PLAINS ROADING SCHEME

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5041, 18 October 1926, Page 3

PLAINS ROADING SCHEME

PIPIROA BRIDGE PROPOSAL.

. DISCUSSION BY COUNCIL.

At Thursday’s meeting of the Hauraki Plains County Council the engineer was empowered, on the motion of Cr. Wai top, to prepare proposals for the metalling of the unmetalled roads in the Ngatea riding, and the Works Committee was empowered td proceed with the taking of a poll of ratepayers if it thought fit. This brought up a long discus,sion on the county reading scheme and the Pipiroa bridge proposal, as Cr. Miller expressed the opinion that the passing of this motion wa ; s the death knell of the county reading scheme. This view was not held, by Cr. Madgwick, who contended that the county scheme was bound ,to come in time because it was right. Cr Walton agreed, and pointed out that the parts of the county with metalled roads could well afford to argue for years for something better out of the county scheme, whereas the Settlers without metalled roads, were ■made to suffer.

Cr. Parfitt pointed out that the longer the county scheme was delayed the more difficult would be the adjustment. If the motion was carried he intended moving that the Pipiroa bridge be gone on with immediately. Cr. Mayn pointed out that the Pateto'nga riding favoured a riding scheme and would oppose the county scheme. Cr. Walton said it appealed that the county scheme was indefinitely deferred, and the only alternative was to go ahead with riding schemes. Cr. Madgwick said it was desirable to have the county scheme carried before riding schemes were carried. THE PIPIROA BRIDGE. Cr. Parfitt moved that steps be. taken to finalise the negotiations for the approach to the Pipiroa bridge, and also to obtain the, Governor-Gen-eral’s warrant for the erection of the bridge. Cr. Walton asked if it was intended to proceed over a special rating Area. Cr. Madgwick pointed out that £1385 had been expended on the Pipiroa ferry, and so far the total receipts only amounted to £55. He thought more return should be received from the ferry before the bridge was considered. He intended opposing the biidge tcoth and nail if it was to be built under a special rating .area. The proposed special rating area was. explained. It included that portion of the county not already rated for a bridge.

Cr. Ma,dgwick argued at length against the bridge, .and stressed the point that if existing rating areas for bridges were taken, into consideration the rating areas for ferries and bridge and ferry approach roads should also be considered. Cr. Parfitt asked that His motion be amended to 7 include “that an offer of £75 be made for the land required fol’ the approach road.”

Cr. Mayn opposed thie expenditure until such time as. the, council had agreed to go on with the bridge. •"Cr. Hicks also opposed. Cr. Parfitt pointed out that the warrant had been asked 'for and declined until the approach road had been legalised. Cr. Madgwick said tha,t he would continue to oppose the bridge unless it was sanctioned by a. poR of ratepayers. The Thames, borough was only contributing £750 to a £15,000 structure.

Crs. Reid and Fisher suported .this, contending that section 119 of the Public Works Act was never intended to be used in this manner.

Cr. Miller expressed doubt as to the wisdom of proceeding how, seeing that nearly £l4OO had just been spent on a ferry. The ferry should never have been established.

After some loose discussion Cr. Reid said that he did not .think he was agreeable to spreading the liability for the bridge over the whole, county. It was, pointed out that over the whole county the rate would be %d in the £.

After further discussion the clerk looked up the division taken ip September, 19245, on the matter.

Cr. Parfitt could ■ see that his motioin would not be carried, and annohinced that he would withdraw it until Cr. Harris was present. Discussion continued, and Cr. Miller said that he was. angry that the ferry had been authorised. Cr. Parfitt said that a big expenditure was necessary to make the ferry serviceable.

Cr. Madgwick said thijit the ferry would have to pay bette,r in the future or he would recommend that it be shut down.

In reply to a question the clerk said that the 'repairs and wages td date had cost £215 and the revenues was, £55-