THE BEACH ROAD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 827, 16 April 1910, Page 2

THE BEACH ROAD.

As we reported in our last issue, the Manawatu County Council decided at its last meeting to ask the ratepayers to sanction a loan to cover one-third of the cost of a road to the Foxton Beach, provided the balance is raised by the Government and other bodies interested. The total sum for the work not to exceed It was stated at the meeting that the sum above mentioned would be required to make a good job of it. We have been informed, however, that the estimate for the work is excessive. That point need not be discussed now. The method adopted by the Council of raising the loan appears somewhat crude, and throws two-thirds of the initiatory responsibility of raising the loan upon local bodies whose jurisdiction is outside the road area in question. We do not desire to create the impression that the County Council should bear the whole of the cost, for we think if they shoulder one-third, and are responsible for maintenance, it is all that can reasonably be expected of them. Further, the road will not benefit county ratepayers to the same extent as local tradesmen and residents, and Harbour Board and Bauds Department lessees. As a matter of fact, the rates collected by the Manawatu County in the area through which the road passes is under £1 per annum,,

What we suggest should have been done was tor the Council to have ascertained the definite amount each interested body would contribute approximating the cost at ,£2OO0 —and failing an equitable adjustment of the loan for the responsible body to authorise the work and cite the other bodies before a commission.

The Harbour Board has already signified its willingness to contribute, and the Board’s lessees are anxious to be loaded for this purpose ; a majority of the Borough Councillors are in favour of bearing a portion of the cost —although no imouut has been specified—and it only remains to find out what the Lands Department will contribute. Unless the Mauawatu Council deal with the matter in a comprehensive manner, this necessary work will be hung up for an indefinite period.