PATETONGA ROADING.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4937, 10 February 1926, Page 3

PATETONGA ROADING.

A BIDING SCHEME. DEPUTATION TO COUNCIL, A deputation, comprising Messrs A. Whiteman, J. Patteijspn, A. J. McDonald, and J. Wilkins, representing the Patetonga Ratepayers’ Association, waited upon the Hauraki Plains County Council at its meeting yesterday. The deputation ,was introduced by the liding member, Cr. Mayn, who pointed out ‘khat since the Lands Department had shut down on metalling the roads the settlers had been discussing the question of taking the burden upon themselves. The Settlers’ Association looked adversely upon the county scheme, preferring a reading scheme. The crux of the matter was a source of cheap metal, and in his opinion further investigation should be made, as the district could not afford cos.tly metal. Mr Wilkins, the first speaker, said that the ratepayers desired a comprehensive metalling scheme, but could not afford a big rate. They desired to get an economical scheme, and suggested raising £lO,O-00, of which £5OOO would be used for the purpose of lifting the £2 for £1 subsidy on the main road. The other £5OOO, with .the subsidies that would perhaps be secured, would-be utilised for the subsidiary roads. The Ratepayers’ Association had gone carefully into the matter, and was of opinion that unless every part of the riding obtained some benefit from the loan all sections of ratepayers would not vote for the loan. The association desired the council’s comments on the proposal. Mr Whiteman s,aid that the /scheme was a compromise between the , main road and the riding scheme. It was proposed to allot £5OOO to the' main road, £l5OO to the Mangawhero road, £2500 to the top road, ,and £lOOO to th? tramline road. This would mean a. rate of about 2d in the £, and would bring the total rates up to sd, which was as much as the settlers, could afford. There was no doubt that such a proposal would be sanctioned by the ratepayers'.

.In reply to a councillor Mr Whiteman said that the allocations had been compiled according to .the sum that could be afforded, and not on the cost of the work. Every se.ttler would be given a metalled road outlet. Ct. Hayward asked if the settlers realised that subsidies could not be assured, and he asked what would be done if a subsidy was not available. Mr Wilkins said that the settlers were prepared ,to vote for ,the loan provided it was, agreed that no work would be done until a subsidy was assured. It was necessary to proceed in this manner, as, a poll for either the main road or the subsidiary rbads separately would not be sanctioned by the ratepayers. They felt that the Government should give at least a £2 for £1 Subsidy on the flat roads and a' £ for £ subsidy on the hill road.

At the request of a councillor a letter was read from the Hon. A l . D. McLeod, Minister for Lands, advising that the chief drainage engineer had been instructed to carry out the reclaying and grading of .the roads in the Pate.tonga district. Tn connection with this, matter he desired to inform the council that these roads in Patetjonga would be put in reasonably good order this summer, but that the department could not accept any responsibility for the maintenance after August next, as the period of Ijhree yeans- during which the department undertook to, maintain the roads would then have elapsed. Ci-. Parfitt: But .what about the work that should have beejn done 1

Cr. Mayn said that no stated period had ever before been mentioned. The Lands Drainage Engineer ha:d said that the department‘ would clay and reclay the roads when necessary.' It was decided, on the motion of Cr. Mayn, that the Lands Department be advised that the council had no knowledge of any period at the end of which the department’s liability ceased, and that reference be made to the official statements on the subject.

After some discussion 1 on the scope of the rating area Cr. Mayn moved that the county engineer proceed to Patetonga and discuss the matter wit(h the settlers, investigate® the sources of metal, and check the estimates ; also that the council ’.take .the necessary steps to comply with the settlers’ request.

Seconded by Cr. Hare and carried.

Discussion then followed on probable sources of metal, the chairman pointing out that he had made a (thorough investigation, and while many sources were found, none of tehm contained sufficient quantity. He suggested that the settlers go over the ground and find where the best supplies were situated. The deputation promised to' go into the matter.

Cr. Mayn said th,at the Ratepayers’ Association had voiced strong opposition to being included in the county’s main road echeme. He suggested that the area be given value, and that its obligations under the county scheme be not greater than its obligations had it undertaken the road work under a riding scheme. Mr Wilkins, in support, l advocated letting the settlers work out their own salvation on their own lines, which were very similar to those of .the county scheme. They desired an assurance that if they agreed to bear their own burden .they would not be loaded, with an additional loan for the county scheme.

Cr. Miller said that the matter required much consideration. Cr. Hare advised the deputation not to let the county scheme worry the settlers or delay the riding scheme. If the matter ever went forward the council would protect the Patetonga ratepayers.