PUKEKOHE WEST ROAD BOARD.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 2, 20 March 1912, Page 3

PUKEKOHE WEST ROAD BOARD.

Monthly Meeting.

The regular meeting of the Pukekohe West Road Board was held on Thursday at the office of the secretary (Mr H G. K. Mason); present, Messrs J. W. Johns (chairman), W. Dunn, T. W. Woodd, K. H West and A. Finlay. WELCOME TO THE "TIMES."

Before proceeding to business the Chairman extended a very hearty welcome to the proprietor of ihe "Pukekohe and Waiuku Times. The establishment of the paper, he said, was a great step in advance and one that had been wanted for some time. The Times would supply a long felt want. The first issue was very good and well up to the mark, and he wished it every success. Mr W. Dunn (ex-Chairman) cordially supported Mr Johns' remarks. The supply of local news would he especially valuable, ln the course of justice, too, probably two-thirds of the cases affected the interest of farmers, and reports of the evidence and judgments would be an education. Then again, the Board was particularly affected so far as their discussions were concerned. The people would learn what members had had to say. Perhaps the newspaper at times might find it to be its duty in bringing members up with a round turn, but even that might prove to be a wholesome restraint. Mr Dunn wished the newspaper every success.

Mr Eames (representing the Times) thanked members for their generous welcome.

WORK IN THE DISTRICT.

A discussion ensued concerning the work in progress, and the feeling was expressed that the work should be hastened in view of the approach of winter. The matter of the coming County administration was mentioned, but members thought it their duty to proceed with whatever work presented itself as necessary. Messrs Johns, Woods and West were appointed, with power to act, to deal with Mi Fausett's contract. "THE BRIDGE" AGAIN.

Two ratepayers dropped in upon the meeting to say they wished to support the Pukekohe Town Board in its endeavour to have the overhead railway traffic bridge erected at the end of King street. Later on a deputation from the Town Board (Commissioners Webster and Dell, and the Board's secretary) waited upon the Board and submitted the petition received by the Town Board.

Mr Webster said they were here on a vexed question, and he proceeded to read the petition the contents of which are on record in the report of the Town board's proceedings). Mr Webster remarked that to have the bridge so wide as the petition suggested was out of the question; the widest they could have the bridge would be 40ft. Commissioner Dell thought they should take a poll upon the matter which could be setttled at a cost of a few shillings. Mr Evans and Mr Rutherford came over from the East to favour the East street crossing, but the speaker said that those gentlemen usually did not use the Pukekohe railway station. He had not seen Mr Evans on the station during his residence of over twenty years, and yet those representatives came in here to oppose what the people most interested desired. The deputation favoured the poll being taken, it being stated that Mr W. Roulston had said to the Minister that half the people who signed the petition were opposed to the deviation to King street. Mr Johns said if they did anything at all they should approach the Government. He would rather wait for the Minister's decision, and if it were against King street they could act afterwards. Mr Dunn said he did not believe in the referendum; it was a coward's refuge, But the reason he made the offer about the poll (to pay the expense if three fifths of the voters did not favor the King street crossing) was that it had been repeatedly said that a majority of ratepayers in Pukekohe and Pukekohe West was against the King street crossing. His offer ought to have made it plain to Mr Millar what the Town Board and West Road thought of the matter The poll might be evidence to Mr Millar, but the speaker did not think it would do much good Mr Johns again urged that in view of the loss by shifting the station, the Minister should put the crossing at the most convenient point, so as to give ihe easiest means of access to the new station. Members of both bodies appeared to be unanimously of the view that the ratepayers should not be asked to give one third of the total cost. It was decided, That the petition be mentioned to the Hon. Mr Millar, asking if he was satisfied that the Board's view favouring King street, as suppoited by a majority of Board and West Road Board residents; if he was not so satisfied would he or would he not be guided by the result of a formal poll if such were taken, and place ths bridge upon the site favored by the majority of the ratepayers of the Town district and the West Road Board district In the event of the reply justifying further action a committee of Messrs Johns and Dunn (Road Board) was elected to meet the Town Board to take action.