FINANCE FOR SUBWAY

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 511, 5 March 1920, Page 3

FINANCE FOR SUBWAY

BOROUGH AND COUNTY. REGRETTABLE RELATIONSHIPS. , RECIPROCITY REQUIRED. The Mayor of Pukekohe (Mr. C. K. Lawrie) and Cr. A. P. Daysh and Mr. Jas. Roulston waited oa the Franklin County Council yesterday, asking for assistance in making and metalling a road leading to the proposed subway. The road site was in the borough, but the stocl came from the county. The cattle, the Mayor said, at present came across a narrow bridge and through a busy thoroughfare. This condition must be eliminated. Mr. Daysh, as chairman of the Borough Council Works Committee, said the bridge was the only connecting link between east and west, and in consideration of the fact, that the stock all came from the county, he hoped the County Council would assist and make the road. The position was now absolutely dangerous, and perhaps the traffic of stock across the Manukau Road bridge would have to be stopped in the daytime. Mr. Roulston, president of the Winter Show Committee, stressed the great advantage the subway would be to exhibitors, and the danger and inconvenience of the preser+ ro^tp.

The chairman (Cr. W. Claud Motion) expressed pleasure that the subject was progressing. Unfortunately, the Borough had not, in the past, under the late mayor, met the council 'in a conciliatory spirit, and had insisted on their pound of flesh when boundaries were being settled. And rerpnt.lv, in fppard t" th°/* >, "«- tric lighting scheme, the County Council's deputation had been made a fool of. However, he would rather return good for evil, and if a plan of the proposed work and estimates of cost for a good job were submitted, the. County Council woui<* favourably consider the matter. A good road, jvith first-cl-iss fences, would be essential. The county could not be committed to any expenditure unless it was known precisel-/ what it would be committing itself to.

The Mayor replied that the district enj.ineer wanted a reply right away, but this coold not be done unless the county's attitude were known definitely. The cost would probably be at'least £6OO, including £3OO for land. The Government would provide the subway. Cr. Wilcox said the subway would be no good if the swamp land on the east side was not metalled. The Mayor replied that £IBOO was placed on thp )<>:.n estimates f'»r that road. Cr. Wilcox: That is very good. The deputation then withdrew. Cr. Montgomerie submitted that the burden should come on the borough alone. The borough did not contribute anything towards county and as it was to the interests of the borough to keen the saleyards in the borough, they should be prepared to pay. It seemed to him that the borough should be abolished and merged in the county.—(Laughter). The chairman admitted thnt the work would be an advantage to the county. Crs. Wilcox and Woods contended that the subway would not be of anv particular advantage to the stock owners.

Cr. Lockwood argued that the boot should he on the other foot, and borouchs and town districts should assist, with roads leading to their centres. This was the attitude taken up bv commissions in assessing for contributions. The chairman pointed out that there would be difficulty in deciding what ridings should nay the contribution, for certainly the subway would not benefit the whole county equally. Also, the proportions each riding should pay was another moot point. U was finally agreed that the stock owners of the whole county would use the subway more or less. Cr. Reid said that the Waiuku Town District carried a lot of county traffic, but the board d'id not ask for assistance. The Borough Council turned the County Council down Vvhenever assistance was required for boundary roads. Cr. Thomas, while regretting the borough attitude on boundary road questions in the past, remarked that it would only be a matter of a ten pound note for each riding. Finally, it was decided to contribute £l5O, provided that the borough met the council in regard to boundary road propositions it had refused in' the past, the chairman adding that it would not be in the interest of the county as a whole to refuse assistance. The offer was contingent on the borough linking up with metal to the metalled road in the Paerata riding leading to the borough boundary: and other road, similarly placed. If the borough met the county reasonably in these matters, the county might then increase the contribution. Hamilton's Road was also specified, nnd the county would I pay half cost for Beatty's Road.