NETHERTON ROADING.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4625, 14 November 1923, Page 2

NETHERTON ROADING.

DEPUTATION TO COUNCIL. RATING AREA FOR METALLING. A deputation comprising Messrs H. Paul, A. S. Fisher, C. Potter, W. Matthew’s, B. J. Coldicutt, and G- Sanders, representing the settilers of the School, Munro’s and Fisher’s roads, Netherton, waited upon the Hauraki Plains County Council and asked that the money available be spent and that a special rating area of the blocks facing the roads be created to raise a lorn to complete the metalling of the reads. Mr Fisher said that the settlers had been for 15 ye.ars on a clay road, and he thought that something should be done. The chairman asked if the area would be prepared to contribute towards the cost of the main road. Mr Matthews said that the back roads were not sufficient and he was sure the settlers would vote for a loan for the main road. Mr Coldicutt said that six inches of metal only was required on the back portion of the roads. Nine inches was required for the front portions. In reply to Cr. Hayward, Mr Potter said that the recent loan was turned down .because the settlers thought the extra cost for bitumen for the back roads would make the cost too high. Mr Coldicutt said that the roads on which they advocated six inches were dead ends, and would never be anything else. » The engineer said that under no circumstances would be sanction six inches of metal on clay, unless it was intended later on to spread more and lay bitumen. Cr. Hare said that it was no use talking bitumen to the people of Netherton. Cr. Hayward ‘said that a. road should be made to last, the term of the loan, and it was well known that water-bound macadam would not chthis, - Cr. Madgwick supported. Mr Madgwick said that the settlers had had only a clay road for 14 years and should be given metal when they asked for it without; having bitumen forced upon them. . Cr. Mayn agreed, hut opposed making any road with only six inches of metal. Cr.- McLoughlin said that the work should be done, but the council could not promise anything until the machinery loan was carried. Mr Potter intimated that if the metal was put on the river bank he would undertake to have it spread. Cr. McLoughlin said that unless the loan was carried tjie council could not provide the punts to take the metal to the river bank, Mr Potter stated that in hi ( s opinion the Netherton people vrould support the machinery loan. Cr. Hayward said that there was no doubt that the deputation should get, first consideration, but; the -council could not make promises at present, as it had not the necessary machinery. He thought that a big mistake would be made by raising a loan for less than enough to bitumen seal the road. Cr. Madgwick said that in Taranaki, where there was a quarry every mile or so, and metal only cost a few shillings, the local bodies had found that, it was a paying proposition to seal with bitumen. The chairman said that by advertising bitumen the council was not seeking to give a costly road, but was sure that it would be very advisable in the interests of the ratepayers. Cr. Parfitt said that the council should adopt the policy of requiring bitumen-bound roads in every case. Cr Hayward asked if the deputation would guarantee that the loan poll would be carried, and all the deputation said that they would support the preposition and Mr Fisher showed a list of ratepayers in the area who had signified their willingness. Cr. Hayward asked if the settlers would support a poll for bitumensealing the road provided only seven inches of metal was provided. The cost would be about £looo' more than the cost of a water-bound macadam road with nine inches of metal. The deputation said that this would be supported. Mr Fisher said that the setters would hold a meeting and discuss the position. He asked if the clerk would prepare a roll as soon as possible, to save time should the settlers decide to adopt either the bitumen or the water-bound macadam, Finally Cr. Parfitt moved, and Cr. Haywards seconded, that the engineer prepare estimates for the deputation apd the elerk prepare the poll. The motion was carried.