THE ESPLANADE ROAD.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 84, 17 April 1901, Page 2

THE ESPLANADE ROAD.

NO TENDER ACCEPTED. At the meeting of the Borough Council last night, tenders for the Esplanade road, Kaiti, wore opened. There were only two tenders—R. Little, at £350, and John Forbes, £199 10s. Cr Lewis: There seems to bo a terrible mistake somewhere for there to be such a large difference. Cr Kennedy: I propose that no tender be accepted. The Mayor said it was very necessary that something should be done to the road, as it was almost impassable now, notwithstanding tho fine weather. If no tenders were accepted they should at least repair the road. If tenders were accepted there would be a good deal of money thrown away, as the only metal in the place fit for tho road was that from Patutahi. Cr Joyce considered that the road should be repaired under tho supervision of the Overseer. Cr Lewis said that by accepting a tender they would make themselves liable for it.

He would rather sacrifice his chance of coming back to the Council than give his sanction to a work entailing such an amount when so much was required to be done in other parts of the Borough. Some of those who had petitioned wore not ratepayers, nor lived near the place. He agree that the road should be patched and made passable, but if they were going to expend this enormous sum there, the townspeople would be up in arms. Cr Kennedy said he agreed as to the necessity of something being done, but seeing the state of their finances he did not think the expiring Council would be justified in accepting such a tender. The road would have to be attended to in some way. Cr Lewis seconded tho motion that no tender be accepted.

Cr Jones said that the Council had got a responsibility’, and should accept it. He had held that this work should not be gone into without some data as to the cost, and now they saw the desirability of such enquiry. He thought they’ should have the road patched, but as to the tenders it would be best to leave them to the now Council to deal with if it thought proper. The Council had power to call on the Kaiti Road Board to contribute, the allotment of shares, if necessary’, being made by the magistrate. ■„ Cr. Kennedy said he would bo agreeable to leaving the tenders to the new Council, but the seconder, Cr. Lewis, thought they might decide the matter that evening. The Mayor said he thought they should decide at once to return the tenders, as they 7 were much higher than was contemplated. In the meantime he would ask the Council to’ authorise the spending 'of a few pounds .to put the road in some sbrfc of order. Cr. Joyce agreed with that view, and it was resolved on the motion of the Mayqr, seconded by Cr Jorce, that £2O be authorised for the work. Cr Hepburn said that Kaiti should be called on to contribute, and it was agreed to ask the Kaiti Board to pay half,