MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3780, 17 April 1928, Page 2

MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!

COUNTY CHAIRMAN RESENTS CRITICISM.

The Manawatu County Council has been subject to much advei’se criticism through the Press and from Automobile Associations and Chambers of Commerce, in connection with the state of certain main highways under their jurisdiction for the upkeep and maintenance of which motorists are now heavily taxed. Such protests have caused the council, and particularly the chairman, a good deal of imitation.

At yesterday’s meeting of the Council, the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce wrote as to complaints it had received and expressed the opinion that the Council’s action in making detours was quite unnecessary. Traffic should have been allowed to proceed along the side of tlie road to avoid the detour. The Chamber hoped that the Council would at once give instructions to permit traffic along the road. The Wanganui Automobile Association also wrote [protesting a* gainst closing the road and compelling motorists to make detours of six and eight miles.

When these letters were read Cr. W. E. Barber (chairman) exclaimed: “We are not going to take instructions from the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce on these questions.” CR, PERRETT CONCILIATORY. AND EXPLANATORY.

Cr. J. H.’ Perrett said that the allegations that the detours involved travelling an extra six and eight miles were without foundation and it was a great pity, that* the Association had written beforo ascertaining the facts. They did not understand the position—if they did such a letter would nbt have been written. Motorists should be the last to complain , when the Council w,as doing its utmost to lay down good roads. The deviations only involved an additional two or three miles and imposed no hardships on motorists. The County Clerk reported that the Highways Board had insisted upon the .detours in order to ensure the efficient preparation qf. the highway for sealing.

Cr. Perrett said, that the Council was faced with the difficulty of having to use a class of metal which (required special treatment and would not permit of traffic whilst being prepared for sealing. The chairman took exception to the lettey from the Palmerston N. Chamber of Commerce. That body was not acquainted with the facts and the Council did not want their instructions. “The Council had its difficulties to meet and would do so with a bold front realising that ii had to protect the interests of its ratepayers” ocncluded Cr. Barber. i ■' . The letters were received.