THE KAITI ROAD.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 65, 20 March 1901, Page 3

THE KAITI ROAD.

PROPOSAL TO PUT IT IN OBDEE.

Every winter the Haiti road from the bridge past the freezing works lapses ints a disgraceful state ; the question arises a to what body should maintain it, and when repairs are made they are not of a permanent nature. Last night the matter was brought before the Council by a petition, the text of which was as follows : “ AVe, the undersigned ratepayers, and others, who are compelled to use daily the road between the Turanganui bridge and the breakwater, desire to respectfully call your attention to its present bad state, and to urge upon your Council tho extreme necessity of something being done towards putting it in order before the winter sets in. Signed—Thos. Ellery, W. O. Hansen,” J. Fernandez, W. J. Pierie, A. Wynd, J. R. Jones, F. Scott, C. Keene, W. Stuckey, W. L. Mitchell, W. Cather, E. Durston, Geo. J. Wiles, F. Morris, G. Richardson, W. Wrighton, E. Walsh, A. Lind, J. Hildred, John McKellar, W. H. Ewings, J. E. Newton, D. Coe, G. Brown, C. Badcliffe, J. Lentell, C. Clarke, F. Marigold, F. Bowker, W. Niven, J. Harvey, Syd. Old, D. Millea, A. MclCinstry, F. A. Burnett, John Page, A. E. Wheeler, Chas. Fogden, E. M. Herrick, S. J. Spiers, D. B. DoCo3ta, A. W. Kirk, Cruth Morse, W. Roderick, W. A. Holland, Hi French, F. Driscoll, B. S. Caulton, H. H. H. Jackson, jun., W. Hintham, J. Glennie, Richard

Kellett, T. Edwards, H. Algie, Alex. McKenzie, W. Marigold, S. Knowles, C. Fisher, J. Newton, J. O’Neil, R. James, W. Courtayne, Joe Fletcher, W. Bosley, A. Plalpin, E. File, W. Jackson, C. R. De Thierry, W. D. Wildish, C. Carson, W. Gray, B. Williamson, B. Sylvando, F. Corbett, W. AValters, J. H. Hill, W. Smith, B. W. Fisher, W. Markie, F. J. Single, W. Cannon, E. Morrow, D. A. McLeod, W. Banger, James Brown, J. W. McAney, John King, W. Prince, E. Cooper, Jno. Doleman.”

Tho following petition was received from the carters of Gisborne :—“ We, the undersigned carters in the Borough, beg to draw your attention to the state of the Kaiti Beach Boad past the Gisborne Freezing Works, and ask that you will kindly have some repairs done prior to winter setting in. We would remind you that on each occasion anything has been dono to this road we have gratuitously performed part.”—H. Partington, G. W. Markie, E. A. Yardley, D. MeKeague, Kennedy and Evans, Sheridan and Co., A. Sawyer, G. Hcrivel, A. E. Hepburn, Ben. Hird, Theo. Jackson, W. G. Yardley, Pool and Jamison. The Mayor said tho road was in a very bad state.

Cr Nolan said that tho question of th road came up every year, but it was no made a good job of. He suggested that tho petitioners should bo askod to supplement pound for pound what was given by the Borough. The road was of more benefit to the carters than to tho B oug h, to which it had been very expensive. The carters had always done something to tho road, and he thought thorc would bo no difficulty in getting a sum of £SO. The Council could then raise that sum to ,£IOO, and this was a proper season to do

it. There had been a great doal of gravel brought over the road for tho post-office. Cr Hepburn said that that had como along tho main Kaiti road. Cr Nolan said ho had seen it como along tho riverside road.

Cr Johnston said gravel was brought that way for Whataupoko as well. Cr Nolan said no doubt a great deal of it came for tho suburbs. Ho moved that .£SO be granted, provided it was supplemented by a like sum, and the ivork to be dono under the supervision of tho Overseer. Ho had no doubt that tho Freezing Company would subscribe liberally, and that the £SO would easily be obtainable. Cr Johnston seconded the motion; the carters had subscribed to tho work each year, and ho thought would do so again. Cr Jones moved as an amcudniont that

the Overseer bo instructed to inspect tho road and report as to the probable cost with tho view of calling for tenders to have the work done. Either tho Council was not liable, or it should maintain the road; ho thought they should face the liability at once, and have the work dono. If they sent round a subscription list it was possible many of thoso who had signed would not be willing to give anything towards tho cost, and it would mean trouble and delay. lie did not think it would cost so much as Cr Nolan mentioned.

After some general remarks by Councillors as to by what body tho road was most used, Cr. Joyce seconded the motion. He bolioved that the work could be dono for .£4O or £SO. If tho large holes were filled up with bouldors it should not cost a groat deal then to make a'satisfactory road with the lighter metal. It would be a difficult matter to go round and collect £SO for the work.

Cr. Nolan said tho amount he had proposed was subject to any alteration on tho cost being ascertained. Sovoral of those who bad signed tho petition had spoken to him on tho subject, and ho had told them they would have to pay half tho cost. They said they were quito willing to do so.

Cr. Jones said, if the Overseer’s estilato wore obtained tho petitioners could ten make an offer if they were willing to

In reply to the Mayor, the Overseer said that lie had not inspected the road lately, but he did not think £SO would go far towards doing the work properly, Cr Hepburn approved of Cr Nolan’s suggestion. Ho also thought that tho Kaiti Board should contribute a fair share.

It was, be said, a boundary road, and though when tho subject camo up it was denied that the Board used that road for gravel, ho had on a previous occasion counted twelve teams a day using the road to cart gravel for Kaiti.

Cr Lewis favored the view taken by Cr Jones, as to getting ail estimate. They should seek to get tho financial support of tho Koad Board and tho petitioners—a joint fund would fall lightly on all. Though the carters made most use of the road, if it were blocked to them, they could not supply tho demand for gravel. It would bo better to get the estimate, and then to approach the people to ask for a contribution.

Cr Johnston said he could not see much difference in tho motion and amendment.

Tho Mayor : Only that in one case a report is obtained, and then the Council can state definitely what it is prepared to vote.,

Cr Johnston : It would take a hundred pounds.

Cr Hepburn ; It would require £2OO. Cr Nolan said by stating £SO, they would give a limit. Cr. Johnston said he believed half the money required would soon be found. In reply to a question, the Town Clerk said that the road was within the borough. Tho amendment was carnet', on the easting vote of the Mayor. For: Crs Jones, Joyce and Lewis. Against : Crs Nolan, Hepburn, and Johnston.

The estimate is to bo laid before the next meeting.