AWAITI ROADS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5436, 17 June 1929, Page 2

AWAITI ROADS.

INCREASED SUBSIDY SOUGHT. MINISTER REFUSES REQUEST. The Minister of Public Works, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, has forwarded to the Hauraki Plains County Council, through Mr A. M. Samuel, M.P., a reply to the request by a deputation for the subsidy for the metalling of the Netherton Block roads to be increased from £1 for £1 to £2 for £l. Inquiries had been made, the Minister wrote, and it was found that the matter had been gone into very thoroughly during last year, when it was ascertained that practically all the work embodied in the original proposals in respect to these roads had been completed. It was understood that when the proposals for this metalling was formulated the interested settlers were quite satisfied with the subsidy on a £ for £ basis, and for that reason the Hon. K. S. Williams had stated that it was evident that the request was the result of the Government having granted a £2 for £1 subsidy on a loan raised in another part of the county. Each application for subsidy was considered on its merits as existing at the time it was received, irrespective of the treatment accorded other applications, continued the Minister, and it would appear that as the settlers interested in the Awaiti roads were prepared to proceed with the work, the £ for £ subsidy which was granted was fair and reasonable. The rate of assistance which had been provided for works in other ridings was arrived at in the same manner, pointed out the letter, and the fact that a higher rate was decided upon did not warrant a further grant for work already done in order to icrease the subsidy to the same level There seemed to be no doubt that these settlers received the most liberal assistance that was considered to be warranted at the time the metalling proposals were dealt with, and the Minister said he was definitely of the opinion that the Government would not be justified in now favourably considering the provision of further funds for the purpose of increasing that subsidy. The chairman considered that the council should take up the ma’.ter with, the Government on the first occasion on which the council had a representative in Wellington.