COUNTY ROADS

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3810, 26 June 1928, Page 2

COUNTY ROADS

FAVOURABLE CRITICISM.

At las! night’s Chamber of Commerce meeting the President (Air •I. Iv. Hornldow) expressed appreciation at the Manawatu County Council’s action in making a start on the preparation of the Foxton Sanson highway. He said that the Chamber "'had, with other local bodies, made many requests to the Manawatu County Council for better roads, and the tar sealing of the Foxton-Sanson highway, and in this respect the Council had had to shoulder a lot of blame. It was pleasing to note that this important work was now being commenced, and as the Chamber had been quick to write the Council over the state of the roads, it was now only fair that they should express appreciation at the commencement of work on the highway. He suggested that the Council should be asked to engage local unemployed wherever possible. Mr Newton said that the engineer (Air Bond) had informed him that Mr W. E. Barber (Chairman) had stipulated that unemployed Foxton men should be given preference.

Air Osborne said that for the last six mouths the Council had had two local men employed on highway worla. ■, Mr D. Christie said that he had been under the impression that the Foxton-Himatangi road was the worst in the North Island, but recently he had been on a motor tour to the north, and the road be tween Wairoa and Te Kuiti was so bad that- the worst part of the Foxton-Himatangi road was better than the best portion of that high-'

way. Mr F. C. Raikes said the Alanawatu County Councillors were all practical men, but they had reached a deadlock in regard to foading -J----work at the present. There was no money available for making roads, and they did not want to increase the rates already imposed. The estimates for the ensuing year were out, and tlifc rates struck, and he understood that the Coucil had not committed the ratepayers to any extensive expenditure, as they did not have the money. He witnessed a demonstration of road making iinachines on the Himatangi road the other day, and they certainly did very good woi-k, but a Councillor informed him that it was problematical whether they could keep the roller going on the highway, owing lo lack of funds. It was not thought advisable to strike a higher rate, as the farmers could not stand it, and consequently they had to do as well as they could with the get more money from the Highways Board. . ~J| The President said that he was of opinion that main highways should he carried out unler the control of a national body, which would allow local bodies such as County Councils to give attention to “feeders.” Air Osborne also expressed his appreciation of the work being one on die Foxton-Himatangi road by the Council. It was decided to forward a letter of appreciation as suggested by the President.