WHITTAKER STREET FOOTPATH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3804, 12 June 1928, Page 3

WHITTAKER STREET FOOTPATH.

IS THE COUNCIL LIABLE?

The much-discussed Whittaker Street was again before the Borough Council at last night’s meeting, when a letter was read from Mr. D. Ball, pointing out the disgraceful state of the Whittaker Street footpath and asking if the Council would put same in order. The Mayor outlined the difficulties attendant on the Council doing anything to this street which was a private one. Before the Council could do anything to Whittaker Street, the owners would have to club together and put it in order in the same manner in which Whyte Street property owners had done. After the road was put in order the Council would take it over and maintain it for all time.

|Cr. Walker ' considered the Council should adopt the attitude of previous Councils and not do anything until the road, was put in order by the property owners. Cr. Cowley pointed out that the road had been opened up by the late Mr. Gray. It was his fault and not the present property owners, some of whom had, perhaps, purchased their properties without any knowledge of roading difficulties. The Council collected more rates as a result of the dividing up of the land and the ratepayers should have some satisfaction. They paid the same rates as people in other parts of the town and should get some benefit in the way of roading and footpaths. The Mayor said he was sympathetic but the property-owners took over the sections in their present state and probably paid less for them on that account. It was not in the interests of the Council to take Whittaker Street over until it was put in order.

The Town Clerk then placed the legal position before the Council, which states that if a body spends any money on a road or street which is not dedicated that body automatically has to take the highway over whether it wants to or not. •- It was decided to place the legal position before Mr. Ball.