CUTTING-UP STREETS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 9 December 1927, Page 3

CUTTING-UP STREETS

FOE GAS COMPANY CONNECTIONS. HASTING COUNCIL DISSATIS FIED. “That the engineer keep a strict record with dates and localities of all road and footpaths cut up by the Napier Gas Company, and that same be submitted to the Works Committee immediately after such cutting up is done, and all repairs to same must be passed to the satisfaction of the Works Committee immediately after such cutting up is done, and all repairs to same must be passed to the satisfaction of the Works Committee or Council.” This was the notice of motion given by Cr S. J. McKee at the last meeting of the Hastings Borough Council. Last evening Cr. McKee brought forward his motion, and in doing so he explained that he considered it the duty of the council to see that the good condition of the roads and footpaths was considered. “Some of the roads and pathways have been cut up by the company over 18 months ago, yet they have not been replaced in "the same condition as they were prior to this,” declared Cr McKee, ivho contended that the council was endeavouring to get good roads and pathways, and if allowed to be destroyed and no effort made to restore them to their former state then it was disheartening to the council. He explained that the company eut up the roads under an Act of Parliament which was quite clear in its authority to do so. The Act also was quite clear in its directions that the road or footpath must be made the same. “This must be done immediately according to the Act, not in 12 or 18 months’time” stated the Councillor, who thought that the blame was really on the council not the engineer, to see that directions of the Act wore strictly adhere too. Cr It. Bnker seconded the motion. Cr E. V. Simpson: There is no reason why the company should not restore it but surely the engineer should see that it is done not the council. “The whole matter rests with the engineer and the company” declared Cr. G. C. Lowe. Cr. T. Donovan: It is his duty to see that it is done. It was the contention of Cr McKee that if the council put everything on the engineer, the time would soon arrive when he would be unable to do his work. “My idea,” he said, “is to have a record of all the streets cut up and then the Works Committee can see to it, through the engineer if it likes, that the parts cut up are replaced.” Upon putting the motion to the meeting it was carried without a dissenting voice.