WHITTAKER STREET RESIDENTS ASK FOR FOOTPATH

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4479, 17 July 1930, Page 4

WHITTAKER STREET RESIDENTS ASK FOR FOOTPATH

SUBSIDY OFFERED

At Monday night’s Borough Council meeting Or. S. E. Cowley read the following letter from Whittaker Street residents: — “To assist in providing- work for the unemployed, the resident ratepayers of Whittaker Street are prepared to subscribe a minimum sum of £5, provided the [Council will consent to subsidise this amount, for the purpose of forming up and dressing a footpath on tin l south side of the street as far as the last bouse at present erected. “The resident ratepayers in this street would like to point out'that although rates have been levied on their sections for many years past, not one single penny has been returned to them by way of facilities for approaching their homes, which they contend is a very unfair imposition, and is a condition wliic-h should not be tolerated by any fair-minded person. “The resident ratepayers, however, still hopeful that the Borough Council will extend to them the consideration which is due to them as ratepayers and as citizens, make the offer as before mentioned, that they may he able to assist with the unemployment problem and at (lie same time afford the Borough Council an opportunity of assisting them to obtain tolerable conditions nuder which they can approach their homes during.the wet season of the year. “If it is maitnained by the authorities that Whittaker 'Street is a “private” street, it is pointed out that this street is as old as any in the Borough, and is to be found marked on the earliest survey plans. It has been used as a public street for many years by tradesmen and citizens generally, and by virtue of public usage is as much a. borough street as any other on the borough plans.” In support of the request Cr. Cowley said rates had heeu levied on Whittaker Street residents, lie said, for years and yet not one penny had returned to them by way of facilities they were entitled to which he considered most unfair. The street was in a terrible state.

The Council in the past had held that the street was a private one. 11: so then the sections holders had no frontages and how was it that the Council rated them. Rates were ■based on a frontage basis. Something should now be done to assist the unemployed and residents of Whittaker Street who were prepared to help themselves. Cr. Thompson endorsed (Or. Cowley’s remarks. He had always been sympathetic, lie said, towards Whittaker Street residents. Something should he. done there immediately. The Clerk said the road had never been dedicated. Once the Council did any work on it they accepted dedication.

Cr. Cowley: We get the rates from (lie sections and we should accept dedication. They are only asking for a- footpath as it is impossible to gel out dry footed on a wet night.

It was decided to recommend the work to the unemployed committee.