WAIHI BEACH ROAD.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4479, 13 October 1922, Page 1

WAIHI BEACH ROAD.

QUESTION OF REPAIRS. CONFERENCE OF LOCAL BODIES. A conference between representatives of the Waihi Borough: Council and the Ohinemuri County Council was held at the Waihi Borough Chambers on Monday atfernopn to discuss matters pertaining to the repairs to the Waihi Beach Road. Mr A. RRobinson, chairman of the Ohinemuri County Council, Cr. H. M. Corbett, and Mr E. Shaw, engineer, represented the County, and the Waihi Borough representatives were the Mayor (Mr Donaldson), the towp clerk (Mr J. J. Ritchie), and Crs. N. J./Moon and H. A. Pipe.

The Mayor, who presided, in opening tha proceedings, said that they had met for the purpose of considering the question of some new allocation of the cost from the respective bodies or the reaching of some amicable arrangement that might be made towards the upkeep of the Waihi Beach R.oad, He understood that the visitors had come prepared with certain proposals, which he would ask them to lay before the conference. COUNTY PROPOSALS. Mr RObinson said that he recognised the difficulties under which the settlers were suffering, and hoped that the conference would arrive at a solution that would afford them: the necessary relief. He pointed put that Mr Corbett was the member for the riding, and was more familiar with local, conditions than himself, and he would therefore ask that gentleman to explain’ the proposals.' Mr Corbett outlined, the position under which the Beach Road was made by the Waihi Borough Council for the purpose of reaching the beach anl the Waihi Beach mining claim, which was then in full, operation. At that time no settlement along the line of road was contemplated, consequently the Ohinemuri County’s interest'was very small, and he understood the county only became responsible for 10 per cent, of the cost of maintenance. Continuing, the speaker said that they were chiefly concerned in that portion lying between the Tauranga Road and Hedge’s farm, and he thought that some arrangement could, be made whereby .the borough and county might contribute towards making that portion of the road. / The Mayor asked as to whether the county considered that its obligations to the Beach Road ceased at Hedge’s, because the borough was compelled to view the rpad as l a whole. If the first portion was essential to the county the second portion was equally essentia), to the borough. He said that, if some working arrangement could be entered intb whereby the county would maintain the road as far as Hedge’s and the borough maintain the remaining portion to the beach, that might be an acceptable solution. ••

In reply to a question the county engineer (Mr Shaw) explained that the cost of the formation and metalling of the road from the cemetery to the top end of Hedge’s property would cost some £2500. Of this formation -would cost approximately £9OO, and the balance would be for metal, drains, and other contingencies. A COSTLY WORK. On the question of the contrpl of the road Mr Corbett said that he was of the opinion that the road from, the Waihi cemetery to Hedge’s should be under the control pf the Ohinemuri County Council. He would, however, point out that it was quite impossible to raise the estimated cost of the construction of the road, from the ratepayers. To raise such' a sum' it would mean striking a. special rate of 3d in the £. He was strongly opposed to the idea of asking settlers for more than Id in the £ for road construction, and was satisfied, that this amount should be the limit.

The Mayor suggested that as)the portion of the road, referred ..to served settlers who paid rates )o the county, the latter might seek a £ for £ subsidy from the Government. He pointed out that up till now the Governmen had not contributed any money towards the cost of construction or maintenance.

At this stage the town clerk furnished data as to the money expended on the road since its construction in 1909. The figures showed that the original cost of construction was £3711, and of this the county council had contributed in varying amounts £3lO.

Asked as to the amounts of rates paid by the settlers concerned and what proportion of the collections had been spent on the road, Mr Corbett said that he was not sure as to the amount of rates received nor how much the county had expended' on the roafi.

Questioned as to the nature of tne construction Mr Sihaw said that the road would' have to be rounded up for its whole width, and that the width of metal across the road would be lOlt and 6in in depth, TOLL GATE SUGGESTED.

Referring to the suggestion that the Government should come to the county’s assistance, Cr. Corbett said that the Government was opposed t.o contributing towards a road which led to a pleasure resort, but in the circumstances of the greater portion of the road serving settlers the Government. might possibly favourably consider an application. Owing, however, to the stringency of the Government’s finances the prospect, was not too hopeful. While opposed to the principle of toll gates, he thought that the erection of a toll gate at or near the entrance of the gorge as the only solution to financing the construction of the road. He was only concerned

about the construction, as the rates would meet the cost of maintenance. The Waihi Borough,representatives thought that such a proposal would meet with strong opposition in Waihi. To a suggestion by the Mayor that residents of the borough should be exempt from the tax Mr Corbett pointed out that such a plan would be impracticable; all and sundry would have to pay or the proposal could not be entertained. The result of the conference was that the matter ofl a toll gate should be submitted to both local bodies for consideration, and in the event qf no serious work being undertaken at an early date Mr Shaw should be invited to confer with t ( he borough foreman re the minimum of work required to be done ,to render the road safe for traffic. When the result of their investigation is available the matter would be again reviewed at another conference.— Telegraph.