The Beach Road.

Manawatu Herald, 24 September 1896, Page 2

The Beach Road.

♦— — < 'he other day when Councillor itrang visited the Beach Road with he Overseer, with the view of order* Dg the necessary repjira to make it assable, he is said to have raised a [uestion as to the legality of spendog money on that portion which is n the original Herrington Block, iwing to the faot that no public road me was laid out. This is but a rifle, as we think we can satisfacorily show, and which we trust will •eceive the attention of Councillor Sti'ang, as well as the other Councilors of the County. The Eurveyed ■oad to the beach is laid out in the way a great many road lines were lurveyed in the days of old, in a most □convenient position, entailing first x journey to the north to strike a road running seawards, and then a sharp return southwards to reach a point a straight line through the Herrington Block would reach in half the distance, The surveyed road runs down the side of a sandhill which has to be crossed at right angles near the beach, whereas the direct line gdes over level country. To be certain of the legal aspect of the question the County could abandon the surveyed road and take the direct road, but we understand the County doea not like the coat of the necessary formalities. Against the cost of the abandonment must be placed the cost of the formation required on the flurveved road, and we are positive that taking into con ■ sideration every account, the cost of paying for the abandonment would be far the cheapest in the long run. This is very easily tested. But admitting that the County has Done too much money to spare, and that whatever money there is we desire should ba used in road formation, we would suggest thai tho County enter into the same agreement with the owners of the block as the Borough Countiil have dode, whidl i 3, that the owners permit the road to be used by the public on condition that the surveyed road is not used, and on that road being opened up, the road through the block should be stopped or purchased. The County ha 3 thus everything it Wants, as the surveyed road is impassable now, and wiil ba until they alter it, so that they practically determine the length of occupation of the direct road through Herrington Block. The Borough can do no more than they are doing, and it is earnestly to be hoped the County will make an effort to meet the wishes of a very large section of the public who desire a good road to the Ocean Beach.