GREAT SOUTH ROAD.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 82, 8 April 1913, Page 3

GREAT SOUTH ROAD.

Its Upkeep Problem. Road Board Contributions. Doubt about the Subsidy. W. K. Cornthwaite. secretary of the Manngata«hiri Road Board, wrote:-"At the last meeting of the Maungatawhiri Koad Board a discussion tuok place re your counly voting £2OO for the Great Southed, and it was suggested that j.s this road was in a deplorable state from Drury to Pokeno, especially on the hills, that it would not be a bad idea if each Board abutting on the Great South-road tfould subsidise the cuunty's grant of £2OO by, say, a grant of £25 iach, which ought to carry the £ for £ subsidy promised by the Premier. I am authorised by our Boaid to state that they are willing t> g'ant £25 on the following conditions: (a) that the £25 carries £ for £ subidy, (b) that after a fair allocation on the whole of the'read is made of the county's grant of £2OO, the Automobile Association contribution and the Government subsidy; that each Board's grant and subsidy is spent on the road adjoining each Board's district. Pokeno Board, I believe, are quite willing to fall in with the suggestion. However. Mr Lyons can speak for himself at your next meeting. If not considered out of place 1 would suggest that the county approach the other Boards abutting on the Great South-road re similar grants so that the county might have a decent sum to spend." y Mercer Road Board applied tu the Council to put some metal rn the Main South-road in some of the worst places and about the towr ship of Mercer, as the winter wai approaching Bnd there were some nasty holes in places. Cr Lyons said that Mr Cornthwaite spoke to him and his Board voted £25, to carry £ lor £ subsidy, and to be expended en the boundary road of Pokeno district. Be pointed out that eight Road Districts abut'ed on the Great South-road-Drury, Karaka, Paparata, Poker.o, Mercer, Maungatawhiri, Opaheke and Pukekohe East. If these gave £25 each that wuuld be £2OO, so that with the Coi.nty'a £2OO, the Government's subsidy and Automobile Association's grant there would be quite a big sum available. Cr Campbell moved, "i'hat the Road Boards be written to pointing out the advantages of granting the money in this way and asking them each to contribute £25." Cr Flanagan did not think they should stipnlate the sum. Karaka had only 1J miks of the Great South-road. Iheir section was in gcod condition, and it could not be expected that they would pay £25. The road through Opaheke and Pukekohe East was in a frightful condition and there the position was different. Cr Gampbell adopttd Gr Flanagan's suggestion not to fix th« amount, and in its amended form the motion was carried. Cr Flanagan said that Mr Massey appeared to be hedging over the statement reported that the Government would give £ for £ grants, the Prime Ministtr saying that he did not say quite what was reported. He was not sure oi the subsidy, but he nncerstood they would sperd the £2OO passed at the last mteting even if they got rothing else, j- tCr Camchtll: Yes, whether the ■ subsidy comes oi not that money is a n.cesiary expenditure. Cr Lyons said that Mercer Road Board was asking for help ana that should be given, as by the Board dointf the Main South-road thty <vere benefitting the community.-It was decide l ! to let Mercer Board know later on what amount would be a 1 located.