THE BEACH ROAD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 842, 21 May 1910, Page 3

THE BEACH ROAD.

DISCUSSED BY HARBOUR BOARD.

At Wednesday’s meeting of the Harbour Board, held at Palmerston North, the question of the formation of the much discussed road to the beach was again brought forward. It was mentioned by Mr Mounsey, who acted as spokesman of the deputation from the lessees of sections at the beach* He said that he understood that the Manawatu County Council had signified its willingness to contribute onethird ot the cost of the road provided the other local bodies interested, or the Government would find the balance. A meeting of section holders at the beach had been held and they were quite willing to contribute ten shillings per annum each towards the cost of the road. He also understood that the tenants at the Sanatorium were willing to contribute a like sum.

Mr Wilson said that he did not think that the tenants in offering ten shillings per annum were offering enough. Considering the benefits they would derive from such a road he did not think £1 per annum would be too much. At the last meeting of the Board the clerk had submitted a scheme of rating, based on his own valuations, for the beach sections whereby sufficient revenue would be obtained to pay the interest on a loan for the work. However he had gone thoroughly into the matter and considered the valuations put on the properties by the clerk were far too high. At the last meeting ot the Council the resolution passed at a previous meeting of the Harbour Board asking that a fresh valuation be made of the properties in the vicinity of the Heads, was read. But he would point out that it was not within the County Council’s power to have a re-valuation ot a portion of any riding made. They would have to have a re-valuation of the whole riding. Mr Barber, the representative of the riding in question, has offered to put before his ratepayers a proposal to borrow one-third of the amount required to complete the work, provided the other local bodies interested would find the balance. He thought this was a very generous offer, as very few of the ratepayers in tire riding would derive any benefit at all from the road, and further, the whole upkeep would have to be met by the Manawatu County. Then there was another matter that would have to be considered and that was what security was there to offer for a loan ? He suggested that the tenants at the Heads should sign a petition, asking the Manawatu County Council to rate them in order that a loan might ba raised on the security of that rate.

Mr Mouusey saicl the tenants were agreeable for the Harbour Board to collect the rale at the same time as the rent. If necessary, they were also agreeable to pay np to fifteen shillings each per annum.

Nothing definite in regard to the road was decided by the Board, but a motion agreeing to their request in reference to rent for the last term of their lease was carried subject to their paying a minimum of ten shillings per annum each towards the cost of the road.