SUMMIT ROAD.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16253, 2 July 1918, Page 6

SUMMIT ROAD.

APPEAL FOB ASSISTANCE. ALLEGATIONS OF MISMANAGEMENT. At the meeting of the City Council last evening, Cr. Ell made a very strong appeal to tho Conncil for financial assistance with regard to the completion of tho Summit road scheme, iu which ho has been tho moving spirit. He detailed the work which had already been done, and gavo due credit to the generosity of many citizens and country people who had given money and land for tho benefit of the road and its scenic beauties. So far the Council had given two donations of £25 each, and ho thought that, considering tho benefit the road was to tho citizens, the Council could reasonably give more to the Association. "When the track was finished the poorest citizen cf Christchurch would havo a road Co miles long, extending from Godley Head to Akaroa, which from a scenic point of view was second to none in the South Island. Saveral councillors commended the work of tho Summit Road. Association, and in reply to a question Cr. Ell said he had no doubt whatever that if tile Council decided to grant a reasonable amount annually to the Association; it could obtain a representative on tnat body. Cr. Burgoyne rather opposed the tying down of the Council to any promise of an annual grant. While recognising: that Cr. Ell had done good work, with his Association, he thougHt that the Council could hardly bo expected to give grants to anyone who liad a particular hobby ho wished forwarded, or they would never know where they would end. Cr. Beanland said he -would be opposed to tho Council being committed to any grant to the Summit Road Association unless it had representation, t'o that the Council's representative could see that the money was spent properly, which had not always been the case so far. Cr. Ell protested against the innuendo contained in the former speaker's remarks, and insisted that aB ho had said so much he should go further and state plainly where there had been a waste of money. > Cr. Beanland said lie had no objection in doing so. Money had been wasted on the Park Track Cottage at Kaituna. Cr. Ell denied that there had been any waste of money. The cottage had been built on lana given for the purpose by Mr W. A. Gray; the Resigns and plans for the cottage had been made by Mr Hurst Seager free of all charge. The building was necessary in the speaker's opinion; it was on the edge of a very valuable reserve which needed the services of a caretaker, to protect not only the bush but also the native fauna which iyas being killed by stray people with gunß. Cr. Flesher: Has it ever been occupiod ?

Cr. Ell said he had had over 20 walking parties of Christchurch residents who had used tho cottage, Mr Coop had given the use of his bullock teams free of charge to take up the timber for the flooring. Tho Teserve was a gift from Mr Walter .rarkinson, and lie (the speaker) felt it was his duty to see that $. substantial cottage was erected there to protect the leserve which had been generously given to the people oif Christchurch. there were three good rooms in the cottu<™ which was of a most substanand had only cost about £400 altogether. Cr. Beanland said that he had had something to do with the building of this cottage. Ho had superintended the erection of tne plaoo ujp to a certain point. He employed the ca'rponters and had raid £50 out of his own noeket to pav these men. It had take'n him months to get his money. A Mi 1 age had told him that the cottage was going to wrack and ruin, and that. the cattle were living in the building. It was not correct to say that all the carting had been done free of chaige. for the men who had car-ri-i °i the sledging work had been paid also. Ho stil} maintained that a loc °t money spent had been absolutely wasted. Personally he was not against a grant for the track between Avers Pass and Kennedy's Bush is }!l P aMrS 3 v tch l Ur f I 'did use this ' nlt tye Kaitun;> cottage was another matter. ° J Ve^ U -ll v decided to refer and P r Committee nc j Committee, who could make a recommendation to the Couu-