METALLING OF ROADS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4853, 15 July 1925, Page 2

METALLING OF ROADS.

ATTITUDE OF THE GOVERNMENT. REPLY TO REPRESENTATIONS. The Minister for Lands, the Hon. A. D, McLeod, has written to the Hauraki Plains County Council as follows :— “Referring to your letter of the 7th ult., and to the representations made during my recent visit to Hauraki Plains regarding the metalling of the roads, 1 have now had an opportunity ot investigating the position. “It appeans to be assumed from the remarks on the original sale plans that the department was to undertake the metalling of the roads. This, however, is not .the case, as. the sale plans refer only to the ’construction of drains and roads. This means the formation of roads, but not the meta'ling thereof. “It was stated at Pipiroa that the late Prime Minister had given a promise in 1913 that the roads would be metalled. In this connection I have caused the departmental files to be searched and no trace of such a promise can be found. •T have carefully reviewed the position and discussed same with my responsible officers, but I regret to advise you that my department cannot undertake the metalling of the roads. I can only recommend that your Council approaches the Public Works Department for a £ for £ subsidy to assist in the carrying out of the work.”

Members pointed out that better offers had been received in the past. In the case o£ the road past the Pipiroa school, an offer of £2 for £1 had been received. Cr. McLoughlin severely criticised the reply of the Minister, contending that he was'the meet unfair Minister the council had' ever heard. There was no doubt that he had made up his mind prior to leaving Wellington how to reply to all deputations, and was now sticking to his preconceived decision. The Government was now granting money wholesale for the Rangitaiki area since it had been flooded. The Plains suffered from flooding every year, and the cumulative effect was much greater than one inundation such as that district experienced. WAITAKARURU CANAL ROAD. The Minister for Lands aliso wrote acknowledging receipt of the council’s letter regarding the metalling of the ' Waitakaruru-Maukoro Canal Road, for which tlie settlers offered a cash contribution of £2OO and. the council the use of its road roller, a total of approximately £250, . The offer w.as appreciated, but it was ergretted that the Government was still unable to undertake the work, as it was estimated that it would cost £4500, and the £250 offer was, therefore, totally inadequate. When the settlers were in a position to submit a proposal acceptable to. the Public Works Department the matter, would be referred to the Minister for Public Works. Cr. Hare expressed the opinion that the council had treated the Government too lightly. The Minister for Lands had rushed through the Plains and had not made any definite state-, ment of use to the district. He would like the Minister to make some statement now he had completed his tour and had tinie to consider the whole matter. Cr. Madgwick: Move a vote of no confidence in the Government. Cr. Hare: I would like to, but I think the council should make strong representations to the Government. Cr. McLoughlin thought that a petition should be circulated asking for a commission of inquiry into the whole drainage and roading question of the Plains. It would be signed by practically every person in the county. At a later stage Cr. Harris reported having received a reply to a telegram sent to Mr T. W. Rhodes, M.P.. who stated that he could not get anything definite that day from the Minister for Lands. The Minister suggested that the county -.chairman (.should confer with the district en- , gineer of the Public Works Department at Auckland .as to the Council’s quota of the cost and the subsidy conditions.

Cr. Harris moved that the chairman, and he proceed to Auckland and. confer with the district engineer.— Carried.