HUTT ROAD PROBLEM

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2799, 17 June 1916, Page 7

HUTT ROAD PROBLEM

QUESTIONS OF FINANCE

A CONCRETE ROAD PROPOSED

Yesterday afternoon the Jfutt ltoad Board met to dismiss the estimates of. the cost of the upkeep of the Hutt ltoad for thu year ending jlarc-Ji 31, 1917. Tile Mayor of Wellington (Jlr, J. J.'. Luke) presided, and others present iuMessrs. C. (J. Crump (Onsiow), 11. Baldwin (Lovrer Jlutt), J. \V. Jt'JJwuii (iv tonc), J?. T. Moore (Johnsonville), M. VV. Welch (Hutt County), H. ,1. Mounghan (Jlakara County). The estimates were made by the Wellington City .Kugiueer (Mr. \v. H. Morion), and were:— Labour and cartage 1,200 •Metal (7000 yards; 3,325 Screenings 260 Polling (use of steam roller and driver, 130 days at 305.) 285' Contingents 100 JWi.liO Mr. J. M'Eu-an _ considered the estimate much too high, and lib moved:— "That the estimates should be cut down by lialf, and that the City Council should be asked to make the necessary financial arrangements to enable a coneiete road to be made in tlis near future." Mr, Baldwin seconded. 31 r. Jloore said that he 'thought that ■£2500 was enough to pay for the road, and would it not be better'if the city could take oue portion of the road and keep it in order, and the small bodies look after the remainder. Tlicro was going_ to be friction until the work was divided, and in some such division lay' the solution of the trouble. Tho chairman said he recognised that the small boroughs had' their financial troubles, but the city bad its, too. It did not. seem to be recognised -what efficient work the City Council had already done at a minimum cost. The road must be kept in very gotfd 'order if it was to justify its capital cost. The motion to cut the estimate down by half was very ill-advised. ' If only half the amount was spent, only half the efficiency would be secured. Jl'r. Moore's, suggestion could not be entertained by any business man. Ho advised the meeting to pass a resolution asking the City Council to reconsider the estimates with a view to ascertaining it "the amount could be reduced. ■Mr. Baldwin: Wo don't think it'advisable to spend that amount of money when there is a chance of going in for a concrete road.

■ The chairman did not think-tliere was any hope of getting a concrete road. Sr. Crump: I am sorry to hear you say that. ... • ■ The cliftirman asked how they were going to finance-'such a proposition >yhen they already coiuplaincd of financial troubles. Mr. Baldwin: The City Council has the power to finance it. 1 Someouß observed that it seemed absurd to make a concrete road for the motorists, from whom they could get no revenue. It was pointed out that toll-gates would catch the motorists. • Air. AVelch said that in. 'l'aranaki excellent roads were made of restar, and that toll-gates .were ejected. Why not r«star here?

On the suggestion of the Mayor, it was decided: "That the estimates should-be referred baclc to the City Council for further- consideration, with, a view to reduction, having regard to the minimum requirements, until such time as a more permanent work can be carried out, and that the City Council make the necessary financial arrangements for a con-, creto road «t the earliest possible date." The board resolved also that an annual charge on motor-cars should, be made if the hoard has the power.