CONTROL OF ROADS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4575, 15 June 1923, Page 1

CONTROL OF ROADS.

TURL’A TOWN BOARD AREA. A letter was read at the last meeting of the Hauraki Plains County Council from the clerr of the Turua Town Board asking the Council to come to a working arrangement with the Board in connection with control and maintenance of the roads in the Town Board area. The Board also asked that in considering the question for this year the Council would see its. way to mak a slightly higher proportion of the rates levied in the Board’s area by the Council payable to the Board, and suggested that the amount be three-quarters instead of two-thirds, as agreed to last year. The Council was asked to take into consideration the exceptionally bad state of the roads at the present time, and that, the Board was now spending practically the whole of its revenue in metal alone, and very nearly all labour was given free. The Board had, during the past month, spent £l2O in x metal alone and it would be necessary to have considerably more done to /keep the roads open. The Council was asked to expedite the poll for the road loan, and also for a financial statement as between the Council and the Board at Marph 31. In reply to Cr. Mayn the chairman said that the Council's proportion of the general charges worked out tc £75 last year. This was not establishing a precedent. Cr. Mayn said that the Council would do what was fair. The clerk intimated that he would have to know the cost of some metal and the bitumen before making an adjustment. These were partly incurred since March 31, but prior to then there was not so much. In regard to the balance of the metal for, Piako Road, the engineer said that it had not yet been landed, but would probably be there this week. in regard to the loan proposals, the clerk said that an objection had come in and the matter had to be put before a stipendiary magistrate. He could not do anything till then. The matter would go before the magistrate on June-21. Cr. Madgwick said that now was the the time to have the poll carried. The people of Turua wer ( e a cantankerous lot, but were unanimous at present. The clerk pointed out that any concessions that might be given to the Town Board would fall upon the Turua riding. Cr. Hayward said that their reading scheme should. be supported, in regard to the work done by the roller in the Turua town area, the Board would pay running expenses and 1 wages, including the . time spent bythe driver in waiting. Cr. Parfitt moved, and Cr. Mayn seconded, that the amount pf the; working agreement with the Turua; Town Board be the amount collect-; able by rates less the amount of their, proportion pf (the general expenditure.. The motion was carried.