PUKEKAWA-WHANGAPE LOAN.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 686, 22 November 1921, Page 5

PUKEKAWA-WHANGAPE LOAN.

At last meeting of the Raglan County Council a deputation yof Whangape settlens waited o,n the Council •wfith reference to |the Puke-kawa-Whangape loan, and urged that the metalling of the Opuatia and Whangape hills be proceeded with early as possible. The chairman was sympathetic, but explained that the Government had cut out all grants, He had interviewed the Minister and pointed out the urgency of the work. Mr Simpson, one of the deputation, suggested that, the Council carry on and spend the loan money, and that only the worst portions of the road be metalled; ' Cr Johnstone: Of course those who pay have a righjt to say how the money will be spent. Continuing the chairman stated that he had had four different interviews wi(th the .Minister on the subject, and he had every reason ito believe they would jet a subsidy, if (they had patience. The engineeii: This is ratepayers’ money, and if they want to spend it then they will( only get half ithe work done.

A member: It’s an extraordinary position for a reputable Government to take up. ‘ It’s not Government money, and we are not under any obligation to 'the Government for it. We pay interest on it and it’s really our money drawn from the Consolidated Fund. The settlers have done their part and the Government have failed to do theirs. They won’t even promise Ithe money when they have it. I can’t conceive it’s the action of the whole Cabinet. The chairman concluded the discussion by remarking that they had had the same trouble with previous Ministers. In this particular case the District Engineer, had forwarded 'the plan to Auckand, who in turn had submitted/ it to Wellington, and he did ncit anticipate any difficulty in regard jto a grant.