RIVERSIDE ROAD.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 224, 28 September 1901, Page 1

RIVERSIDE ROAD.

DISCUSSION AT BOARD’S MEETING. . At the meeting of the Whataupoko Road Board last night the following letter was 1 read from Mrs Simeon : “ Gentlemen,—l wish to draw your attention to the dangerous state of the Riverside road. The holes are so large, , and at any time an accident may take place near the little bridge. The hill lias been cut away, leaving a large amount of earth down and large holes made by the heavy carts standing so long being loaded. The road near my property is in a dreadful state, owing to the branches of trees lying over it and a' perfect sea of water lying under them ; the drains are choked, and cows and horses being allowed to wander about ehoko the water channels. I have spoken to the Poundkeeper with regard to these animals, and he takes not the slightest notice. Why have we to pay a man who does not do his work, and favors a few ? Trusting some steps will be taken to set the road in order, and have the just complaints of those living up here attended to.” A general discussion on the subject ensued. The Chairman stated that the work specially referred to had been attended to. Mr Sievwright moved that a return for five years past be prepared showing what had been spent on the road, and how much had been contributed in tho district for the same period. There might, ho said, be a necessity to spend a good deal, but it should not be done at the expense of the rest of the district. Tho Chairman said that the whole thing put in a nutshell was that to put tho road in proper order would require an expenditure of about £3OO, and then they would in addition have to buy land to widen tho road. An expenditure of £2O now would moan that when the heavy traffic came on to the road tho surface would soon be ground into dust. Tho road was so narrow that it was impossible to keep the water channels clean, and little slips kept coining down. It would require a man constantly attending to it. The road should never have come that way—the proper route was the other side of the hill.

MrLysnar: It is impossible to make it a thoroughly good road, but it is our duty to see that thcro are no dangerous holes on the road, and that it is not loft in a dangerous condition. Mr Orr : Wo must do our best with the moans at our disposal.

Mr Lysnar said they should not he too cheeseparing on the question of revenue derived, as other people besides the Riverside residents made use of the road.

Mr Sievwright; We only want to see how tho thing stands. Mr Lysnar said he had no objection to Mr Sievwright’s motion, but he held that it was trheir duty to make the road safe.

The Chairman said that it was not the only placo from which they had complaints. Whitaker street was as dangerous, and Mr Maun and others had often called that to their notice. He remembered the time whon the people on the Riversido made an effort to help themselves, and formed working bees, hut now they sat down and wrote letters to the Times.

Mr Lysnar said that the main traffic was from the l’ouawa district, and that Board should be approached to ascertain what assistance it would give towards the road. Ho would second the motion, which would obtain some serviceable information.

The motion to have a return prepared was agreed to, the return to cover the past five years. On the motion of the Chairman, Messrs Lysnar and Orr were appointed a committee to meet and confer with the Pouawa Board in regard to the maintenance of the road. The Chairman said that the present condition of things was a great hardship on the Riverside residents. The small amount of traffic they required on the road did not cut it up ; it was the heavy bads of firewood, etc., passing through. It was proposed at one time to make it a county road, but a member of the Board objecting nothing further had been done. Mr Lysnar: It should be made a County road now. Messrs Lysnar and Orr urged that the road should be fenced at a cost not to exceed dES, and tabled a motion to that effect. The Chairman and Mr Sievwright opposed the motion, considering that the po3ts would not hold. Mr Lysnar referred to the great services the fences were at Scott’s cutting and on the Waimata road. The motion was lost. For: Messrs Lysnar and Orr; against: The Chairman and Mr Sievwright. The Chairman gave his casting vote against the motion. The Chairman said he would agree to the £5 being used for extra metal, increasing the limit to .£25, but after discussion withdrew the motion in view of the proposal to confer with the Pouawa Board. On the motion of Mr Lysnar, it was resolved to reply to Mrs Simeon that as far as possible the Board would give effect to her request.