BANKS’ ROAD.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 250, 16 August 1928, Page 4

BANKS’ ROAD.

A LOST RECORD. £25 to be Spent. In a blunt and pointed letter Mr. E. C. Banks, Matamata, referred to an amount of £3O which had been mentioned at a Matamata County Council meeting at his contribution to the construction of his road. The writer stated that he found that the actual amount was £174 10s, and since then about £9OO had been j contributed in rates by those to whom he had sold and by himself. For this sum work to the value of £IOO had been done, and the writer stated that the council knew best what had become of the rest of the money. At present there were four milk waggons and four motor cars continually using the road, the whole of which was in a wretched state. About £SO was required for sanding at the moment, and if half the rates collected were then spent on it a good road would result. Cr. Wilson stated that Mr. Banks was on the council when the money was paid over, and only part of the work had been done. Mr. Banks had stated that the money had been wasted, but then he was on the works committee when it was spent. (Laughter.) The clerk said the matter went back eight years. The engineer said there was no record to show what the £174 was for. Cr. Judd thought the council should finish the work.

The chairman thought sanding was not included and that there was a cutting or two on the road. Cr. Wilson said Mr. Banks wanted 20 chains sanded as he had sold the property below. The Chairman : The responsibility now rests with us as we have taken over the road. He is now in the position of an ordinary ratepayer. The engineer explained that all the £174 had been spent but that there was no record of how the amount was arrived at. Cr. Allen thought Mr. Banks had carried out his part of the bargain and now the council should do its part. Cr. Rollett said the council accepted the £174 as a condition when taking over the road. Cr. Wilson said part of the money had been spent; and the balance on j maintenance. He moved that £25 be spent from riding funds on the road. I Cr. Darby seconded this motion, | i which was carried unanimously.