A KOPUTAROA ROAD.

Shannon News, 20 July 1923, Page 3

A KOPUTAROA ROAD.

APPLICATION FOR ASSISTANCE,

At the v meeting of the Horowhenua County Council ,o.n Saturday a deputation of Messrs K. McDonald and W. Nye, who were, introduced by Cr. Broadbelt, waited on the Council to ascertain what assistance they would give to niake the road leading from

trie main road to the river passable at

Koputaroa, The road referred to is the unformed road between Messrs

Newmans and K. Easton on one side and Messrs E. 0. McGill, Ross and Co., and W. Nye on the other side. Some 01 these owners had no access to their properties at the present time. Mr McDonald explained that title deputation represented trie whole of the settlers on this road. Previously to these settlers going in to this locality the land had been held as one block. There were now seven men

interested and so far no provision had Been made to supply them with a road, They were now trying to milk cows, and he, personally had had to lorrn a road for himself, and the whole situation was very inconvenient. They were not asking the Conn-, cil to metal the road or put it into the condition .of a imain thoroughfare, and would be willing to give assistance in the work. Mr Easton who was one of those interested, was agreeable to cart 500 yards of metal and everyone of the other settlers was willing to do something. They wouia be glad if the Council would give them some assistance as soon as possible as they were putting up buildings and needed the road for carting as well as

for an outlet for general purposes. Mr Nye said Mr McDonald had covered the ground pretty well. He. had some property on the proposed road and at present had to go through other people’s property to reach it. Mr Easton was in the position of having to go through the speaker’s property and then through Mr McDonald’s in order to get an outlet. In answer to a question Mr McDonald said he did not know what the road would cost. All they were asking wais that it should be made possible. They wanted mostly to be able to cart their cream out. About males required to be. ! made\ The chairman, Gr. Monk, said that the estimates ha,d been considered at last meeting, and he would be quite frank —they had not taken this road into consideration.. It was quite certain that it could not be made out of revenue. In the old days the County was allowed to overdraw its account, hut this was no longer allowed. He thought that the best thing that could be done was for those interested to form ,ai special rating district and raise a loan for the work. .He especially wished to express, appreciation .of what these people had offered to do towards assisting with the work, but the County was not indhe position. to do much just now. Cr. Broadbelt suggested tfhat the Engineer be asked to inspect the road and make a report. The:Council' would then be in a position to give a definite answer. The Council was in full sympathy with these settlers, tbut it was a general policy that, when new roads like this was required, a Government grant should be procured, or a special loan raised. _ The matter was left tp the Engineer to report on at next meeting.