ORCHARD EAST ROAD.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4928, 20 January 1926, Page 3

ORCHARD EAST ROAD.

QUESTION OF BITLMIMSiNG.

IHC-HWAYS BOARD OBJECTS. At me meeting ot- me Hauraki Plains County Council yesterday a letter was read from the chairman of the No. 2 District Highways Council advising that the board was, unable to alter its previous decision, and was not willing to subsidise .the cost ot bitumen penetration on Orchard Ea,st Road from the bridge to the corner, as it was firmly of opinion that the cheapest road and the most satisfactory one for traffic would be obtained by using broken stone surfaced with some sort of light shingle. Cr. Hayward asked what was to be clone with the loajn money that had been raised. The road was going to pieces very rapidly, and something was needed at once. The loan money could not be used for-'maintenance.

In reply to Cr. Hayward the clerk said that the only thing that could be done with the money was ,to pay it back into the sinking fund or put it on deposit. If it was paid back the authority would be wiped out, and there was v little chance of anotnei loan being sanctioned by the whole riding for that section of road. If the money was put on deposit 2 1 /> per cent, interest would be lost.

Cr.' Madgwick said .that it was a sorry d r ay for tho county when it became tied up with the highways; scheme. '

The chairman said that tjie 'Highways, Board had certainly .put the council in a hole by leading it on and then, turning it down at the last moment. The council had not taken the maintenance into consideration when striking its rates. ■

Cr. Hayward moved that the Highways Board be asked to sanction a 9ft wide concrete road. Seconded by Cr. Pajrfitt.

The engineer said there was no doubt that the board would not agree to the suggestion.

The motion was carried, and it was also decided to have tire £2OOO placed fixed deposit for nine months.