THE RAGLAN ROAD

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15041, 14 September 1922, Page 4

THE RAGLAN ROAD

COST OF N MAINTENANCE. COUNCIL'S LONG DISCUSSION. LOAN PROPOSAL FAVOURED. I The question of the allocation of the annual maintenance cost among the Whaingaroa, Karioi, Karamu, and Matakowhai ridings of the Raglan County Gounoll for the main WhatawhataRaglan Road, came up for lengthy discussion at yesterday's meeting. The allocation of payment was 50 per cent by Whaingaroa, 30 per cent by Karioi, and 20 per cent by Karamu. Matakowhai had just come into the county from the Kawhia County's area. Cr Parker, who tabled a motion that his riding's payment should be reduced to 40 per cent, Karioi to pay 30 per cent, Karamu 20 per cent, and Matakowhai 10 per cent of the annual maintenance figures,, stated that if all rates were collected,' his riding had £324 to expend 'to November of 1923. By a payment of 50 per cent to the main road he would have only £32 left to carry on with to the time stated, a matter of 15 months. The other contributing bodies were in a good position, but he could hardly pay the allocation alone. He pointed out the hardships of the rate which his ratepayers were already paying, and he contended the request he was making was justified. The Council agreed to delete from the minutes all present figures of allocation, and went on to discuss the new proposals. Cr Parker's motion to take the new figures as outlined was seconded by Cr Taylor. Cr Swann, who is the Karioi riding member, moved as an amendment that the figures be: Whaingaroa 50 per cent, Karioi 25, Karamu 15, and Matakowhai 10 per cent. In fact, he would, he said, be prepared to consider Totting Matakowhai - off this year. He argued that Whaingaroa reaped the principal advantage through the road, and was not being overtaxed. Karioi was not getting 30 per cent advantage from the. road, or anywhere like that. The chairman said that it was a pity the engineer's estimate of £I6OO for the road had been reduced to £550, as 'it only meant that the road would go back. Raglan was reaping the benefit, and 50 per cent to Whaingaroa riding was not too muchThe First Decision.

After further discussion, Cr. Swann and the chairman tabled an amendment to the effect that the allocation be: Whaingaroa 50 per cent, Karioi 274, Karamu 17i per cent, and Matakowhai 5 per cent for 12 months'. At the expiry of that time the figures to be: Whaingaroa 50, Karioi 25, Karamu 15, and Matakowhai 10 per cent. Cr Parker did not agree with the right' to prepare the alternative proposal, but this was agreed to by the meeting. The engineer pointed out that £550 for the year was inadequate for the proper maintenance of 23 miles of road. He suggested a loan of £3300 to bring the road to a proper surface, otherwise it would go back. Cr Otway agreed that the loan was desirable.

Cr Parker said that the matter, when the reduction was made, was mentioned that his ratepayers could not find £BOO, which would have been their share of the £I6OO. The chairman said that because they struck a smaller rate, it was no argument why the Whaingaroa ratepayers should escape a reasonable allocation. Some Further Proposals. Cr Parker then moved a further amendment that the allocation be: Whaingaroa 45 per cent, Karioi .25, Karamu 20, Matakowhai 10 per cent. Cr Otway seconded, but only the mover and seconder supported it. The discussion then turned on the provision of a toll gate, but this decision did not reach practical form. Crs Taylor and Parker next moved an amendment that the payment be: Whaingaroa 45 per cent, Karioi 30 per cent, Karamu 20 per cent, and Matakowhai 5 per cent; Karioi and Karamu to be relieved of 2i per cent at the expiry of 12 months, and Matakowhai to pay 10 per cent from that outThis was defeated by G votes to 2 votes.

The amendment standing in the names of Cr Swann and the chairman was put as the motion and carried, Cr Parker voting against it. Tho Loan Favoured.

The engineer's loan proposals were discussed next, and met with general support, Cr Parker stating that a id rate would give them a road in a short time, while it would be years the way they were acting now before they achieved that desire.

In answer to Cr Otway, the engineer said that £IOOO subsidy was available for part of the road, and there might be more. The chairman said it would not be possible to do anything this year, except to get the quarries open. """ The engineer's report was adopted, and the clerk instructed to take the necessary steps to raise a loan of £4OOO over YY'haingaroa, Karioi and Matakowhai ridings, and that portion of Karamu riding, now included in the Raglan-Waipa special rating district. Cr Vowles opposed the decision to include portion of tho Matakowhai riding which went beyond the old Moerangi line, but the Council passed it.