THE BEACH ROAD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 811, 10 March 1910, Page 3

THE BEACH ROAD.

DISCUSSED BY HARBOUR BOARD.

At Tuesday night’s Harbour Board meeting correspondence was read from the Clerk of the Manawatu County Council advising, that the Council was considering ways and means for constuction of the Foxton Beach Road, and asking if the Board would assist the Council financially 'to carry out the proposed work. The Chairman pointed out that according to section 142 of the Harbour Act, a Board may contribute towards the cost of constructing a road similar to the one in question. He said that some said that some years back when the question had been discussed the Manawatu County Council’s engineer estimated the cost at ,£2OOO, but he was allowing for a road to be cut through the sandhills. He (Mr Hennessy) did not think that the cost would exceed to Mr Nash moved that the County Council be informed that this Board is willing to consider the matter of contributing a subsidy annually towards interest and sinking fund on a loan for the work, but require an estimate of the cost, and also information as to the amount of rates that would be ikely to be collected from the ections at the Beach and adjoining properties. Mr Gardener didn’t think that the Board should commit itself too far. Further information should be obtained as to amount of loan etc. If any local body should vote a subsidy lor the work it should be the Foxton Borough Council. The Board’s leases had new been sold and they would get no direct benefft for the expenditure, and he objected to them binding themselves to voting an annual subsidy. Mr Wood in seconding the motion said that he considered it was the duty of the Board to help the tenants.

Mr Stiles agreed with Messrs Nash and Wood. He knew it was the duty of the Foxton Borough Council to assist but the burden should be spread over all who are likely to benefit.

Mr Gardener said that the Mauawatu County Council were now collecting rates on the properties, and as the properties increased in value so would the rates increase. In a few years time there may be sufficient revenue from this source to provide for the loan and yet if the Board plcgcd itself to a yearly subsidy they would still have to continue paying it. He was of opinion that this subsidy should be on a graduated scale, reducible as the rates increased.

The motion on being put was carried, Mr Gardener alone dissenting.