The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, July 19, 1910. THE BEACH ROAD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 867, 19 July 1910, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, July 19, 1910. THE BEACH ROAD.

Mr Edward Newman M.P., is urging the Government to place sums on the estimates for draining the Pilot Reserve, at present leased to Messrs Robinson Bros., and known as the “Round Bush.” Its correct name, by the way, is Oamarupapaku. He is also asking for a grant for raising the road near Mangawhatu and for a subsidy of £7OO for constructing the road to the Heads. The latter request, at least from a local point of view, is the most urgent and we See no reason why the Government should not accede to it because Te Wharangi, which adjoins the Harbour Board’s endowment, is built upon by the Band Department’s tenants, who are entitled to a road giving them access to their holdings. When these sections were submitted lor settlement the plan showed certain public roads which have never been formed. We do not think the Government will shirk its share of the responsibility in having this road formed now that the other local bodies interested are moving in the matter, and we hope to see the subsidy asked for by Mr Newman placed upon the Estimates, Mr Newman informs us that the subsidy asked for will be contingent upon the local bodies interested contributing the two-thirds of the balance required.

Several tenants at the Beach have asked us whether it is true that the Foxton Borough Council intends to dodge its share of responsibility in respect to this road. This remark was occasioned by a perusal of the report of the last meeting of the Borough Council when a resolution was passed arranging for a conference with the County representative. We have previously pointed out that the County has definitely stated that it will bear one third of the cost. In April last, it informed the Borough Council (in reply to a letter from the latter body asking what the County Council was prepared to do) that the road would cost approximately and that it was prepared to ask the ratepayers to sanction one-third of the cost up to this amount. In order to secure the loan it may be necessary for either the County Council or Borough Council to give security for the Harbour Board’s share — which is practically a third —as the road is being urged principally at the request of the Board’s tenants. This phase ol the question, which presents manyjtechnical difficulties, will have to be finally settled before application is made for the loan.