MOTUEKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 60, 11 March 1902, Page 3

MOTUEKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

><L °— c A special meeting of the Motueka r Borough Council was held on Friday evening. Present : Messrs Simpson, Ryder, Sathetley, Wcatt and Knapp. Or Wratt, who w*is voted to the chair, explained the object of the meeting, namely, to consider conditions to be made in connection wtih proposed street through the Northwood Estate.

The chairman said he had not altered the opinion expressed by him at the meeting od the previous Monday when the question was fully discussed. He did not see why the Council should be put to any expense in connection with the formation of the street through the Fearon estate, which would undoubtedly enhance the value of the property. In any case, the corporation had no money to do the work. He did not wish to throw cold water upon the proposal to cut up the estate. It was for them to decide as to a reply to the Trustees in reference to the conditions under which they would be willing, in the future, to take over the street. Cr Satberley pointed out that in the ev6nt of other estates being cut up, if they, as a Council gave concessions in this instance, a precedent would be established and the owners would say that if they did it for one they should do it for the others. That would mean a great expense ; at present the Council have enough roads to look after. Ci Sunpson said the Trustees would never have laid out the street if they

had not thought the estate would benefit by it, and the Trustees must have known at the time what they were liable for in connection with the formation of the street. The Council would not be benefited to any great extent. It was not wise to be too easy in this matter. Later on the Council if they thought fit, could contribute towards the metalling of the street. It was not compulsory on the part of the owners to make it a public street. Ci* Simpson moved the following resolution. That permission having been given to the executors of the late E. Fearon to lay out a pt ivate street through the property known as Northwood, in the Borough of Motueka, this Council desires the trustees of the said estate to understand that the Council will not declare the said private street a public street under clause 233 unless the trustees or owners of the land abutting on such private street, form the same to a width of 25 feet, and metal the same to a width of 14 feet, with gravel or shingle to a depth of 6 inches in the

centre, and 4 inches at the sides, will construct all culverts to a width of 35 feet, necessary to carry the ordinary storm water. That upon the trustees or owners agreeing to do the foregoing works, this Council undertakes to have the said street declared a puplic street under clause 233 of the Municipal Corporations Act 1900. Cr Knapp, in the absence of Cr Moffatt (who sent an excuse for his absence) moved the following amendment, That the Council will declare the same a public street subject to above conditions—-provided the gravelling clause be deleted—all work to be done to the satisfaction of the Couneil’ £

overseer.” He supported the amendment because it was in the line of progress, and he would be no bar to advancement. It would benefit the Borough if the estate was settled upon. The opening of the road would, to a certain extent, direct the traffic from the main street. He would move the amendment to test the feelings of the Councillors.

Cr Ryder was satisfied they v.-ere doing the right thing in passing the motion. By so doing they would not jam the Trustees in any way; the Council had no wish to place any obstacles in their “way, The road would be of po direct benefit to anyone except to residents in the locality, and he did not think the ratepayers would approve of any special concessions being made. If they made them in this instance and other blocks were cut up the owneis thereof would expect to be treated in a similar manner.

There being no seconder to Cr Knapp’s amendment it lapsed. The motion was then put and carried the only member voting against it being Cr. Knapp. This concluded the business.