WAIHI RIDING ROADS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5498, 8 November 1929, Page 3

WAIHI RIDING ROADS.

METALLING IMPROVEMENTS. GOVERNMENT UNSYMPATHETIC As previously reported in this paper some time ago, after a series of meetings a group of Waihi settlers decided upon a proposal to raise a loan for the metalling of certain roads, should an extent of Government assistance be forthcoming, as it could riot be done otherwise.

At yesterday’s meeting of the Ohinemuri County Council a reply was received from the Minister of Public Works, in reply to the council’s inquiries, that he had received from the department’s district engineer at Auckland information of the proposed works. Concerning the question of Government assistance towards the cost of these works, the Minister considered there was little doubt that the Government would be justified in granting the customary £ for £ subsidy for metalling work, and stated he would be quite prepared to favourably consider the provision of subsidies on that basis when the necessary funds could be made available. As the amount involved was a fairly considerable sum, and as any amounts authorised for these works would be a charge against the council’s annual allocation, it was quite possible that the subsidies would have to be spread over a number of years. This was a matter for consideration when each year’s programme was being formulated. In the meantime the applications submitted by the council in connection with the main estimates for the current years were sufficient to absorb the total cash allocation, and in view of that, no benefit would accrue from the inclusion of further items for the works mentioned on the Supplementary Estimates. He regretted to state, therefore; that jt V?as not possible for him to agree to the provision of any funds for these roads this year, but the matter would receive further consideration when next year’s estimates were being prepared.

“A Staggering Blow.” After* the letter had been read the chairman, Cr. C. Mason, said it was a ’staggering blow to him ; he never realised that the Government would act thus. He understood the Government wished to help settlers who helped themselves. A £ for £ subsidy was not too much, and he had fully expected that something would have been done. The whole proposal had hinged on the subsidy. When the settlers knew of the Government’s answer they would be grievously disappointed.

Cr. G. Hoye thought there had been a grievous mistake somewhere. Already £5OOO had been placed on the Estimates for the county. Grants had been made for roads in the Waihi riding, but there was not sufficient money in the riding funds to lift them. If the Minister understood that the council wanted money to lift the grants already on the Estimates he might adopt a different attitude on the question.

The chairman explained that the scheme was to complete over’ a number of years unmetalled roads. Failing this, advantage could be taken of what was already on the Estimates. There was a £3OO free grant for the Waihi-Waikino road. In answer to Cr. W, F. Johnstone the chairman said that the £3OO was included in the comprehensive scheme. Cr. Hoye suggested that the Minister be written to and informed that there was not sufficient money in the rates to lift the grants on the Estimates, and that the idea of the loan was to borrow money to lift those amounts.

The chairman explained that it was not necessary to get the Minister’s permission to raise a loan. Cr. A. R. Robinson thought that the Government was not agreeable to a £ of £ subsidy on the comprehensive scheme. It was a question of whether the settlers, to get a loan carried, would rate themselves for a loan only on that for which there was a grant. If it was a loan on the comprehensive scheme the settlers would rate themselves, but if only on a part of it they might not. It was only right. that these -settlers should be Jielped. In this case help would aid the settlers in getting their produce out, and would be of benefit to the country. He was surprised at the Government’s attitude, and suggested that representations be made to it before the session closed.

The chairman-queried whether the sum could be placed on the Supplementary Estimates, but at the same time it was surprising what the Minister could do if he so wished. By-Roads First.

Continuing, Cr. Mason said that the whole proceeds from people on byroads in the ridings were going on the rriain highways. The settlers were getting restless. • The main highways were to blame for the state of the council’s finances. These settlers had been prepared to help themselves, and the Government should have looked on the matter in a favourable light. Cr. Mace : Hand over the main highways to the Main Highways Board. Cr. Johnstone : They wouldn’t take

them. Cr. Thornton.: Let them go to pieces.

Cr. Johnstone urged that strenuous representations should be made to the Government. It was spending so much money on relief work that perhaps it had none left for other work. This work, however, was much more important than most of the relief activities.

Cr. J. B. Morris maintained that it was about time something was done for the by-roads. Settlers there paid benzine tax, tyre tax, and all sorts of taxes, and yet were left out in the cold. Money was allowed and spent on such luxuries as footpaths, bowling greens, etc., in towns, and nothing

on country roads. “Give the by-road man a chance,” concluded Or. Morris, “ he’s paying the money, and probably, uses miles of by-roads to get to a small stretch of main highway. Or. Johnstone reiterated that side roads should come first, and then the main highways. Cr. Robinson contended that under the present regulations, if the council did not attend to the main highways the Government would take them up and make the council pay. He suggested that the Minister and Mr A. M. Samuel, M.P., should be wired to, setting out the circumstances. Better still it would be if the chairman went to Wellington and explained the matter personally. That had been the council’s policy before, and it had acted satisfactorily. ' The chairman considered that the council could put up a wonderfully good case. As the Parliamentary session was about to close, considerable discussion took place as to the best method to adopt. Cr. Mace urged a wire, while other councillors favoured the chairman journeying to Wellington, Cr. Morrison stating that there was nothing like the personal touch. The chairman stated that he could not possibly leave for Wellington that night, so it was eventually decided that an urgent wire should be despatched to Mr Samuel asking when an interview with the Minister could be arranged for prior to the end of the session. Too Late. Some time after the conclusion of the meeting a return wire was received from Mr Samuel stating that Friday, November 8, would be the only day possible. As it was impossible for Cr. Mason to get away in time the matter was deferred.