NETHERTON ROADING.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4844, 24 June 1925, Page 2

NETHERTON ROADING.

COMPREHENSIVE SCHEME.

A LOAN POLL DESIRED. The Netherton Ratepayers’ Association at a meeting on Saturday evening decided to ask the Hauraki Plains County Council to take a poll of the ratepayers on a proposal to raise a loan for a comprehensive roading scheme, such as was outlined by the county engineer, Mr F. Basham, in December last.

Mr T. Vowles presided, and ratepayers present were. Messrs G. Death, C. Potter, E. Chester, P- Harold, H. Goble, A. Vowleis, W. Harold, R. Locke, B. Gwilliam. R. Roberts, J. Morrison, C. Gwilliam, F. T. V. Johnson, T. Richmond, A. J. Andrews, and C. HL Stembridge. Cr. Hare, the riding icprosculative, also attended. The matter came up in a roundabout way. Cr. Hare was asked toexplain the county road scheme which . had been mentioned in the council. Cr. Hare replied that such a proposal was being formulated, but details were being kept dark at present. As far as he could understand, it was a scheme to get bridges paid for by the whole county, and a few main roads as well. All the Netherton riding would get for the proposed rate of iy 2 d would be the main highway from Pekapeka Road to Puke Bridge. In his opinion it would be preferable for the riding to have its own comprehensive scheme at a 2l'>d rate. He had asked if the Netherton riding could be excluded -from the proposal, but had been informed that it was not feasible. He did not know how the Turua riding would take the proposal, as it already had good roads, for which it paid a big rate, but theie might be provision in the scheme tor giving that riding relief or cutting it out.'

Members commented that the proposal was probably one to make the riding pay for something it did not want, as had been done by the bridge scheme. It was asked if it was not possible to break away from the county and bring the riding under a road board.

After wandering to other subjects the discussion was brought back to the roading question by Mr Vowles, who asked for an expression of opinion concerning a loan for Wilson’s Road.

Mr Death said that the riding was faced with the expense of metalling the road, and the sooner it was done the better. He and others had changed their opinions on the matter. Speakers then advocated the comprehensime reading scheme, to be , undertaken as soon as possible, as ■, it would be preferable to the county reading scheme which was being for* mulated.

Cr. Hare supported, contending that, no council could include the riding in a county scheme after it had completed its roads. Several speakers said that in view of the council’s action in regard to the bridges it was porbable that the ' riding would be double rated. In reply to the chairman Mr Roberts said that the Pukahu Road settlers would not vote for Wilson’s Road unless it was included in a comprehensive scheme. It seemed to him that nothing would be done until the three sections —Netherton, Aw.aiti, and Pukahu Road —pulled together.

Mr Vowles asked for an expression ot opinion as to whether the riding wins prepared to sanction a loan of £29,000. This did not include any subsidies which would be granted. Cr. Hare, in reply to a questioner, said that the main road would probably be done first. The cld main road would only require a little attention for a long time, and until it required remetalling the portion of the loan would not be raised. The same would apply to other roads, so the full rate would not be levied for a long time.

• Mr Vowles said that the older settlers had bought their laud with good roads, while the Awaiti settlers had bought their land knowing that they would have to be rated for roading. The Awaiti settlers desired the other portion of the riding to help them. Mr Roberts (Awaiti) said that it was such statements as this that kept the various sections apart. The sooner personalities were dropped the better for ‘the necessary roading loan. Mr Vowles remarked that the meeting was a representative one, and he asked if anyone would move a motion requesting the council to take a poll of ratepayers.

Mr Death asked if it. would not be preferable to first take a postal ballot to ascertain the feeling of the riding, and thus save the expense of a loan poll.

Cr. Hare pointed out that the present time was very opportune for getting the work done. The Hikutaia quarry was being opened up, and the riding was paying its portion. IT it had a reading scheme the riding would get the benefit of this quarry. The riding was also helping to pay • for expensive engineers who were - necessary for the loan works in other ridings, and Netherton was getting less than its share of the (services of those engineers, as it had no loan work in hand. Unles more loans were raised the engineers would be dispensed with very shortly. The longer the scheme was delayed the worse would be the condition of the present reads, and thus more costly would be the new work. Mr Chester eaid that the ratepayers would be more likely to vote fof a loan if the council made more effort to collect outstanding rates.

Cr. Hare stated that instructions had been given to sue for all oUt-> standing rates. Mr Death moved, and Mr Robrets seconded, a motion urging the council to make every effort to get in the outstanding rates. Mr Death moved that the council be asked to take a poll at once on the scheme outlined by the county engineer at December meeting of the association.

Mr P. Harold seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously.