DUKE STREET, CAMBRIDGE

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17284, 21 December 1927, Page 9

DUKE STREET, CAMBRIDGE

WIDENING PROPOSITION. DEFINITE ACTION TAKEN. A meeting, convened by the Mayor, was held at the Council Chambers, Cambridge, yesterday, to consider the proposed scheme for the widening of Duke Street, There was a representative attendance of Duke Street business people, together with members of the committee set up by the Council t'o deal with the matter.

The Mayor explained the position. Mr Veale had offered three feet of his property, but the Council did not think it worth while going to all the expense for such a small width. The committee thought that those witli interests in Duke Street should be responsible for the cost. It would cost the Council about £2OO to remove the kerb, alter Hie camber of the road, etc., lo allow for Die extra width, and the Council felt that the town should not bear all of (his cost.

Mr J. Barugh thought Gft not sufficient, and suggested the street be widened a quarter-chain. If sufficient land be purchased at the back of the Duke Street sections it would give a right-of-way to these, and enable holders to give their frontages without any loss. The F.A.C., of which he was one of the directors, would assist with the project.

Matter for Those in Locality. Mr W. Care suggested that it was a matter for the people of the locality lo prepare a plan and say what they wanted. Mr C. Huge favoured the Gft widening, which iie thought would be all that was necessary. Mr F. Veale said that if a right-of-way were provided at the rear of their property they would not stand in the way of the scheme.

Mr Gascoignc favoured widening by 6ft, and lie and Mr Willis intimated their willingness to donate the frontage required. .Mr S. M. ,lames said f.fl added width wilh cribbing of 2ft from I lie footpath, would provide a 501't road, which would suffice. Ho agreed with Cr. Care that it, was a matter for the people id' Duke Street. Mr F. 11. Anderson slated that the Cambridge, Co-op. Dairy Co. was anxious for the road widening in Ihe interests of Cambridge. Their company had called for lenders for a new building, and wished to know what, to do. His company was prepared to give (he land required for widening.

Mr Frank Perm said he would not stand in the way of the widening, but pointed out it would cost a considerable, amount to move his building back, as he had no more land available. Apportionment of Cost. Mr Geo. Clark thought Hie whole cost of the si reel widening should not be charged lo Duke Street business people; the Council should boar part oj' the cosh. At the- same lime he was prepared lo hear a share of the cosl. .Messrs Cascoiglie and Huge supported Mr Clark's views. Mr Muorhouse Ihoughl Mr Barugh's scheme Loo ambitious. Replying lo questions, the Mayor said if the property-holders agreed on Gfl widening Hie Council could make the Town Planning Act apply, and prevent any new building being erected 1 on the old frontage. j

After further discussion the following committee was set up to formulate a scheme and submit it to the Council at the earliest possible moment: .Messrs F. Veale, ,1. Barugh, !•'. 11. Anderson. C. Huge, J. \V. Cane. together willi the committee of Lhe Council, comprising Lhe Mayor, (Irs, S. H. .lames, \V. Care and it. Moorhouse. It was resolved that lhe committee

make its assessments on the basis of widening the street, Oft, thus making a. 72ft street. The Mayor said the Council would sanction the use of a private right-of-way of any reasonable width for pro-perty-holders on the south of Duke Street. ' The meeting terminated with the. understanding .that the committee im-j mediately secure information as to the) cost, of land for a right-of-way, cost. of any compensation required, etc., and place concrete proposals before a meeting at an early date. j