DEDICATION OF A ROAD.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 297, 18 July 1929, Page 3

DEDICATION OF A ROAD.

WISDOM QUESTIONED. County Council’s Action. The question of the wisdom of accepting a dedication of a road adjoining the property of Mr. C. Morgan, Peria, was before the Matamata County Council at their July meeting, when Messrs. Hampson, Bell and Lochhead wrote stating that the matter would be before the August sitting of the Native Land Court, and asking if tne council were going to be represented, or would they be prepared to agree to dedication.

The county engineer (Mr. M. E

Fitzgerald) stated that the present owners’ father had bought the land from the natives. The Matamata Chamber of Commerce had endeavoured to get this road made a through one, so as to bring business into Matamata. The engineer warned the council that if they did this, ihey would be faced with the notoriously bad hill known as “ Morgan’s.” It at present is a subdivisional road, and dedication should be protested against. Cr. Moir was of the opinion that it would give easiei access to only cne farmer. The chairman said that Mr. Morgan was in a peculiar position, for he had thought that it was a dedicated road and had lost some property as a result. The county engineer stated that when a Native Land Court deals in land it reserves a portion for roading. In reply to a question the chairman said that they cannot force the council to dedicate the road. Cr. Wilson was of the opinion that it would benefit Mr. Morgan most, but would also benefit the settlers at the back. After further discussion it was decided, on the motion of Cr. Cox, to have the council represented at the sitting of the Native Land Court by the council’s solicitors, and the engineer. after various members pointed out the danger of accenting dedication in that it might result in the road being made a through road.