having a good, competent engineer to lay out all works. He promised that, if returned, he would not spare himself, but do his best in the interests of the whole district. He was entirely in harmony with the two former speakers. I The chairman then called for questions, which were- satisfactorily answered. Mr Fisher moved a hearty vote of thanks and confidence in the three candidates, which_ was seconded by Mr Jackson, and carried unanimously. The chairman brought to notice that the so-colled metal which the Board is using at a cost of 15s per yard, is far too dear, as it is half dirt and sand which could bo procured by the roadside for next to nothing. He stronglv urged all ratepayers to support the three candidates, who are out for a good, sound, progressive policy. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting.