COUNTY COUNCIL AND ROAD BOARDS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2161, 17 August 1907, Page 4

COUNTY COUNCIL AND ROAD BOARDS.

The Taruheru Road Board wrote to the Cook County Council yesterday asking that King’s road, Makauri, be taken over as a County road. It was a main thoroughfare largely used for Country and Borough traffic, and the upkeep should not bo imposed upon the Board. The Chairman was in favor of the request. There was no doubt the road was mainly used by outside traffic. If the Board was unable to maintain it the road would get into a bad state of disrepair. Cr. Sherratt: They are handing over their worst road. Why not hand over the whole district? The Chairman: It is not their worst road ; it is a good road at present. Cr. Lysnar mentioned that it would nob bo fair for the Board to hand over its much-used road and still receive tho subsidy. If the Board found it could not successfully carry on it should merge into the County, the same as the Poverty Bay Board was doing. The Clerk mentioned that the subsidy handed to the Board was fourfifths, the Council retaining a fifth. Cr. Lysnar said other Boards would follow the same precedent. The Chairman: So long as tho roads are main thoroughfares used for County traffic they are entitled to do so.

Cr. Matthews looked upon it as a County road. Ho had looked into the matter and so far as he could see Road Boards would be very foolish to merge into the County, which could rate them as it liked.

Cr. Lysnar pointed out that it was not a good plan for Boards to rate themselves, as they lost the subsidy. It was better for the Council to receive subsidy on all rates, and dispense the funds, Cr. Matthews said ho would not? advise Boards to relinquish control. Cr. McDonald moved that the request be granted, as the road was undoubtedly used for County traffic. Cr. Matthews seconded. Cr. Slierratt was against taking over part of a Road Board district. Cr. Lysnar wanted the matter left over to a full meeting, but the Council decided to put the motion, which was carried by 3 to 2. Cr. Slierratt brought up the question of making a grant of £4O to the Patutahi Road Board, to supplement the subsidy of £l6O which was found insufficient. ' He moved that the request be granted. The Clerk said the Council had power to make the grant. Cr. Lysnar did not dispute this, but pointed out that the Patutahi riding was overdrawn, and an equivalent rate should be imposed. Cr. Matthews: The Board might as well strike the rate itself. Cr. Lysnar: No, they would lose tho subsidy then. The Chairman seconded the motion. He did not take Cr. Lysnar’s figures as official. It was unreasonable to say a riding was overdrawn before any adjustment was made to see how they stood. Much of the expenditure was for the benefit of adjoining ridings. Cr. Slierratt took a similar view. The motion was carried. Cr. Lysnar signified his dissent, not because of illegality but because the riding was in debit. The Chairman: I would not like to say so off-hand. Tho riding accounts have never been apportioned. Cr. Lysnar said tho Council could not go back on these accounts, but the Chairman refused to recognise them as accounts. Money spent in one riding was not for the sole benefit of that riding. For instance, the expenditure authorised that day could be apportioned for the benefit of the Waikohu riding. “Will someone move that?” ho asked amidst laughter.

Cr. McDonald: I don’t mind so long as our riding receives the money.