WOULD DEFEAT SUB-DIVISION

Chronicle (Levin), 22 May 1946, Page 4

WOULD DEFEAT SUB-DIVISION

PROPOSED SPHCLFiCATIONS FOR NiEW bTiREETS BURHEN OF COST TOO GREAT^ The deciaon of the Levin Borough Council at its December meeting lix standar-d spgcificafions lor t'he^ for-ination tof new stjeets was lurtner •,disciussed on Monday night at the council's May meeting. Having given notice of .motion, ?Cr. W. Telford moved that ohe motion to fix standard specincaticns be rescinded. ?Cr. F. E. Parker said that if the sugg-ested specifications svere adopted as the .standard for riew streets, the council was going to he.fe.aj sub-division. He knew of ■one large sub-division where on the proposed specifications ' the road -would cost £220.0, .eqUal to ,£70 or mor-e per section, and it had heen held up because of it. From -an acre of that land as it stood the council would receive about £4 or £4 10s per year -in rates. but if the ■sub-division was proceeaed with the same acre as four separate sec•tions wouid yield £18 or £20 in rrat.es, The Mayor (Mr. H- B. Burdekin) said that ihe works committee had only -discussed the matier in broad outline, -and had instructed the engineer to draw UP a standard set of specifications. Hs asked if it was fair to expect the borough as a v/hole to pay in perpetuity for poorly made roads and footp.aths. Cr. Parker remarked- that the borough had managed up fo the present, • and had gro.wn to one of che best towns on the coast. Under the -proposed .speeifications the burden of roading in sub-divisions would be too great. The Mayor said that what he v.ould like to know-was the Roint at which it was considered that the ratepay.ers as a whole should be asked to shoulder some of the respopsibility for those cutting up land for sale to make a profit. Cr. Parker suggested that the provisjon of a water main in- new streets at £14 per chain be not included in the specifications, and that the concrete kerbing be done away with, substituting in its place the rolled edge type of footpath. Cr. V. E. Hudson advised that he had received one comp.laint about the proposed specifications, and in that instance the sub-division -would not be proceeded with if uiey were adopted. He was also of the opinion that the water reticuiation should be deleted and concrete kerbing be reblaced with the rolled (edge type of footpath. ■ j The Mayor commented that he [was giad of the discussion as he twanted to get down to bedrock. He t mggested that the matter .be , referred back to the works cominitte.e to bring down specihcations more in line with the council's ■ intentions, and that in the meantime each sub-division be deajt -with .on its. merits. -;■• -Y - ** This suggestion was adopted by the council.