PEKAPEKA ROAD.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4585, 11 July 1923, Page 3

PEKAPEKA ROAD.

SPECIAL RATING AREA WANTED. DEPUTATION TO COUNCIL. Messrs G. Mclntosh, J,. Pearce, A. Pearse, E. J. Williams, and W. B. Williams, of Kerepeehi, waited on the Hauraki Plains County Council at its meeting yesterday and asked that a special rating area be formed to raise a loan to metal Pekapeka road. The deputation pointed out that some money was already available and a Government grant bad at one time been but the latter had now lapsed. The road was about three and a half miles long. The clerk said that of the loan of £BOB the sum of £315 had been spent. - The engineer said that it, would cost, roughly, £3000; to metal the road. It was pointed out by the deputation that the settlers were unanimous, and in all probability a poll would not be required. ; The clerk suggested that it would be easier to gelt. a three-fifths majority at a poll than the signatures of the ratepayers on a petition. Native ratepayers had to be considered. The deputation asked that the Lands Department be asked what amount it would contribute. They also asked whether the work could be commenced next summer if it was decided to go on with the work. " The engnieer said that it could be done if punts were available. Cr. Madgwick said that it all hingdd on the machinery loan being carried.-

Members contended that the road should be done, but metal could not be supplied without more punts, and these could not be purchased unless the machinery loan was carried. „Cr. Madgwick said that as the denotation was only asking for a loan to supplement the old Netherton road loan, the road should be metalled before.other roads for which loans had recently been raised.

Cr. Hayward said that if the road loan was carried the work would be pushed on as early as possible. Members contended that loans must be spent in rotation. Cr. McLoughlin contended that as the Netherton Road loan was the old; est loan the work should be done first. Ur. Hare said that the work had been held up until cheaper metal became available. The deputation asked how the rates from Pekapeka Road had teen spent. It was pointed out that the riding had been much bigger,' and money had been spent elsewhere in the riding. The deputation asked that (the engineer prepare estimates for macadam and bitumen sealing for the road. The chairman sugested that the engineer- and the riding member meet the settlers concerned and discuss the matter. In the meantime the Lands Drainage Engineer should be approached. The deputation also asked that the Council refund to settlers the sum of £3O paid by them to the Lands Department for the purpose of forming the road from Kerepeehi to the Pekapeka road. They pointed out that had the Department not done the work the Council would have had to do it. . , . The chairman said that the payment could not be made.