THE BEACH ROAD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2393, 16 February 1922, Page 3

THE BEACH ROAD.

COUNTY COUNCIL EXPLAINS POSITION. The local Chamber of Commerce communicated with the County Council after its last meeting in reference to the unsatisfactory state of the Beach Road, and the Chamber has received the following letter in reply: — “I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of Ist inst., which was considered at last meeting of the Council. I am directed to point out that the Beach Road is principally used by persons who are not residents of the Manawatu County, and that, with the exception of a portion of the top end, it is not an essential County road. In this time of financial stringency the Council is compelled to keep these points in view, as funds will not allow otherwise. The following is a. statement of the interest on the loan raised by the bounty for the construction of the road: —Interest payable, £6O; amount received to 30/12/21 from Foxton Harbour Board, £3l 3s 6d. The balance, viz., £29 15s 4d, is paid by the ratepayers of the Awahou Riding. Owing to the system of rating in the County being on the unimproved value, the amount of General rates l-eceived from seaside properties at the Heads is only about £6. The Council is prepared to carry out a certain amount of work on the road, but would suggest that the residents at the Beach should contribute a sum equivalent to that, which would have been received if the rate was struck on the capital value. The Council would then be prepared to subsidise this by a reasonable amount, and tlje money used for road purposes only. Councillor Barber (the councillor for the Awahou Riding) is prepared to attend any future meeting of your Chamber and confer with von on the matter.”