HORAHIA RIDING ROADS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4771, 3 November 1924, Page 2

HORAHIA RIDING ROADS.

“ + - RATEPAYEBS OBJECT TO SCHEME. " BITUMEN TOO EXPENSIVE. The Horahia RidingT bituminous reading scheme, for which a loan of £28,600 was in December last authorised by a poll of ratepayers by 55 votes to 20, was the subject matter of a large and representative meeting of ratepayers held at the residence o' Mr T. Wheeler on Saturday evening. Mr W. McDuff, one of the conveners, explained that most of the ratepayers of the riding were of opinion that the cost of the bituminous roads was more than could be borne at the present time* Mr J. McKerchar, the other convener, said that he was once in favour of the proposal, but had since his opinion and was now dead against the bituminous roads. He thought that, the County Council should be asked to abandon the scheme. So far none of the loan money had be«<. raised Mr A. Rogers pointed out that a contract tor the delivery of metal, some of which was intended for the Horahia riding, had been let Mr McDuff said that the contract could be reduced. ’ Such a contingency had been provided for. Mr Willy pointed out the moral obligation. The council by calling tenders for a big supply of metal had induced contractors to bring their plant from Taranaki. Mr H. Dann suggested that a deputation wait upon the council and ascertain the position. Mr A. Rogers asked if there was-; any alternative scheme to the bitumen roads. Messrs McKerchar and McDuff explained that the county engineer had expressed the opinion that for £7O a mile a year the existing red roads could be maintained in excellent order. The county clerk had stated that by increasing the present general'rate by one penny in the £ from £llO to £l4O would be available annually for the maintenance of the existing roads on the flat portions of thecounty. In the opinion of the ers this would be preferable at the present time to expending the loan money and incurring a rate of 3%d in the £. The settlers were not able to pay their-present rates, eo would not be able to pay them when increased. Mr W. E. G. Willy expressed the opinion that a less expensive bitumen road might be considered. He knew that the times were very hard, and that many were unable to pay their debts. It was for the meeting to say whether it favoured bitumen roads or not. Mr H. Dann asked if it would not be advisable to defer spending the loan that had been authorised until ■ the settlers were better able to pay. It would not be a sound policy to half do the job, and it would be useless to pile up rates when settlers were not able to pay. It was much more necessary to pay drainage rates, as it was J only drainage that would make the land more productive. Providing roads for motorists would not bene- ' fit the settlers. After a great deal more discussion on the question of whether the council should be asked to let the authority for the raising of the loan lapse altogether or to defer expending it for twelve months, a committee comprising Messrs A. H. Rogers, J. McKerchar, and W. McDuff was set up to confer with the county chairman, riding member, county engineer and the clerk to ascertain all the particulars and lay them before an other meeting of ratepayers, - TOLL-GATES. Mr C. Dale asked the opinion of the meeting on the establishment of tollgates. He quoted instances in Taranaki where toll-gates had been the means of paying for: good roads. Mr W. E. G. Willy said that it was practically impossible to secure permission to erect toll-gates,