GORGE ROAD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 122, 27 April 1925, Page 5

GORGE ROAD.

QUESTION OF GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY. NEGOTIATIONS WITH DEPARTMENT At to-day’s meeting of Hie Gorge Road Board of Control the chuirrnan (Air F. J. Nathan) reported that, when in Wellington, lie waited on the Minister of Public Works (Hon. J. G. Coates), in company with Mr F. W. Furkert (engineer-in-chief) and Mr J. Hannah (district engineer), with reference to the Gorgo road construction, when the wholo position was discussed. On behalf of tho Government, tho Minister had stated that they were never committed to pay a £1 for £1 subsidy on tho engineer’s estimated c05t—£37,963. Air Nathun stated that he had been instructed to say that if the Government did not give the subsidy the board would stop the work as the contributing bodies would object. The Government engineers were inclined to the opinion that tlie work could have been cheapened by cutting the hill and not carrying out such expensive work, Air Nathan remarking that widening on the top end of the gorge had been done and it was found costly on account of slips, etc. “The Minister all the time was sympathetic,” added tlie chairman, “and’ he stated that the position would bo carefully reviewed.” On April 22, continued the chairman, a telegram had been received from Air Coates stating that Cabinet had approved of a. subsidy of £1 for £2, not to exceed £3OOO in all, above tho amount tlie Government had formerly agreed to pay a subsidy 0n—£30,500. After a little discussion it was decided to write the Alinister thanking him for his assistance in the matter: also Air J. A.. Nash AI.P.. for assistance rendered with regard to these negotiations. Tlie chairman was also thanked for his assistance. It was reported that the matter of how much each local body concerned will lm.ye to contribute for the final completion of the road would bo gone into. It was decided to order tho necessary steel and timber for the completion of tho work. BOROUGH COUNCIL'S REQUEST.

Resolutions similar in context were received from both theWaipawa and Woogville Borough Councils: “That, having learnt that the Manawatu Gorge Road Board of Control requires a considerable sum to complete the proposed work in connection with the Manawatu Gorge road, this council is strongly of the opinion that the burden placed upon the contributing local bodies is already far too heavy, and requests the Board of Control not to increase the burden, and if necessary to stop further work on the road. That this council reiterates its opinion that the road should bo taken over by the State and the local bodies relieved of the responsibility as has been done in regard to the roads over the Rimutaka and the Paekakariki hills. That a copy of this resolution bo forwarded to the Minister of Public \\ orks, the member of Parliament for the district, the Manawatu Gorge Road Board of Control, and each of the contributing local bodies, with a request that they bo asked to support same. It was decided to write both councils’ informing them that the matter has been discussed with the Minister and that, the Government, will take no action until the work is completed.