BEACH ROAD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2416, 11 April 1922, Page 3

BEACH ROAD.

COUNCIL DECIDES NOT TO CONTRIBUTETOWARDS UPKEEP.

At last night’s Council meeting a - letter was received from the Mana.i' watu-County Council, stating that K the Foxton Chamber of Commerce •v. had recommended the Fotxon Borough; Council paying an equitable proportion of the cost of maintenance of the Beach Road, and asking if the Council were prepared to do this.

Cr. Smith said that the County Council had not taken up the matter as the Chamber had intended, and said that he considered that it would be advisable to write to the County Council and ask what they considered a fair basis to work on. This would also give the Chamber of Commerce a chance of discussing the matter further. He would move in that direction. He pointed out that the Manawatu County Council received only £6 a year rates from the Beach. Cr. Barber had informed the Chamber that the County Council couldn’t spend more than they received without some assistance. The Beach residents had been told that if they contributed towards he maintenance, the Manawatu County Council was willing to subsiside this. Cr. Smith added that Foxton derived a benefit from the seaside, and used the road, and it was, only fair that the Borough Council should assist in the maintenance. Cr. Ross said that it was only a fair thing to help with the maintenance. The Council had stood half the cost of constructing the road, and should bear a proportion of cost of maintenance. When the road was first laid down, the Manawatu County Council was receiving £49 a year in rates from the Beach. It now received £6. Last year they spent £72 on the road. The Council should contribute something, as the Beach was a local asset.' It was moved by Cr. Smith, seconded by Cr. Ross, that a letter be written to the Manawatu County Council asking what they consider an equitable basis on which the Council should contribute. Cr. Whibley said that the position was that when the agitation was afoot to make the road, the Borough Council was approached, and while tlie3’ recognised that, the road was out of their district, they were prepared half the loan, £1,250, provided the Manawatu County Council maintained the road. He considered that the Borough Council did not get a square deal out of the

making of the road as the Manawatu County Council had p\it half again as much metal on the road than was . necessary; Before the Council considered spending money on roads outside their district they should first put their own house in order. When rating on the unimproved value came into force the Manawatu County Council should have arranged the rating so as to bring in the same am- \ ount out of the ridings. He also pointed out that the Manawatu County Council had made no suggestion as to what should be contributed. The whole thing came from the Chamber of Commerce, and he considered it should be the last thing that they should do to try and put extra expense on the Council. If the Council agreed to pay half the maintenance, what was the good of the original agreement? It would not be fair to the ratepayers to suggest it.

An amendment was moved by Cr. Whibley, seconded by the Mayor, that the Manawatu County Council be informed that this Council is not prepared to contribute anything towards the maintenance of the Beach Road. ' The Mayor said that he agreed with Cr. Whibley. He believed in the sacredness of agreements. The Council agreed to pay its share of construction, but not maintenance. The road had been well laid down, and half the .cost had been paid by the Council. If the Council agreed to the motion it meant that the Council was committing itself. Re Cr. Ross’ statement about the rates. It was not a fair thing to ask the Borough Council to pay for the County’s losses. If they had derived £49 previously, the sections must have been grossly under-valued when the * change from capital to unimproved value came into force. "Cr. Martin said he was up against spending money out of the borough. They wanted footpaths, etc., in the borough. He noticed amongst those .who had said that money was too tight when he advocated better roads, etc., one who now wanted to >. spend money on roads outside the borough. He hoped the people ftould keep a record of these inconsistencies and take notice of them at . the next, election. Some of the councillors were willing to help the Manawatu County Council and leave the ratepayers to wallow home in mud during the winter. The Chamber of Commerce should stiek by the Borough (Council. The Council were abiding by their original agreement. Cr. Walker said he was opposed to the Council doing anything in the matter. Cr. Smith said he did not wash to commit the Council, he merely wished to leave the matter open, so that the Chamber of Commerce would have a chance to further discuss it. The amendment was carried, Crs. Ross and Smith voting against.